Page 78 of Shackled By the Mafia Boss

“They’re not. Never where,” Dante answers from where he is sitting. He’s just as annoyed as Vincent is. “They’ve been our enemies all along and we think Victor is responsible for your parents’ death. Of course, you wouldn’t know that when you’re fucking a new pussy every night rather than being there for your family.”

Dante’s word must’ve gotten to Vincent because he looks really sober right now. “What do you mean he killed our parents?”

“It’s exactly what you heard, kid. Stop acting like a child and get your shit together. If anything happens while we’re gone, you’ll need to take care of the family and businesses, do you understand?”

Vincent drags his gaze to Dominic. “No, I don’t. I don’t fucking understand any of this bullshit you’re saying.”

“You’re almost thirty, stop acting like a fucking kid, will you?” Dominic finally lowers himself on a one-seater between me and Dante. “Do you think this is some joke? We’re all risking our lives tonight to make sure everything goes smoothly for our family.”

“No one asked you to risk your life.” Vincent props his legs on the glass coffee table at the center of the room. “Maybe if the two of you had given up being part of the mafia after Mom and Dad died, we wouldn’t be here. Don’t you feel sorry for your family upstairs? What if you die? Lucas had barely spent two years with you as his father and your daughter will grow up without a father.”

“We didn’t choose this life, Vincent. This life chose us and we cannot escape from it.” I point my finger at him. “Even you cannot escape it. Get that into your fucking head.”

“How about you two find someone else to watch Elena and the kids. I have plans tonight and I refuse to be part of this bullshit.” He stands up and strides to the door.

“Get your ass back here and sit.”

Vincent stops at the door, but he doesn’t return to his seat at Dominic’s command. His jaw clenches, his nostrils flare. Vincent lived a sheltered life as a kid. Dominic and I protected him from the brutality and the reality of the mafia.

Safe to say, I regret that choice now. The kid has grown into a man who is scared of his own shadow, running and denying the world he knows he cannot escape from. He’ll always be part of the Cosa Nostra, not even his stubbornness will change that.

“I am your Capo and you will not walk away from me,” Dominic drawls. “As your brother, I will walk through fire for you. But as your Capo, I won’t let you disrespect me in front of my men.”

Vincent turns around. “I am not part of the Cosa Nostra and you are not my Capo. I’m only agreeing to this because I care about Elena and the kids.” He returns to his seat, resting back and spreading his arm along the upholstered armrest.

“How many men do we have for tonight?” Dominic asks, looking at Dante.

“Three dozen,” Dante replies. “They’re waiting outside.”

Antonio’s phone buzzes and he excuses himself to answer it. When he returns, his shoulders droop and the expression on his face is all I need to know there is something wrong.

Before he can say anything, my phone rings. I remember the number on my screen from the last call I received. “What do you want now?”

“No greetings? You have to learn some manners, young man.” Victor laughs. “We’re meeting in an hour, aren’t we?”

“Am I supposed to give you an answer?”

“Rude as always. I wonder if that is because you grew up without your father’s guidance?” He pauses. “I’ll let that slide though. I have something you might want to see. Something precious, if I dare say so myself.”

A bite back a groan. “Stop playing around, old man. Say what you want to say or I’ll hang up.”

“Why not say hello to her?”

I hear a voice in the background, a scream which makes my blood curdle.

Jane

Why does Victor have Jane? “Don’t you fucking touch a hair on her, you fucking bastard. I’ll dig your heart out and feed it to you if you do.”

He snorts. “You’re not in a position to make threats, but I am.” He orders someone to gag Jane. “Consider this a warning. Try anything stupid and her dead body will be waiting for you outside. And maybe after my men have had turns with her.”

I keep the phone pressed to my ear after he hangs up. My pulse is racing, my veins icy and my heart constricting so hard that pain splinters through my chest.

“What did the bastard say?” When I don’t answer, Dominic directs his question to Antonio. “What happened?”

“He has Jane.”

“Shit.” Dominic massages his temple. “Didn’t she have security?”

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