Page 69 of Shackled By the Mafia Boss

“You need to tell her the truth, Chief,” Antonio says in a serious voice. “I’m not an expert. Fuck, I’d rather fuck a thousand more whores than be tied down by a woman, but if there’s anything I know, it’s that you won’t be happy knowing she hates you.”

I aim at my target again. “I’ll be happy knowing she’s safe.”

I see his brows draw together from the corner of my eye. I know what he’s about to ask before he even asks it.

“Safe from whom?”

“A detective trying to solve a murder case. All the evidence pointing at us?” I pull the trigger, the sound of the shot muffles through the earplugs I’m wearing. “Does it stir up any memories? ‘Cause it sure does for me.”

There’s a taste of nostalgia on my tongue, it tastes really bitter.

“Victor is after her?”

I’m not sure if he’s asking or stating, but I nod anyway. “Yes, that fucker is after her. We’ll be at war with the Camorra soon, it’s best not to show them any weaknesses to latch onto. And the farther she is from me, the safer she becomes.”

My encounter with Chief Smith a few days ago was fruitful in a really annoying way. I found out the strings Victor had pulled behind the scenes. He knew who Jane was, he’d hoped to keep us busy using her, then dispose of her when he wanted to and attack us when we were least prepared.

He’d also used his own nephew—Rodriguez—for his silly games and disposed of him when he became useless.

Fucking animal.

Antonio's voice holds a note of concern. “If Victor's after her, we need to get her out of the city, Chief. Keep her safe until things cool down."

I lower my weapon, my mind churning with conflicting emotions. “No. She won't leave. Not without answers.”

“She won't leave because she thinks you killed her father!” Antonio's frustration is palpable. “If you want to keep her safe, then you have to be honest with her. She needs to know who to avoid to stay safe. You’re only putting her in more danger by keeping the truth from her.”

A surge of regret washes over me. Antonio is right, Jane deserves the truth. It doesn’t matter if she believes me or not, or if I never win her trust back. But keeping her safe is my priority at the moment. “I have to make things right.”

Antonio shakes his head. “Yes. You need to make things right, but she’ll only believe you if you tell her everything that happened. And that includes Rodriguez.”

I hesitate, the memories flooding back in vivid detail. Victor's betrayal, the confrontation that led to her father's death. I had been part of it all, but I hadn't been the one to deliver the fatal shot. Guilt claws at me for the role I played in taking her father away from her.

“I can't undo what's been done. Telling her the truth doesn’t I’ll regain her trust. It doesn’t change the fact I lied to her and kept the truth away from her,” I mutter, more to myself than to Antonio.

“Maybe not, but you can at least keep her safe,” Antonio urges. “You owe her that much.”

With a heavy sigh, I holster my gun and make a decision. “Find her. Bring her to the penthouse.”

Antonio nods. He tucks his gun in his holster and as he leaves to carry out my orders, I brace myself for my meeting with Jane. I’d thought we’d never see each other again when I walked out on her last night.

After I returned home, I’d brooded all night, unable to sleep and loathing myself for the hurt I’d caused her.

Despite the hate I’d seen in her eyes, she couldn’t bring herself to hurt me. Her hands shook when she pointed the gun at me, and I could see the conflict in her eyes.

Hours pass before Antonio returns, escorting Jane into my penthouse. Her green eyes hold a mix of anger and confusion as she faces me.

Her eyes are red and swollen, she’d been crying. Guilt slashes through me at the pain in her eyes. Pain I caused.

I gesture for her to sit on one of the sofas across from mine.

She crosses her arms over her chest, refusing to sit. “Why am I here” Her voice is tense and it cracks when she speaks.

Taking a deep breath, I meet her gaze. “Because I need to tell you the truth, Jane. About what really happened to your father.”

Her eyes widen in disbelief. “The truth? You mean to tell me you didn't kill my father?”

I nod solemnly, feeling the weight of guilt pressing against my chest. “I was involved, but I didn't kill him.”

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