Owned by the mafia boss

ALESSIO

“Alessio, let’s think this through.”

“We’ve had this discussion a million times. He kidnapped my wife. He’s a dead man.”

“Vinn didn’t say he would hurt her. Right?” Michael flexed his hands, his breath billowing in white clouds. “He wouldn’t do that. He likes Mia. I’m just-we shouldn’t assume the worst.”

I paused, ankle-deep in sleet as we trekked along the highway, under cover of trees. “I’m going to kidnap your kids, drive them to the sticks, and tell you to meet me there unarmed. And then we’ll see how reasonable you’ll be.”

He grimaced. “Point taken.”

We’d parked half a mile away, hoping we’d catch Vinn unawares, but the cabin stood on an open plain near the reservoir. We wore black among a blanket of snow.

“Six fucking years, I’ve known this bastard.” I’d debated whether to bring my rifle, but I wasn’t the best marksman and couldn’t accept that risk. “If you have a shot, take it.”

“I’m not executing my cousin without talking to him first.”

All you Costas are worthless.

This could end up with two bodies instead of one, and I didn’t want to kill Michael.

“Why are you defending him?”

“Because he’s like a brother to me! You’re both my brothers! All I’m asking is that we think about it before killing him. Nico won’t like that you didn’t ask his permission.”

“If Vinn doesn’t give a shit about the rules, why should I?”

“Nico will be pissed!”

“Vinn’s not leaving me with any other option!”

“And then what?” Michael demanded. “I plan both your funerals? Listen to you, you dumb fuck. You can’t murder Vinn and expect to live out your days. He’s a Costa. You’re not! He’s family. You’re an outsider.”

That slashed through my armor and stabbed me.

“You’re my family.” Michael’s hand rolled over my shoulder and squeezed. “I’ll never forget what you and Mia did. I don’t care what your last name is, but they do.”

“Get off me and go back to the car.”

“Alessio-”

I wasn’t taking any chances. “You’ve lost my trust. Out of my face.”

“Don’t do this, man. Please-”

Deafening booms cracked across the plain, and the sound burst through me. Gunshots.

He killed her.

The agony ripped out my guts as I sank into the snow. Horror had buckled my knees and wouldn’t let me up.

A desperate scream I’d never uttered before tore from my mouth, and then it dwindled into a low moan. The sharpest misery sliced me to the bone. Already, the echo of her death faded.

She’s gone.

“No.”

“Fuck.” Michael grabbed my arm as the air left my lungs, his lips white and shaking. “She might be still alive-come on!”

She wasn’t, and I wanted to die.

I allowed him to pull me upright and drag me into a stumbling jog that became an all-out sprint. I’d rip him apart.

She was my life, and he’d killed her.

“Alessio, hold on! Let’s go through the windows.”

I crashed into the door. It swung wide open. I expected the body to be hers, but Vinn sat on the floor. Blood painted his neck. Mia stood in her cocktail dress, unhurt.

Alive.

I yanked her into my chest and checked her head, her shoulders, arms, legs. Nothing.

She was fine.

“The gunshots,” I breathed into her hair, whispering. “I thought you were dead.”

She faced me, lip trembling. “I shot him.”

“What?”

My gears ground to a halt as I mentally combined the gun and Vinn, who didn’t meet Michael’s probing gaze.

Michael greeted the scene with a widening grin. “She got you?”

Vinn groaned. “Fuck you.”

I slipped from my coat and wrapped her in the wool. The agony of losing her slowly ebbed, and the sweetest relief flooded my soul.

“Put it down, Mia.”

I flipped the safety before loosening the Glock from her grip. Then I held her hand, leading her outside.

“What happened?”

Mia’s brunette waves tossed in the breeze as she searched me as though looking for approval. “I shot him. I had to.”

“You’re crazy.” I cupped her face, my voice breaking. “You reckless, brave, incredible girl. He’s a former Marine. You could’ve died.”

“He threatened you. I had no choice.”

She did it for me.

“I thought he killed you, and that I was too late. I wanted to die with you.”

Mia threaded her fingers through my hair, her brown eyes swimming with tears. “Don’t say that.”

“Mia, there is no life without you. I love you. I fucking love you.”

Mia dove into my arms with a sob. “I love you, too.”

“I’m so sorry I left you there.”

She gripped my neck and pressed into me. “Ask me how I knew that I love you.”

“How?”

“Because when I found out that I’m pregnant, I was so happy.”

A hole seemed to open under my feet, and I fell through.

“You’re kidding.”

“I’m pregnant.”

Wild happiness exploded from the very center of me. I wanted to drown her in thousands of kisses. I wanted to rip off all her clothes and fuck her. I wanted to do anything but leave.

“Let’s go home, and I’ll show you the results. We’re having a baby.”

She filled my heart with that word. She loved me. She did everything to keep me out of trouble, and I wished I could let her.

“How far along?”

“I’m nine weeks. I’ve known since the hospital visit.”

“The wedding,” I realized with a gasp. “And I’m just now finding out?”

“You’re never around! There’s always a crisis.” She sounded so bitter and unhappy, but her eyes glowed with warmth. “The doctor claimed it was probably a miscarriage. The last thing you needed was that on your plate, too. When they detected a stronger heartbeat later, I tried to tell you. But we never had a spare minute alone. My plan was to do it at Sanctum, but…”

“I fucked up Anthony instead. I’m sorry.”

“You’ll be a dad, and I need you to stop flying off the handle. Do what’s right by us, not whatever you feel like.”

“I am doing what’s right by you.”

“Not if you murder him.”

“What do you think will happen if I let Vinn go?”

“Do it for me!” Mia grabbed my jacket, no longer crying with the same tortured sobs that made me want to collapse. “Walk away. You can’t do this forever. You know it’s true. They don’t want you. You’ll never be a Costa. You’re nothing to them, but you’re everything to me. I’m the one who can’t live without you,” she said brokenly. “I’m your family.”

I would be a father.

I was her everything. I’d never been that to anyone.

“I’ll do better.”

“You have to.”

I swallowed hard. “I’ll drive Vinn and Michael to New York and meet with Nico. And-and then I’ll say I’m done.”Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

“Really?” Her lip quivered. “You mean it?”

“I do.”

But there was no guarantee Nico would let me leave.

I PUT Vinn in the trunk.

I’d bound his wrists and ankles. I hoped the bastard felt every pothole from here to New York.

When we were five miles from our destination, I pulled over to a deserted parking lot and released Vinn. We got back into the car and managed not to murder each other for the rest of the way. I’d kept my feelings locked into a steel drum. But when we arrived at the visitation room, and Nico sat at the table, my throat closed.

I was nervous.

God help me. I couldn’t disappoint the only man whose opinion I valued. I’d let him down. He would fucking hate me, and I dreaded it.

“How are you, kid?”

I sat beside him. “I hurt Anthony. He assaulted my wife, and I gave him a nasty beating. Don’t worry, he’s fine. If you can call his normal, drug-addicted self fine. I paid for his hospital visit, but I am through with Anthony. For good.”

“Where were you?” he roared, snapping at Vinn. “I told you to watch my son!”

“He was kidnapping Mia.”

“What?”

“Vinn is a lying scumbag who planned to kill me, but I’m willing to move past that as I have with the many attempts on my life. I’m not here for retribution. Nico, I can’t do this anymore. I’m sorry, but I quit.”

Nico’s cheeks flooded with blood. “Quit?”

“I’m giving the position to Vinn, unless you decide otherwise. Whatever. I don’t want to be involved. I need a clean break from the chaos.”

“I’m in jail for a few weeks, and you fall apart? You’re stronger than this.”

“I guess I’m not.”

“Wait, wait. Alessio, slow down. I understand that you’re upset, but you’re talking crazy. You can’t leave.”

“They aren’t loyal. I don’t have their obedience. I will not work for a family that won’t accept me. So I’m out.”

Vinn looked like all his dreams came true. “I want this, Nico.”

“Shut the fuck up. You went against my direct order. I’ll deal with you both later.” Nico swiveled toward me, growling. “Alessio, we need you!”

“I’ve dedicated the last ten years to serving the Costas. I’m done. I don’t want to do this anymore. Nico, please let me go.”

Nico’s silence was like needles on my skin. “You’re like my son.”

“And you’re the father I never had.”

“You’re treating me like a fucking jerk-off.”

“Nico, I am grateful for everything. I regret nothing. I tried. I did what I could because you’ve been so great to me. But it’s too much. Mia’s having a baby. I’m never at home. I will honor the contracts I’ve produced, and I’ll be there for you, but I can’t be boss.” I swallowed the lump in my throat and stood. “Sorry, Nico. I’ll leave you to discuss arrangements.”

I headed for the exit, my gaze sweeping over Michael’s expression of stunned disbelief and Vinn’s cautious optimism. It was no longer my concern. I left the jail and stood outside, battling a fierce storm in my soul.

Michael and Vinn emerged, their heads bowed together. The betrayal and disgust that had built over the whole day boiled.

I joined them. “Did Nico come to his senses?”

Judging by Vinn’s smile, he had. I’d never seen him so happy, and I could’ve pushed him down the steps.

“Perfect.” I patted his shoulder. “Anthony is officially your problem.”

“Alessio, wait.” Vinn followed as I descended. “Jesus, hold up. I’m trying to apologize. I made a mistake. You’ve done a lot for us-”

“Where was this appreciation when you were planning to blow me away? Six years,” I snarled. “You stabbed me in the back. I don’t want to see you again.”

“You feel betrayed,” he deadpanned. “I understand, but it wasn’t personal. You were getting killed anyway. I wanted to become a boss.”

“Nice. Fuck you.”

“What Vinn means is I fucked up, and I’m sorry.” Michael, ever the peacemaker, looped his arm around my shoulder. “Alessio, breathe. You’re out. That’s all that matters, right?”

“Alessio, you’re the best leader we had,” said Vinn in his graveyard voice. “Unfortunately, you were born with the wrong name.”

I couldn’t take any compliments from Vinn.

“If you touch my family, I swear to God. I’ll raze the streets with my vengeance. You will lose my contacts. You can kiss the rotating cops at your house goodbye. And when all the gangs I’ve united leave because you no longer have Sullivan at your disposal to call off raids, you’ll regret crossing me.”

Vinn smiled, and then he jerked his head at Michael, indicating he should follow. They strolled down the parking lot, walking out of sight, and the enormous weight on my heart finally lifted.

I was free.