28. Amelia
Chapter 28
Amelia
I gasp as Luca Morelli and Gabe Mancini stride into West’s penthouse in Manhattan. Their presence fills the room like a storm. Together, they exude an almost intimidating energy.
They scan the space, taking in Callum and Jackson before their eyes land on me.
“She looks like the photos of your mamma when she was young, Gabe,” Luca says, his voice deep and smooth.
Luca is very tall. Maybe six and a half feet. He has hair that is as black as coal, contrasting with vibrant blue eyes that seem to pierce right through me.
Gabe nods, his expression softening. “She does.”
Gabe’s hair is a shade lighter than Luca’s, more dark chocolate than raven. He has the same color eyes, and he stands tall, maybe a couple of inches shorter than Luca. “And she has the Morelli eye color.”
Callum and Jackson shift slightly closer to me, their protective stances unwavering. Tension thrums in the air; buzzing against my skin like static electricity.
“Relax,” Luca says, shooting a glance at Callum and Jackson. “She’s safe here.” He offers a reassuring smile that does little to quell my nerves. Their intense presence has me feeling both overwhelmed but oddly comforted.
“We’re her bodyguards,” Jackson grunts. “And I know who you are.”
“Who am I?” Luca asks, tilting his head to one side and waits.
Jackson swallows, and it looks like he’s regretting opening his mouth, but Luca waits. “I read that you’re the Boston Psycho.”
Luca laughs. “You shouldn’t believe everything that you read.”
I swallow hard, trying to steady my racing heart as I take in the men standing before me.
“Are you really my cousins?”
“Gabe Mancini.” Gabe holds out his hand. He has a cute smile and dimples that softens his otherwise imposing demeanor.
“And Luca Morelli.” He follows suit. “Let’s take a seat and have a chat.”
“I’ve heard about you two from Lorenzo.” I’m unsure how they perceive my sudden announcement into the world I managed to hide away from.
“My father was shocked to see how much you looked like my mamma when they married,” Gabe states. “And your family, including Marco Senior, is desperate to meet you, as are your cousins.”
Family.
The word hangs in the air between us as I take it in. For so long it was only me and my parents. Now I had a family.
“How do you want Giovanni killed?” Luca asks.
His words take every breath of air that was about to release from my mouth.
“What do you mean?” I gasp.
His eyes lock onto mine with an intensity that unnerves me.
“Do you want a quick bullet to his head, a knife sliding over his throat—”
I turn to Callum when he shifts, but he remains alert, ready to react at any moment.
Jackson stands stoic beside him, ever watchful as they listen to my cousins.
“Or do you want answers?” Gabe suggests, striding to the window, looking out at Central Park below. “Nice view.”
“I want my inheritance back,” I blurt out, feeling the weight of my words as they hang in the air. The thought of Giovanni, that monster, holding what belongs to me, churns in my stomach. “He stole it from me. I don’t know how he managed it, but it’s mine. It’s all I have left of my family.”
Luca’s eyes narrow, absorbing my words.
Gabe turns back from the window, a look of understanding crossing his face.
“And how did he do that?” Gabe asks.
I wipe away a stray tear with the back of my hand. I don’t even know where it came from.
“When they died…he somehow managed to make himself the executor of the will, and he took everything. He said there was nothing left, that it was all gone.” My voice cracks as memories flood back.
Giovanni’s smug grin when the executor claimed I was penniless.
“What about your parents?” Luca leans forward, his gaze piercing through my facade. “Did they tell you what they had?”
I nod. “He told me I was the sole beneficiary of their will. The house was paid for, and I saw the money in their bank account. They had millions of dollars.”
I take a shuddering breath, my throat tightening at the thought of that fateful day. “I don’t want it to be about money, but he killed them and then took everything from me.”
“So, what do you want? Apart from your rightful inheritance.”
“I don’t know what happened to them in those last moments.” The tears spill over now, hot and stinging as they trail down my cheeks. “I wasn’t there. I wish I had been... maybe then things would’ve been different.”
“Amelia,” Gabe says gently, stepping closer to me. “You need answers.”
“Yes!” I nod through my tears. “I need to know how he killed them and if they even got a chance to fight back or say something to him before it happened.”
My heart races as a wave of grief washes over me.
Luca remains silent for a moment. He’s contemplating what I’ve revealed before he speaks again. “You could do it,” he suggests, almost casually. “You might find it cathartic.”
My heart skips a beat at the thought. Kill Giovanni?
The idea sends a shiver down my spine—not fear, but something else entirely—power?
Would taking revenge against him give me peace?
“No,” West growls. Only then do I see him waiting at the elevator, having just gotten home from work. “You’ll never forget it, Amelia. These men kill for a living. It’s different for them. You’ll hate yourself. You’ll not be able to live with yourself. Give them your wishes and step back.”
“Okay,” I whisper, before I turn to Luca and Gabe. “I’ll let you handle it. Just...find out everything. I need to know what he did to them, and I need him to suffer far worse.”
Luca nods, a glint of approval in his eyes.
Gabe steps closer, placing a hand on my shoulder. “We’ll make sure you get all the information you need. As soon as the job is done, we’ll let you know.” His grip is firm, reassuring.
“Just tell me you won’t take any unnecessary risks,” I plead, the weight of my decision pressing down on me. “I can’t lose anyone else.”
“Trust me,” Luca says with an intensity that sends a shiver through me. “We’re professionals. This is what we do.”
I look between them and say, “Giovanni already killed Cillian O’Reilly.”
“I know he tried to pin it on me.” Luca smirks, his confidence contagious. “At least now we know why Cillian kidnapped his son. But that son of a bitch, Cillian, is in the best place.”
He doesn’t seem in the least bit worried.
“And if you need me to help?” I ask hesitantly.
“No,” Gabe interrupts sharply. “You stay safe and out of this mess. Don’t be leaving this apartment until we tell you it’s safe to do so.”
“I understand,” I murmur, accepting their boundaries.
“You don’t.” Luca’s gaze softens as he studies me for a moment longer before speaking again. “Papa will kill me if anything happens to you. He wants to meet you soon.”
Warmth bubbles in my chest as he speaks, knowing I’ll have the love of my found family.
“Let us handle this,” Gabe adds before heading toward the door with Luca following close behind him.
“Wait!” I call out as they reach for the elevator panel.
They turn back in unison.
“I appreciate this—more than you know.” My heart pounds as gratitude surges through me. “For my parents.”
The doors to the elevator open and, with a final nod from both men, they exit the penthouse.
I stand for a moment, and only when West wraps his arms around me do I collapse in his arms and sob.