25. Chapter 25
Chapter 25
Emilio
O nce Serena is asleep, I station one of our guards at my bedroom door and another below our window, ensuring she remains safe throughout the night. The presence of the guards gives me peace of mind, but they are not for me, they are to ensure no one hurts what I care about most, my wife and baby.
Antonio is waiting for me in the chair across from my desk when I arrive. Without speaking to him, I walk over to my bar and grab some whiskey. I throw back a drink and pour a second, doing the same before making a third and taking a seat. My nerves are on edge knowing someone was that close to Serena while not only I was out, but her brothers were with me. We were doing business, but it left all three of our women open to anyone who wanted to hurt them.
As my second-in-command sits quietly and waits, I try to contain my anger. "You were here when I was gone, and you didn't protect her."
"I wasn't hired to protect the Martinelli woman. I was hired to keep you safe and advise you."
My anger rises and my voice gets louder as each word comes out. "No, you were fucking hired to do what I tell you to do. I want to know how someone got past the guards at the gate, then got to the front door when my wife and child were right on the other side.
Antonio looks down at the floor as his jaw tics. "I'm sorry."
"I want you to find out who was on guard duty at the gate and take them to the warehouse in the industrial district tomorrow. This mistake can't happen again, Antonio. If it does, you won't be alive to apologize next time."
Antonio gives me a solemn nod as he stands, buttons his suit jacket, and leaves the room. Tomorrow, the two guards who were supposed to ensure no one got close to my wife will have to explain themselves.
Before bed, I walk over and get a fourth whiskey. I'm feeling tipsy, but my hand trembles when I reach out for the bottle. Someone got too close to my wife. There's a reason I asked the guards to be brought to the warehouse. It's over behind the funeral home. When I bought the funeral home, I knew that part of the city had gone downhill. It's the perfect place to dispose of bodies, and I don’t doubt it will come in handy tomorrow.
Tonight, I need to hold my wife.
After going back to our room and grabbing a quick shower, I climb into bed completely naked, needing to feel her skin against mine. Serena thrashes around and whimpers.
"It's okay, baby, I'm here. You are safe, Little Storm,"
Serena wakes and whispers, "Emilio, I need you. I need to forget someone is trying to hurt our baby."
I reach up and move her hair away from her face as I see a single tear slide down her cheek. "No, baby, no one is going to hurt our little boy." Lying behind her, I run my hands over her belly. "Have I told you how sexy your belly is? Round with my child, and these full tits." To emphasize my point, I massage her breast and feel her shudder in response.
"You tell me every day, but I think you're nuts."
"Addicted. I'm addicted to you."
Stepping into the warehouse behind the funeral home, I smell the fragrance of dust and decay. The warehouse looks abandoned but it’s actually just a front for what's underneath. As I descend the stairs, I enter a cavernous, concrete-lined, soundproof space. Hanging in the middle of the room are the two guards who were supposed to keep my home and, in turn, my wife safe.
"Franco. Leonardo. Pity seeing you both here," I say as I stroll in with swagger and confidence.
The dimly lit room casts long, distorted shadows of their thrashing bodies on the walls, a creepy dance of light and shadow.
Leo flails and twists, which makes the straps holding his arms above his head swing. His eyes dart around the room and then come back to me with fear in them.
"Boss, I don't know how someone got past us. We were doing our jobs, just as you instructed.
Franco sobs like a six-year-old girl. "I was only away from my post for a few minutes, sir."
"Where were you at, Franco? You were supposed to be protecting my wife."
"I was talking on the phone to my girl, and Leo left early to go on a date."
"Well, now we are getting somewhere." I give Antonio a nod.
Antonio remains stoic, not showing any emotion as two men under his direction are about to meet their demise.
Leonardo begs, "Please, boss. Give us another chance. We won't abandon our post again."
Pulling my Glock from my jacket pocket, I point it directly at Leo's head and pull the trigger. A hole appears between his eyes and his body goes limp as the blood drains from his once struggling body.
Franco slumps over, eyes closing as I hold the gun barrel steady and point it directly at him. The sharp click of the trigger, followed by a muffled thud as the bullet strikes Franco's chest, echoes around the room. As I watch the life drain from Franco, I’m filled with a strange mix of relief and regret. It's never easy when you have to put down your own men, but I also can't allow myself to look weak.
Turning to Antonio, I instruct, "Get the bodies to the crematory next door and make sure you have more dependable guards on the property, or next time it will be you hanging from my rafters."