CHAPTER I
“ A nd you really think she could be in Italy?” Luca asked.
Dante shook his head. “I don’t know. But what I do know is that her father is your best shot at tracking down the fucker who took her.” Though he spoke calmly, but the weight of despair crushed my chest, leaving jagged shards of guilt that cut deep, a constant reminder of my fuck up.
“Well, let’s go,” Liam declared, striding toward the door.
“No, son. You need to stay here,” Dante replied, his tone leaving no room for argument.
“No. No way. I’m coming with you.” Liam exclaimed.
“Son, I need you to stay here. It’s too dangerous,” Dante insisted.
“That’s bullshit, Dad!” Liam snapped, fists clenched at his sides. “I already let her down once.” He shook his head, pain etched across his face. “I won’t do it again.” His voice dropped to a whisper, raw with emotion.
I tightened my jaw at his response. I couldn’t tell whether I was consumed by jealousy or struggling with the anger that came from having to accept how much he cared about my angel.
I needed to snap out of these feelings so I could focus on what truly mattered.
“He’s right,” I said, my voice steady as I rose slowly to my feet.
Liam turned to me, his eyes bright with a flicker of hope, as if he believed I might invite him to join us.
But the truth was far from that; it was the complete opposite.
“I know how much Gigi means to you,” I continued. “If anything happens to you , it will break her .”
And I refused to let that happen.
Liam searched my eyes, and after a long moment, he dropped his hands from his hips, resignation creeping into his posture. “Okay. I’ll stay behind. But the moment she’s found?—”
“I’ll call you, son.” Dante’s tone was final.
Just then, a sharp knock interrupted the tense atmosphere in the room. “Come in,” I called out.
Miguel walked in, his expression serious as he stood at the threshold. “Boss, there’s a detective here to see you.”
“Don’t care,” I replied. “Send him on his way.”
“That may not be a good idea,” Enzo said.
I snapped my head in Enzo’s direction. “I give a fuck all for your opinion.”
“Nico,” Enzo urged, “your front lawn was covered with dead bodies, there’s a gaping hole in your basement, and your place is shot up to hell.
A car crashed through your front door! There are going to be questions.
It's better to have CPD involved before the feds come sniffing around. I’ve already had to clean up the mess you and your men left behind at the warehouse. ”
“I sure as hell didn’t ask for your help, Enzo,” I shot back. “I have a few cops on the payroll who could’ve handled this. I don’t need a stranger poking around in my business.”
“Look.” Enzo rubbed his forehead as if he was trying to massage away a headache. “He’ll be one cop asking a few questions, and then he will leave. If you give him any reason to be suspicious, you’ll have a problem on your hands. You’re lucky it’s me handling this and not some other FBI agent.”
I gritted my teeth. He made a good point, and I cursed under my breath, knowing I had no other choice but to do as he said.
“Alright, send him in,” I conceded. The sooner this was over, the sooner I could work on getting my girl back.
“But I’m warning you Enzo—one wrong move, and he’s dead. That badge won’t save him from me.” My eyes narrowed, daring him to challenge my resolve.
He remained silent, his expression unreadable.
The door swung open, and a familiar figure stepped inside. He was dressed casually—the fitted black leather jacket clung to his athletic build, and the badge dangling from his neck felt like a taunt. This pompous prick thought he could waltz in and sniff around my turf.
“Nico,” the cop greeted.
“Alexander Stone,” I replied, my tone flat.
“Do you know each other?” Enzo asked.
I leaned back in my chair, arms crossed, eyeing Stone with skepticism. “Yes. His reputation precedes him.”
Stone was known for arresting over a dozen men in a drug bust a year ago. His team seized pounds of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin. The street value was estimated at over half a million dollars. And I didn’t trust him.
“What do you want, Detective?” I asked, a warning laced within my words.
Stone cleared his throat. “I just want to ask you a few questions about what occurred here.”
“You can only ask three questions. I suggest you make them worth it,” I said cooly.
Stone’s jaw clenched, annoyance flickering across his face, but he quickly masked it. “Can I sit down?”
“No. You’re fine where you are.”
He nodded once, pulling out his pad and pen. He gave his pen a sharp click and began to ask his first question. “Let’s start with the obvious, Nico. What happened here?”
“A drunk driver. By the time I made it to the point of damage, they were no longer on the property,” I replied, feigning indifference.
“A drunk driver crashed into your front door and got away?” he echoed. “I find that hard to believe with all the guards you have stationed around the area.”
“It was their day off. They do have families, Detective.”
Stone's eye twitched involuntarily. “Fine. Did you have a problem with anyone recently? Any enemies?”
“No.” My reply was curt. He knew exactly who I was, the enemies I had circling like vultures. The fucker was trying to goad me.
“I noticed bullet holes in your house and broken windows. Based on the wreckage, it seems someone was inside shooting,” he pressed, his eyes narrowing.
“Detective,” I warned, “is there a question buried in that accusation? Remember, you only have one left.”
Stone straightened. “Who was in the house at the time of the shooting?”
“Me and my men.”
He turned to Lo and Luca, his gaze piercing. “Did you see anything?”
“No. I was taking a shit,” Luca replied.
I smirked.
“I was with Nico in his office, going over business matters,” Lo added.
Stone’s dark expression told me he wasn’t buying our bullshit. He shook his head. “Look. I’m just trying to figure out what happened here so I can arrest the people responsible.”
“I appreciate you stopping by, but I can handle my own shit,” I said.
Stone met my gaze with unwavering intensity. “That may be so, but I think you’re hiding more than you’re letting on. I know who you are, Mr. Moretti.”
“Everyone does,” Luca scoffed. “It would be hard not to since he owns several condos in the state and a nightclub that’s very well known. The people in the community regularly see him at several charity events he attends.”
Stone’s eyes shifted between us. “I noticed blood on your stairwell when I walked in. Where did that come from?” he asked.
My expression hardened. “You used up your questions, Stone. I have nothing else to say. My men will escort you out.”
“Fine. If that’s how you want to play it,” he said, tucking his pen and pad away with a resigned sigh. “Here’s my card.” He held it out, and Luca snatched it from him. “If you have any other information, call me.”
I offered him a two-finger salute, masking my irritation.
With that, Stone turned on his heel and exited.
Luca tossed the card in the trash.
“Jesus, Nico. Now you’ve given him reason to be suspicious,” Enzo grumbled.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a much bigger problem.
There was another knock at the door.
“What now?” I snapped.
“Nico, Tabi is awake and asking for Mr. Lorenzo.” Jacobi peered into the room.
I turned to Lo, who straightened instantly. “How is she?” he asked.
Jacobi looked at me, silently seeking permission to enter. I nodded, and he stepped inside. “She’s holding up well, considering,” Jacobi said.
“Bring her in,” I instructed him.
Moments later, Tabi stepped through the door, looking better than when we had found her, though remnants of fear still lingered in her eyes. Her hair was damp, suggesting she had just showered, and she wore clean pajamas that seemed to offer her some comfort.
I rose from my seat and approached her slowly. I kept my distance, not wanting to spook her after everything she had endured.
“Hi, Tabi. How are you feeling?” I asked gently.
She fidgeted with the hem of her top. “I’m okay. But I don’t want to discuss me right now. I just want my son.”
I nodded. “We know. Can you tell us where he is?”
“Yes. He’s with the sitter,” she replied.
I turned to Luca. “Call the sitter to confirm he’s still there.”
Tabi’s eyes widened, a flicker of panic crossing her features. “Do you think something happened to them?”
“I don’t believe so, but we can’t afford to take any chances,” I said, my tone firm yet calming.
She nodded, though the worry was still etched on her face.
“What’s the sitter’s phone number?” Luca asked.
Tabi quickly rattled off the digits, and Luca picked up his phone and dialed the number.
“Put it on speaker,” I said.
After a few rings, the sitter answered, her voice thick with sleep. “Hello?”
“Hey, it’s Tabi.”
“Oh, thank God!” she whispered. “I was trying to get a hold of you.”
“Is everything okay? Is Tristan okay?” Tabi fired off.
“Oh, yes, he’s fine. He’s asleep,” the sitter assured her.
“Good.” Tabi exhaled, a relieved breath escaping her lips. “I’ll be home soon.”
“Okay, see you then,” the sitter replied before they exchanged quick goodbyes.
After the call ended, I turned to Lo. “I want you to take two guards, pick up her son, and bring them back here.”
Lo nodded, a look of steely resolve on his face.
“What? Why?” Tabi asked, her voice trembling.
“The threat hasn’t been eliminated, Tabi. For us to take care of it, I need you to tell me what happened. How did they get to you?”
“Please. I—I don’t want to talk about it.” Her eyes fell to the floor. “Not yet, anyway.”
“That’s fair enough. But we will have that discussion, Tabi.”
“I know,” she whispered.
“Why don’t you get dressed? Once you’re ready, my men will take you to your son.”
She managed a half-smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes before walking out of the room, one of my guards trailing closely behind her.
Lo pulled me into a brief one-arm hug. “Find her. Bring her back home. But you make sure you’re right the fuck behind her.”
“I promise,” I replied, giving him a reassuring pat on the back. As he stepped back, we locked eyes, an unspoken understanding passing between us before he followed Jacobi out the door.
I strolled toward the window, my hands shoved deep into my pockets. A sea of stars flickered like distant hopes against the night sky. “How do we get in touch with Gigi’s father?” I asked Dante.
“Tony. Alphonse’s right-hand man,” Dante replied. “I’ll reach out to him and let him know we’re coming.”
“When was the last time you even spoke to her father?”
“Years.”
Years?
“Why so long?” I pressed, curiosity gnawing at my insides.
He turned away, rubbing his chest as if trying to ease an invisible ache. “Long story.”
“Good thing we have a long-ass flight, then,” I shot back, forcing a grin that barely masked the tension between us.
But Dante’s expression didn’t soften; instead, it hardened, the shadows growing deeper. “It won’t be a pleasant visit, Nico. Expect some pushback.”
His words settled like stones in my gut. But honestly, I couldn’t care less what the man thought. He may be the mafia of all mafia, but Gigi was mine . And if he got in my way of saving her, I wouldn’t hesitate to remind him that she belonged to me.
“Let him push back,” I declared, my voice hard as steel.
Dante met my eyes, his flickering with a mix of concern and understanding. “Alphonse doesn't play by the same rules.”
“And neither do I.” My resolve hardened into something unshakeable. The stakes were towering, but I was ready to enter the battle, come hell or high water. I would not back down. Not now. Not ever.
“I'll make the call,” Dante said. He stepped out of the room with Liam, leaving me in silence.
In that stillness, I welcomed the chance to drift away from reality, my mind turning to thoughts of my Angel.
I shut my eyes tight, letting the memories of her ground me.
I silently pleaded with the gods to grant me a glimpse of her: her radiant smile that could chase away even the darkest shadows of my days.
Her warm golden eyes that sparkled with love I felt unworthy of receiving, the soft touch of her skin against mine that felt like home.
I could almost taste the sweetness of her lips, smooth as velvet, and hear her voice, pure and melodic, wrapping around me like a sacred hymn.
But then Enzo’s voice sliced through my reverie, a sharp reminder that I was here, anchored in this moment and this fucking nightmare.
I opened my eyes, forcing myself to return to the present.
But the ache of missing her lingered like a relentless reminder of my rage, directed at a world that continued to spin while I stood still, shackled by her loss.
“Nico, I will stay behind and keep my eyes on Stone,” Enzo offered.
“I don’t give a shit about Stone,” I ground out.
He let out a dark chuckle. “I know. Just let me know once you find her.”
“Why the hell would I do that, cop?”
Enzo rose to his feet and took a few steps toward me. Luca moved in, ready to defend me.
“You asked me to look after her the moment she stepped foot into your club,” he began. “In the time I’ve watched over her, she’s worked her way into my heart. All I need to know is that she’s safe. That’s it.”
I took a deep breath, struggling to control my emotions. “Fine. But just because you have a soft spot for my girl doesn’t mean everything between us is forgotten.”
He nodded curtly.
I had trusted him with my life, but now, with the shadows of his undercover work looming over us, I couldn’t shake the feeling of betrayal. How could I be sure this wasn’t all a ploy to take me down? But I’d table it for now. After all, they say keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.
I turned to Luca. “Get the private jet ready. We’re leaving within the hour.”
“You got it, boss.” Luca rushed out to handle the preparations.
I turned my attention to Miguel, who was standing by the door. “You’re staying behind to secure the house. I’ve got some men coming in for repairs, and I need you and the rest of my team on high alert. We don’t know what the Puppet Master still has in store for us.”
“Yes, sir,” Miguel responded.
“Also, I need you to help my uncle monitor the shipments closely. It’s business as usual but ramp up surveillance. He’s running point on this,” I instructed firmly.
“Understood, boss.”
Dante stepped back inside with a haunted look in his eyes. “It’s all set,” he confirmed. He stood there, blinking slowly, as if trying to make sense of something he had just heard.
I took a deep breath to ground myself. “Let’s go find my fucking girl.”