Chapter 20
Adriano
I had to ask Mom to come over to help Laurie get through the clothes selection so I could leave for an hour or so.
Since Laurie told me some of what that fucking family did to her, I’ve been not-so-patiently waiting for a moment to slip away so I can put my plan into motion.
First, terrorize. Second, bankrupt them. Third, watch them rip each other apart. Fourth, kill every last one of them.
As Little Ricky drives us to Mitchell’s Construction, I call Rosie.
“What’s up, Mr. Grumpy?” She lets out a chuckle. “Or has that pretty wife of yours cured you of your temper?”
Scowling, I mutter, “Is everything in place?
“Yep. Just say when, and I’ll empty their bank accounts into the shell companies I created. After that, Augusto can launder it for you.”
“Good.” I glance at the club’s entrance as Little Ricky passes it before stopping in front of the construction company’s office. “We’re about to head in and plant the bugs.”
“Let me know when you’re done, and I’ll activate them so we can listen in on what happens after you leave. Also, keep an eye on your phone. I’ll call if any cops are dispatched.”
“Thanks.” I shove the door open, and climbing out of the SUV, I growl, “Let’s do this.”
I walk to the door, dressed in one of my tailored suits, and when I press the doorbell, it’s no surprise when the door is buzzed open.
As I enter the office, my men pour in behind me, and while they spread through the building, overturning desks, ripping computers from cords, and smashing glass walls with baseball bats, I head straight for Heather Mitchell.
Through the glass wall of her office, her terrified gaze locks on mine, and the second she realizes we’re coming for her, she drops beneath her desk while screaming hysterically.
The other woman, who I assume is Amanda, the best friend the fucker cheated with, stands frozen in terror by another desk. I shoot her a glance and order Little Ricky, “Bring her.”
While he grabs the friend, I stalk into the office, and as I duck and grab Heather’s arm, she screams her fucking head off, the phone she was holding falling from her hands.
I notice she only managed to press six, two, three, instead of nine, one, one.
Struggling to get free, I easily haul her to her feet. When I shove her up against the wall and press my forearm to her throat, her breaths are choppy while tears streak mascara down her face.
“Did you enjoy it when you made my woman out to be a thief and fired her, knowing she would end up on the streets?” I growl.
Heather trembles violently, her eyes filled with ungodly fear. “W-what?”
“Did you, Amanda, and Austin laugh while you planned how Laurie would walk in on her and that piece of shit you call a brother?” Her gaze widens as she realizes this is because of Laurie, then I hiss, “I hope it was worth it, humiliating and bullying my wife, because I’m going to fucking destroy you.
Every time your phone rings, every time you see headlights behind your car, every time footsteps sound outside your door in the middle of the night, you’ll wonder if it’s me.
When you lie in bed at night, I want you to worry if tonight is the night I’m coming to put a bullet in your head.
When you can’t take the fear anymore, and you run, I’ll be right behind you, hunting until I fucking kill you. ”
I can smell it as she wets herself, and knowing she’s too fucking weak to handle more, I let her go and watch as she slides down the wall to cower at my feet.
The sound of my men smashing computers and glass fills the air as I turn around.
Amanda jumps with fright, her terrified gaze locked on me as I stop in front of her. With disgust, I look her up and down. “Same goes for you. I hope riding that fucker’s dick was worth your life.”
She begins to sob loudly, her breaths nothing but gasps, as I wave my arm in the air for my men to clear out.
I send Rosie a quick message while I stalk toward the door, some of my men going ahead of me to make sure it’s clear.
“We’re good, boss,” Tony calls out.
Adriano: Leaving.
Rosie: Will intercept any emergency calls they make. No one else called in the disturbance. You’re in the clear.
Stepping out onto the sidewalk, I glance up and down the road before heading to the SUV and getting in.
Little Ricky hurries to climb in, then says, “Next up, the construction site.”
I sign into the app showing all the security cameras for my property and find the feed for the living room.
Seeing Mom smiling while my breathtakingly beautiful wife twirls in a circle, showing off a silk gown that molds over every curve of her body, the corner of my mouth lifts.
But then the hem of the dress hooks on the strap of the heels she’s wearing, and as she bends to free the fabric, I see down the front.
Dialing Mom’s number, I wait for her to answer.
“Hi, beddu mio. Stop worrying. Everything is fine.”
“I know. I was watching you. Let me talk to Laurie real quick.”
A second later, my wife says, “Hi.”
“You look breathtaking in that dress, but I just saw down the front when you bent over, so that’s a hard fucking no. Make sure whatever you get covers what’s mine or I will kill some poor fucker for ogling your breasts.”
She’s silent for a few seconds before clearing her throat. “Okay. No low-hanging tops or dresses. Got it.” Then she whispers, “Did you see right down the dress? Like, everything?”
“Only your cleavage, which I plan to bury my face in tonight.”
“Christ, I’m right fucking here,” Little Ricky complains. “Switch to texting so I don’t have to hear that shit.”
Laurie must’ve heard him because she chuckles. “Anyway, gotta go.”
“Laurie,” I say before she can hang up.
“Yes?”
Feeling it’s too soon to drop a love declaration on her, especially over the phone, I murmur, “You mean everything to me.”
I listen to her breaths for several seconds before I hang up and return to watching the security feeds.
Finding Laurie in the kitchen, with Mom’s phone pressed to her chest, I watch as her chin quivers.
She glances up, blinking fast to stop the tears, while whispering, “Don’t cry.
Don’t cry. Don’t cry.” Brushing her palm over her forehead, she continues whispering to herself, “You married the man yesterday. It’s way too soon to fall in love with him.
” Her lips curve up into the cutest fucking smile I’ve ever seen. “Dang, too late.”
“Congrats,” Little Ricky chuckles. “And we’re coming up on the site.”
I press a kiss to my fingertips and brush them over Laurie before locking the screen and tucking the phone into my pocket.
Once Little Ricky stops the SUV by a property where the foundation is being laid for an office park, I wait for him to open my door.
As I get out, my men remain in their vehicles, only here to be a show of force.
Walking toward a group of men who are watching me with curiousity, I lock eyes with Austin Doyle for a second before looking at his brother-in-law.
Jason Mitchell must know who I am because fear ghosts over his face. He breaks away from the group.
“A few minutes ago, I paid your office a visit,” I say to bring him up to speed.
“Shit, Mr. Rizzo. My wife just called to let me know.
“This is the asshole who assaulted Heather and Amanda?” Austin asks aggressively.
Jason’s head snaps to his brother-in-law, and as he shoves him backward, he snaps, “Shut the fuck up!”
When Jason turns his attention back to me, I ask, “Did she tell you why?”
A confused expression settles on his face. “She said there was an issue with Miss Barnes, who resigned at the beginning of the week. I couldn’t make out much with all the crying.”
From years of experience, I can tell he has no fucking idea what really happened with Laurie.
Rage darkens my voice as I growl, “Your wife and brother-in-law destroyed Laurie’s life for their sick entertainment.”
Shock ripples over Jason’s face while Austin lets out a scoff. “Jesus Christ. Laurie was useless. It was about–”
“Austin!” Jason shouts, cutting the fucker off.
I reach behind my back and take hold of my gun. “No, I want to hear what he has to say. Let him finish.”
“Please, Mr. Rizzo,” Jason begs. “He’s just a hothead who doesn’t know who you are.”
“Fuck him,” Austin says, waving a hand at me before grabbing hold of Jason’s arm, telling him, “Look, man, whatever bullshit story Laurie is spinning, it’s all a lie. She stole those thousands from you before running away.”
Jason smacks Austin across the face. “I said shut up!” He points at me. “This is Adriano Rizzo. The fucking Cosa Nostra.” He reins in his temper and holds up a finger. “Not one more word. He’ll fucking kill you right here, dumbass.”
The color drains from Austin’s face, and he shakes his head. “No.”
“Yes!” Jason bites out. “Now show some fucking respect.” He turns his attention back to me. “What did they do?”
I lock eyes with Austin, and it has him taking a step backward. “You kicked Laurie out in the middle of the fucking night and left her homeless knowing Heather was going to accuse her of stealing in order to withhold her paycheck.”
“Jesus fucking Christ,” Jason mutters. “Mr. Rizzo, I swear to you on my mother’s grave, I had no idea. I was told she stole twenty thousand from the business and ran.”
“Hmm…” I glance between Jason and Austin before looking at the other men who are hard at work. “I was thinking of bankrupting you.”
“Shit. Please, Mr. Rizzo,” Jason begs. “My grandfather started this company. I’ll leave Heather and cut ties with her and Austin, but if this company goes under, innocent people will lose their jobs.”
True.
I meet Jason’s eyes and stare at him for a long moment. “The house is in your name. Kick your wife out. If I find out you helped her and Austin in any way, I’ll kill you too.”
Jason’s expression grows hard as he looks at Austin. “Fuck off. You’re fired. I don’t want to see your face again.”
“What?” the idiot gasps. “You can’t do that to me!”
“Jason, you can return to work. Thank you for your time.”
Intense relief ripples over him. “Thank you, Mr. Rizzo, and for what it’s worth, I’m sorry. If Laurie would like to come back, she can.”
“My wife doesn’t need to work.” I watch as the shock hits both men before Jason jogs to get away from me.
Austin gives me a pleading look, but I can see it’s not real. “I’m sorry too.”
I scoff as I step closer, then tilt my head and stare at him long and hard.
“Listen, Laurie’s fed you a bunch of–”
I grab him by the throat and dig my fingers in so hard, he gags. Yanking him to me, I pull out my gun and press the barrel to his head before growling, “I dare you to finish that sentence.”
Fear tightens his features as he tries to speak past my grip on his throat. “I’m sorry!”
With our eyes locked, I say, “Like I told your sister. Every time you see headlights behind you, or a sound outside your house, you’re going to wonder if it’s me.
” My voice drops even lower. “Once you’re so shit fucking scared you feel like you’re losing your mind, I want you to remember what you did to my wife and know that one day I’ll come for revenge.
” I tilt my head and push the barrel harder into his temple.
“When I do, you’ll weep and beg while I put a bullet between your eyes. ”
Austin looks like he’s about to shit himself, and the moment I move, pulling the gun away from his head, he jerks with fright, his breaths nothing but strangled puffs.
This fucker had sex with Laurie.
As the thought pops into my mind, I react and slam the butt of my Glock into his face before bringing my knee up, driving into his junk.
When I let go of him, he falls to his knees, gripping his balls while letting out a sound that’s similar to a deflating balloon.
I stare at him, not wanting him to take another breath, and my fingers flex around my Glock’s handle.
“Boss,” Little Ricky murmurs to grab my attention, because he can see I’m a second away from blowing the fucker’s brains out.
I turn my head and look at my ride-or-die. “Have the men take him for a drive.”
“Wait,” Austin groans while trying to get up off the ground.
Little Ricky lets out a loud whistle, and Tony comes jogging toward us. “Take him and rough him up.”
“I’m sorry. Please,” Austin quickly learns to beg as Tony signals for Sam and Benny to come get the fucker.
Turning around, I stalk back to the SUV, tucking my Glock into my waistband and adjusting my jacket to cover it.
Getting into the backseat, I pull out my phone and call Rosie.
“What’s up, buttercup?”
I let out a snort. “No.”
“Yeah-yeah. What do you need?”
“Leave Jason Mitchell’s bank accounts and business, but empty Heather, Amanda, and Austin’s. Also, get into their phones. I want to know what they’re saying to each other.”
“On it.”
“Keep tabs on Jason. If he does anything to help one of those three fuckers, I want to know immediately.”
“Okay.” Then she mutters, “Ugh, Enzo is here again.”
I swear, Christiano’s little brother and Rosie are going to drive me to drink. Fuck knows why they aren’t a couple.
I let out a heavy sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose. “When are the two of you going to drop this fucking act that you don’t like each other and get married?”
“W..hat… can’t… you… li… ne… bad.”
The call ends, and I shake my head as Little Ricky gets in and starts the engine.
“That it for today?” he asks.
“Yes, let’s go home.”
My phone rings, and looking down, I see Laurie’s name and swipe quickly. “Yes, mia piccola farfalla.”
“I… I…” Everything in me turns to ice as she stammers. “I’m s-sorry.” A sob bursts from her, and fear grips my heart.
“Laurie, what happened?”
Little Ricky speeds up, but when I signal for him to move it, he floors the gas.
“I need you,” she squeezes the words out. “Please.”
“I’ll be home soon.” When I can only hear her quivering breaths, I say, “Laurie? Talk to me.”
“I’m s-s-sorry,” she sobs before hanging up.
I quickly bring up the security feed and see Mom in the living room, talking to Pierre. I swipe through the screens, finally finding Laurie sitting on the floor at the foot of the bed, her face pressed into the crook of her arm while she cries fucking hard.
Hit with another wave of intense worry, I dial Mom’s number, and when she answers, I ask, “What happened with Laurie?”
“Nothing.” I see Mom glancing over her shoulder. “She got a message and excused herself. Why?”
“Do me a favor and get Pierre to clear out. I’m on my way home and want to be alone with her.”
“Okay. I’ll just check on her quickly, though.”
“No. Don’t disturb her, Ma. I’ll be there soon.”
We hang up, and I impatiently alternate between watching everyone leave and Laurie’s shoulders jerking as sobs rattle from her while she reads something on her phone I can’t see.
I swear to all that’s holy, if Heather threatened Laurie, she’ll become the first woman I torture to death.