Chapter 4
Adriano Pov~
"Did you call Andros?" I asked Gio as we drove the busy Philadelphia streets. He nodded gripping the wheel tighter. "He is expecting our arrival." Gio said with a sly smile.
I already knew what that meant. Giovanni had never been good at hiding his emotions when it came to certain people. "Good."
I looked out the window. "Now, I know things are always personal with you guys." I turned my attention back to him. "But hold off on killing the man until after I get the information I need."
I gave him a warning look. He responded with a smug one of his own. "You know I can't stand that son of a bitch."
He spat the words out as he turned into the back alley behind the lounge. "I know." I sighed. But I also knew Giovanni. Once he made up his mind about someone, it was almost impossible to change it. I checked that my gun was secured in my holster before opening the door.
The second I stepped out, I adjusted my black coat and buttoned it. Giovanni came around the vehicle, joining me as my men followed closely behind. We walked through the dirty alleyway, the ground still wet from the midnight rain. Water filled the cracks in the pavement as we stepped over puddles.
My men approached the back entrance and knocked. Two guards opened the door. They looked young. But the way they carried themselves told me they were trained. We followed them upstairs to the second floor of the lounge.
Andros always stayed in the VIP section. Of course he did.
I looked over at Giovanni. One look. A simple message. Don't fuck this up.
He understood. At least I hoped he did. We entered the room and there he was.
Half drunken Andros sitting on the couch as he sucked the life out of his midnight snack.
As he saw us approach he stopped and smiled at us, letting the naked woman close her legs and sat up in his lap.
He whispered something in her ears before she gave him a smile and sauntered off past us.
Her eyes never leaving mine. I rolled my eyes at her, she was nothing compared to mio amore.
"Gentleman welcome!" Andros chirped standing up with his hands wide in a gesture. My demeanor never faltered. It remained expressionless and rigid.
"Andros." My voice was flat. "We heard some disturbing information regarding your recent activities."
The smile slowly disappeared from his face. He understood why we were there. "I wouldn't make any sudden moves if I were you, Capo."
A smug smile returned. I let out a low laugh. "Why not?" Andros glanced toward one of his men. That was all it took. The second his man moved, my men had their weapons drawn.
My gun was aimed directly at Andros' head. The room went silent. But the bastard just laughed. Like he wasn't staring down a weapon. Like he wasn't facing the Capo. Before I could say anything, the door opened.
Immediately, my weapon shifted toward the person entering. A man stepped inside but he wasn't alone. There was a woman beside him. A woman who would change everything.
I watched Giovanni freeze. His entire body went rigid. His eyes locked onto her. Shock, anger and confusion. All of it flashed across his face simultaneously.
His chest rose and fell heavily as he struggled to process what he was seeing. The woman slowly walked toward him.
His gun was still raised, pointed directly at her chest.
She didn't seem afraid. Not even a little.
She stopped in front of him.
"Hello, Giovanni."
~***~
I watched as A.J. made his way back into his father's office, Marcio following close behind. A small smile pulled at my lips. Adriano had been determined from the beginning.
He wanted our sons prepared. He wanted them ready. And more importantly...
He had never once doubted A.J.
My husband knew, without a doubt, that our son would become an incredible Mafia Boss one day. And from what I had seen so far? He was right.
A.J. was doing an amazing job. Was he stressed?
Of course.
Was he impatient sometimes?
Absolutely.
But he was handling everything with the same discipline and control his father had taught him.
He was becoming Adriano.
And honestly...That both terrified and amazed me.
While A.J. and Marcio handled things here, Adriano and Giovanni had gone to Philadelphia to deal with Andros.
Andros.
Just thinking about that name made me sigh. He was practically Giovanni's sworn enemy. Twenty years ago, Giovanni and Andros had been in love with the same woman. Gio hated him with every ounce of his being.
But in the end, Giovanni won her heart.
Or at least...he thought he did. She disappeared after he proposed. Not exactly the happiest ending.
But eventually, Giovanni found Leena. And now they had two amazing sons. Life had a funny way of working itself out.
"Boo." A voice whispered directly into my ear.
Instinct took over. I grabbed the person's arm and twisted it behind their back before I even realized what I was doing.
"Ow!" I immediately let go. Yana stood there rubbing her wrist.
I rolled my eyes. "It's your fault for sneaking up on me." I smirked.
After all, I wasn't just Adriano's wife. I was trained too.
She stuck her tongue out.
"Grow up." I crossed my arms.
"Grow down." She stared at me.
"That doesn't even make sense."
"It doesn't have to." She shook her head, laughing slightly. "Why are you spying on our sons?"
I gave her a look. "I wasn't spying." I nodded toward the office. "I was watching."
She raised an eyebrow. I ignored it. "Wait... why are you here?"
Yana gave me a smug smile. "Got me, sista."
I sighed. "What if we just went to check on them?" I looked toward the office door. She immediately nodded. Apparently, she had been waiting for me to suggest that. She knocked before walking straight inside. "God."
I muttered, following after her. A.J. and Marcio were both on the phones. Their Italian flowed effortlessly as they handled their conversations.
I glanced at Yana. The pride on her face was obvious. She smiled back. Our boys were growing up.
When they noticed us, they quickly ended their calls. "Yes, ma?" A.J. looked between us. They both knew we understood Italian.
They also knew we weren't supposed to know every detail of the Mafia business. I walked toward the desk while Yana moved beside Marcio and kissed his forehead.
He looked completely confused. Honestly, it was adorable.
"Nothing." I smiled innocently. "We just wanted to see what your plans were for tonight." I tried to sound casual. Even though I was genuinely curious.
Marcio and A.J. exchanged a look. "We have to visit one of the clubs to collect money," Marcio answered.
"Then we have another stop downtown." His answer was vague.
Very vague.
And that alone told me enough. My stomach tightened slightly. The thought of my sons walking into clubs at night, surrounded by dangerous men, made every protective instinct in me wake up.
As if he sensed my worry, A.J. spoke. "Don't worry, Ma."
His voice was calm. "Leo, Damien, and Raf are coming with us. We're going to be fine." He gave me a determined look. "We're trained professionals."
I stared at him, sitting there. Behind his father's desk. In his father's chair. For a moment, I saw Adriano. Not just the resemblance but the same confidence, same fire, same look in his eyes that said he would protect everyone he loved.
It gave me goosebumps. They were so alike. It was almost frightening. I walked over and wrapped my arms around my son. "Be safe." I kissed his cheek before moving back.
Yana smiled. "And don't forget to kick their asses." She winked at both boys. They immediately smirked.
I laughed and grabbed her arm, pulling her toward the door. "Come on."
"Love you guys." I called out before closing the door behind us.
The moment we were outside, I looked at Yana. "They'll be okay." I tried to convince myself as much as her.
"Basilio blood." She nodded.
Because we both knew...that blood came with a lot of strength.
But it also came with a lot of danger.
~***~
AJ Pov~
"Alright, you boys ready?" I looked at my men.
Marcio, Leo, Damien, and Raf all looked back at me with determination.
No hesitation or fear. Or at least they were good at hiding emotions, a trait we extensively are taught from young.
Me, I was not as successful in that department. I was a very expressive individual.
They gave me a curt nod, waiting for my signal. We were all strapped and prepared for whatever the night could throw at us. I had thought about bringing more guards with us, but tonight wasn't just about visiting Club Vertigo.
Afterward, we would be heading to the underground ring. We didn't want to draw more attention than we already would. The four of us were more than capable.
At least...
I hoped we were. I pushed those thoughts aside. I couldn't hesitate. Not anymore. I walked out of the office with the guys following behind me. We made our way down to the foyer, but the second we stepped inside, I stopped.
Because of course. Of course, there was chaos.
Michel and Antonio were wrestling in the middle of the room, dangerously close to knocking over the table that held Aunt Leena's favorite vase.
"Are you two serious?"
Before either of them could answer, I grabbed Michel by the back of his shirt and pulled him away. Damien immediately grabbed Antonio and dragged him back as well. The two of them glared at each other, still ready to continue fighting.
"Behave." My voice came out firm.
"We're going to be gone for the night, which means I need you two not to give your mothers any trouble." I looked between them.
"Clear?"
They both immediately straightened. "Yes."
I nodded. They may have been younger, but they knew when I was serious. Although they were still staring each other down like they wanted round two.
Raf shook his head and walked over, patting both of their shoulders. "Hey." He looked between them. "There's a time for everything. You fought." He gave them both a pointed look. "Now make up."
He smiled slightly. "You're blood. Remember that."