Chapter 28
Adriano
While Laurie was in the hospital for four agonizingly long days, I had the bedroom stripped, repainted, and new carpets laid. I also got a brand new bed and bedding. I didn’t want anything that would remind her of Marco in the room.
The past two days she’s been home, I only left her side when something absolutely important needed to be taken care of. Remo’s really stepped up, taking the helm while I’ve been otherwise occupied.
Even though I know things have to return to normal, it’s difficult.
The itch when I’m away from Laurie is unbearable at times, like right now while we’re on our way to nip the problem of the opposing families in the butt.
It’s already taking up too much time, which my impatient ass hates with a vengeance.
All five capos came together for today. Well, Rosie is in her fortress, making sure the area is clear and we don’t get ambushed, in case we underestimated the fuckers. Which I doubt, but rather safe than sorry.
The instant our convoy comes to a skidding stop at the address Rosie gave us, I glance over the abandoned factory where the enemy is currently meeting.
“Time to show everyone why you don’t fuck with the Cosa Nostra,” I growl, shoving my door open and lunging out of the SUV.
With my gun already in my hand, I stalk toward the main door while our men pour from the other vehicles.
Georgi and Augusto quickly catch up to me, and as some of our men run toward the sides of the building, we head straight for the entrance.
Little Ricky and Lorenzo, Augusto’s ride-or-die, go in first with more of our men, and gunshots quickly fill the air.
By the time I step inside, I see someone shot one of the enemies’ soldiers right in the face, and another soldier has two bullets to his chest.
More shots rip through crates and metal shelving while the opposing soldiers scramble for cover, trying to return fire fast enough to stop the wave of men tearing through the warehouse. There’s not a snowball's chance in hell of that happening.
There are only a handful of soldiers to protect the four opposing heads, who all look shocked out of their fucking minds to see us.
“We brought an army to a fucking tea party,” I mutter, making Georgi chuckle.
One of their men runs from behind a forklift with an automatic rifle in his hands, spraying rounds wildly across the room, but the fucker has zero aim, and everyone trains their guns on him, riddling the idiot with bullets.
Another appears on the second-floor walkway above us, and Little Ricky shoots him right in the throat, then we watch as the body flips over the railing and crash onto the dusty concrete below.
Like I said. It’s a tea party. These assholes don’t have the know-how to take over the Cosa Nostra.
Our men sweep through the warehouse fast and organized, clearing corners, checking hiding places, and executing every armed man they find while the opposing four heads stand back-to-back, fear on their faces.
“You can’t even handle a little scuffle,” Christiano shouts as he comes up behind us. “How the fuck did you think you were going to take my family and me down and run the Cosa Nostra in our stead?”
Bianchi tries running for the back exit, but Little Ricky takes out his knee.
“Bring that fucker back here,” Christiano orders, and one of our men quickly drags Bianchi closer by the scuff of his collar.
“You wanted a seat of power, now’s your chance. Beat us in a fight, and you can take over control,” Christiano says while pointing at Bianchi, “I don’t know who’s getting the wounded asshole, but it ain’t me.” When he goes for Mancini, Augusto and I lunge at Bellandi and Rinaldi.
“Aww fuck,” Georgi mutters. “Guess I get the wounded and weak.”
The sound of fists breaking bones and painful grunts echo through the air for several minutes before I grow bored. I slam my gun into Rinaldi’s gut, filling him with lead, which spurs on the other heads to do the same.
When the four opposing heads lie dead and their blood pools around them, silence descends on the factory for a few seconds.
“Take photos of the bodies so we can send warnings out to the other families,” Christiano orders before turning around and heading out while grumbling, “What a fucking waste of manpower.”
I look at all the bodies scattered across the office floor and feel absolutely nothing as I follow my capo out of the warehouse.
“Don’t be late for the party,” Georgi shouts for all to hear.
“It’s at nine, right?” Augusto asks with a playful tone.
“Fuck you. If you’re a minute late, I’m shooting off your big toe.”
We all laugh, and when Little Ricky and I get back in our SUV, he mutters, “That was anti-climactic.”
“What did you expect?” I raise my eyebrow at him.
“I don’t know. Maybe a little effort on their part to stay alive.”
A chuckle rumbles from me. “Let’s go home. I have to get ready for Georgi and Nina’s engagement party.”
Little Ricky laughs silently.
“What?” I bark.
“You and the word party never go together in the same sentence.”
“It’s for Georgi.”
Laurie’s very excited for tonight.
Just thinking about her has me growling, “Get us home faster.”
“What’s the hurry?” he asks.
“I miss my wife.”
“You saw her two hours ago. Careful that you don’t smother her.”
“Shut up and drive,” I mutter, then add, “I’ll smother her all I fucking want.”
He shakes his head at me but at least speeds up.
I pull my phone out and stalk my wife on the security feeds, watching as she goes through different outfits, probably trying to decide what to wear tonight.
When she holds a shimmery black dress in front of her, I bring up her number and press dial.
It rings for a while, and just as I frown, she answers, “Hi!”
“Where was your phone?”
“At the bottom of my handbag, which is like a black hole.”
“Whenever I’m away, you have to keep it close, in case there’s an emergency and you need to call me.”
“Okay.”
“Wear the black dress.”
“Huh?” She gasps. “How did you know? Are you home?”
“No, I was watching you on the security feed.”
“What?” She inhales sharply. “There’s a camera in our bedroom?! Oh my God, Adriano. We had sex in here.”
I let out a burst of laughter. “There’s a camera in every room, mia piccola farfalla. Only me and Rosie have access. And I only mention Rosie because she can hack into anything, but I know she won’t invade our privacy unless there’s an emergency, so don’t stress.”
“Oh. Where is the camera?” she asks, sounding curious.
“Ceiling. You won’t see it.”
I hear her move around our bedroom. “How’s work?”
“Done. I’m almost home.”
“Good. I miss you.”
“I miss you, too.”
When we hang up, Little Ricky mimics me, “Miss you, too.”
I slap the back of his headrest, which makes him chuckle.
Finally, he steers the SUV up the driveway, and when we get out, I tell him, “Be ready at six.”
“Got it.”
While he heads to his apartment, I stalk toward the front door that opens, and when I see my smiling wife, my heart fills with overpowering love for her.
“Hi.”
I don’t reply but just hook my arm around her, lifting her off her feet. Laurie grabs hold of my shoulders, and I don’t even bother shutting the door as I carry her to our bedroom.
“I missed you,” I say as I head up the stairs.
“I missed you more.”
I shake my head. “Impossible.”
Stopping beside our bed, I gently set her down, with the intention of jumping in the shower, but Laurie presses her mouth to mine.
I grip the sides of her head and kiss her with all the desire that’s been building inside of me the past several days.
Dr. Milazzo said as long as we’re careful, intimacy is fine after ten days.
I tear my mouth from hers before I lose every ounce of control, then mutter, “It’s going to be the longest four days of my fucking life, waiting until I can make love to you again.”
“Yep.” With flushed cheeks, she walks to where the dress is hanging. “Let’s get ready. I don’t want to be late.”
“How are things between you, Nina, and Yuki?”
“So good!” The smile spreading over her face is stunning. “They’ve been like two mother hens, checking on me every day. Nina sent me the cutest video of her daughter. Wanna see?”
“Sure.” For Laurie, I’d watch all the damn videos in the world.
She hurries to the bedside table and picks up her phone, and when she rushes to me, I mutter, “Slow down, mia piccola farfalla. Stop with the sudden movements, it’s making me nervous. The last thing I want is that fucking artery ripping open.”
Opening her phone, she finds the video and presses play.
It shows Georgi in the kitchen, peeling shells from a boiled egg, before sitting down beside Simi.
“Thank you, Daddy,” the little girl says, making surprise ripple over my friend’s face. “I like my eggs… ahh… a lot.”
I’ve never seen the man cry, but it looks like he’s really close to fucking tears as he presses a kiss to her head.
“You’re welcome, malkata mi printsesa. Your English is getting so good.
” I watch as he swallows hard on the lump in his throat, and his voice is hoarse when he says, “Daddy’s proud of you. ”
Christ.
The video stops, then Laurie grins up at me. “Aww, that one got you in the feels, didn’t it?”
“Of course. I love Georgi and seeing him happy makes me happy.”
Laurie puts the phone down, and when she begins to strip out of her clothes, my eyes rove hungrily over every inch of naked skin that’s bared to me.
“Fuck, my life. Four days. Four days. Four days,” I mutter as I walk into the bathroom to shower.
When the elevator doors open, I hear everyone, and stepping out, my eyes sweep over the entrance hall that’s been decorated with gold and pink balloons bobbing against the ceiling.
There are tables everywhere, pristine pink tablecloths and gold vases with flowers.
Servers stand at the ready, and the aroma of delicious-smelling food hangs in the air.
I hope Aunt Skylar prepared the food, because then we’re in for one hell of a treat.
With my hand on Laurie’s lower back, I make sure I’m always on her right, protecting her healing arm with my fucking life.