Ruthless Heart

Roman arrives with his usual bodyguards in tow. He’s made enough enemies that we keep several guys locked up here with him, round-the-clock protection—for a hefty price.

“Son.”

He shuffles into the room. His health took a hit a few years back, but he’s still looking sharp: Clean and shaven, with his salt-and-pepper hair slicked back. He takes a seat at the table, and nods to the guard at the door. “Jerry,” he says, friendly. “How’s the new baby?”

“Keeping the wife up,” Jerry replies.

“They always do. Why don’t you go grab my son and I a couple of cold sodas,” he says, like he’s in a fancy restaurant. “We’ll be just fine on our own.”

Jerry looks around the hallway, then nods.

“Take your time,” Roman adds, as he strolls away. His own guards take up position outside the door, and close it.

We’re alone.

“So, it’s been a while, son,” he says, assessing me. His voice is still friendly, but his eyes are cold. “Anything you want to tell me?”

I don’t have to tell him a damn thing. He has spies among my men, and they’ve already filled him in.

But he wants to hear it from me.

“I found Lily Fordham a few weeks ago,” I reply, calmer than I feel. Hell, just speaking her name makes me want to burn something to the ground. “Her father’s dead. Cancer. We checked it out. It’s legit.”

Roman exhales, his lips curling in a smile. “Good. That fucker can rot in hell.”

He pulls a packet of cigarettes from his jumpsuits, and lights one, taking a long drag. “So, why is the girl still alive? Wait, don’t tell me. I hear you two have been getting nice and close.”

I don’t react. “She’s been useful.”

“I’m sure she has.” Roman’s mouth thins. “And now she’s being useful to the Feds, just like her whore of a father. You really fucked this one up. Christ, son, what the fuck were you thinking?”

“I know what I’m doing.” I refuse to rise to his bait, even though a part of me recoils at his anger. The little kid, still striving for his approval. “I’ve got it covered.”

“Do you?” Roman stands, slamming his hands on the table. “Is this what you call leadership?” he demands, roaring in fury. “Getting your dick wet while shit gets out of hand? I made this organization.” He growls. “I built this fucking empire with my own two hands, and I won’t stand by and watch you piss it all away!”

I stand. “I’m taking care of it. The Feds have nothing.”

“You better hope that’s true!” he yells. “Because no son of mine is going to destroy everything I’ve worked for. Get your fucking house in order, or I’ll do it for you!”

I walk out, with his threat ringing in my ears. He means it, too, and God knows he still has the pull to make it happen. Guys who came up under him, who are loyal to him, no matter what. Any one of them could come for Lily.

Unless I do it first.

Fuck, that girl…

I drive back to the city, my knuckles white on the steering wheel as betrayal forms into a lead weight in my stomach.

She did this. She ruined everything. If she could have just held to our deal, I could have protected her. Been free to love her, the way I’ve been wanting to half my damn life.

But instead, she stabbed me in the back, like what we’ve shared meant nothing to her.

And maybe it didn’t. Maybe I was the fucking fool, all along.

I think of her up on the rooftop, watching the sun rise. Gold in her hair, cheeks flushed from my cock. Too damn perfect, I couldn’t help but fall to my knees and worship her. She was probably laughing at me the whole time.

Counting the minutes until she could deliver me up to the FBI. Send me to prison for the rest of my life.

My father’s right. So is Chase. The smartest thing I could do right now is put a bullet right between those pretty blue eyes and end this mockery for good.

But can I do it? Can I really snuff out the light in her soul and leave her body rotting at the bottom of the river?

No matter how much I hate her, how deep her cruel betrayal runs, she’s still the only woman I’ve ever loved.

My Lily.

The lead weight hardens, bringing me a new resolve. I know what I’ve been raised to do. Be ruthless. Be smarter than everyone else.

Be willing to do the unthinkable to keep the Barretti empire safe and strong.

There’s only one way out of this. My decision is made—and I’m going to see it through.