Chapter 123: 123 ~ Jace
There was something off with Mira.
I could see it in her eyes.
For the last couple of days, she had that lost look in her eye, like she was drowning under pressure. She was constantly cooped up in the room opposite mine. Every time I tried to bring her out, she said she just didn’t want to run into any of my family members. No matter how much I insisted, she refused.
Her explanation was valid but I knew it wasn’t the whole truth.
But I couldn’t fully focus on her at the moment. I had other pressing matters at hand - my supposed family members.
My plan was already in motion.
It took a lot for me to not go off and kill Enzo in a fit of rage once my guards reported that he had touched what’s mine. How dare he put his hands on my most prized possession? My wife was off limits and he should have known better.
I was impressed with how Mira handled herself around him. She was indeed my donna.
But I would make him pay for it. He wasn’t prepared for what was coming to him.
~
I pedalled angrily as I drove for yet another meeting. Tomas was in my ear rambling about work details.
He did say something that intrigued me.
"They’re leaving tomorrow. They’ve met up with Ricciardi a few times." He said,
I squeezed tightly on the steering wheel.
The audacity they had to be staying under my roof and be plotting against me. They didn’t even know how to clean up their tracks properly.
Dumb motherfuckers.
"Make sure all the cars are checked for hidden cameras. I also need a full security sweep on every part of my property."
"On it, boss."
The call ended and while I tried to focus on the road but the face of a certain brunette flashed before my eyes yet again.
She was in the same house as me but I missed her. I really needed to find out what was going on in her head.
I hated that she was pushing me away again even when I thought we were already making progress.
The walls she had mounted over the years were hard to break through and even though her reasons were understandable. I just wanted her to see that I loved her and would do anything for her.
I pushed thoughts of her to the back of my mind as I arrived at my destination.
I hadn’t been to the Casino in so long. I had been delegating duties since the ’depressing episode’ I had when Mira left. That was what my mother called it but she kept insisting it was for the best.
It was a dark time for me. But it was the past now. I was just glad to have her back.
Walking in, the whiff of cigarettes hit my nostrils. That was when it dawned on me that I had not smoked in quite a while. I didn’t even feel the need to anymore.
I looked around the busy space searching for the man I was supposed to meet.
My eyes fell on him. He was hard to miss in his signature gray jacket and sunglasses even when a room was as dark as the inner walls of hell.
"Nice to see you Romano." He got on his feet.
"Pleasure’s all mine Russo." I said, giving him a bro hug.
"Our names still have a nice rhyme to it. Too bad you’re taken now."
His sister and I had a casual thing some years back and she didn’t want to let me go. But I already knew who my wife was going to be so there was no point.
"It’s a good thing." My mouth lifted in a slight grin at the thought of Mira.
Our relationship was still rocky but I was still elated to at least have her by my side.
"You are thoroughly smitten." He teased.
"I know." I said, gesturing for one of the waiters to take my order.
"So are you."
I had heard all about how his parents had forced him to marry a small town girl to preserve their legacy and he was head over heels in love.
He smiled as we took our seats.
"You have it?" I asked seriously.
The small talk was over.
"I do."
He put the briefcase on the table and unlocked it. I assessed it properly and nodded.
"It’s perfect. The wire transfer has been initiated." I informed him.
He arched a brow. "And the document?"
"Slipped it into your bag as we shook hands." I smirked.
"Sneaky fox. You’re a don not a conman."
"A man can’t have too many skills." I chuckled.
"I’ll keep it safe, I promise."
"I trust you will. You know what’s on the line if you don’t."
His eyes darkened a bit before he laughed again.
"It’s all love brother. This is the world we were born in."
I nodded. "Heard you’re about to be a father. Congrats."
"How on earth...?"
It was my turn to laugh. "Come on, Russo, I know everything."
"You and the missus should stop by when the baby’s born." He said before taking a gulp of his drink,
"I’ll surely keep that in mind." I said, even when I wasn’t sure Mira would want that considering the fact that she may be reminded of our loss.
The guilt crept into my chest every now and then. This was one of those moments. But I didn’t let it sit for long.
Getting on my feet, I shook hands with him. Picked up the briefcase and we went our separate ways until the next time we would need to meet up again.
We barely crossed paths but when we did it was for something of great importance.
On the drive back, I decided to stop and get some flowers for Mira.
White roses had become our signature. They reminded me of how pure she was. A contrast to me with my bloodstained hands. She was the angel and I was the devil who brought her to hell with me and never wanted to let go.
"A note sir?" The florist asked me, drifting me out of my thoughts.
"Yes."
I told him what I wanted on the note and it was scribbled up in no time.
I slipped back into my car, placing the bouquet on the passenger seat.
The hairs on my back stood all of a sudden and I felt strange chills.
I needed to get out of here fast. Something was off.
Immediately, I ignited my engine, signalling the vehicle behind me to look around for threats.
I considered the safety of everyone around and sped off disregarding the traffic rules.
We were at a safe distance from the florist shop, speeding on the highway when I heard it.
Boom!
The car behind me burst into flames. I watched it with from my rearview mirror.
"Fuck!!!!" I yelled, slamming my fist into the steering wheel.
Two of my men were in there.
I don’t know who was driving it but the person stepped on the brakes immediately until the car came to an unceremonious halt. The flames seemed to increase.
I parked at a distance and jumped out of my car, trying to go back for them as I heard the sirens from afar.
I couldn’t see through the flames if they were still alive and could be saved.
The ambulance arrived as well as the firefighters minutes later. They extinguished the fire but it was too late. There was no saving them.
I felt the heaviness that clogged my chest. It pressed on me like a weight I couldn’t get rid of.
That could have been me too, I thought. The realization dawned on me and I felt a slight chill in that moment.
The police took me to their station to give a statement.
I was driving behind them when my phone beeped.
’It could have been you. Take this as a warning, Romano.’
It was a private number.
I squeezed my phone so hard, I thought it was going to crack.
I knew exactly who did this. I was going to drink his blood. It was a promise.
I hid the message just in case the authorities decided to do a check or something. I didn’t want to risk them digging into the case especially because I was about to take matters into my own hands.
I heard a tap on my window. "Mr Romano?"
I didn’t even realize we had reached the station. I was so lost in thought, I was driving on autopilot without realizing it. I glanced at the bouquet next to me. The officer did too.
"For the Missus?"
"Yes." I said like I was in a trance. "She’d be worried sick."
"You’ll be out of here in no time sir."
I went in and sat down answering the mundane questions they threw at me.
"Do you have any idea who might have done this?"
"No." I lied smoothly.
"We’ll keep in touch during the investigations Mr Romano."
"I look forward to it." I said, getting on my feet. I shook hands with the officer and turned to leave.
"Feel free to let us know if occurrences like this repeat themselves."
"Sure thing." I gave him a stiff smile.
"I hope not." I mumbled under my breath as I stormed towards my car.
Tomas was there with another car.
"I’ll drive you," he offered.
I nodded. He knew just what I needed.
"Send word to their families with condolence packages." I instructed.
"On it, boss."
I squeezed the flowers on my thighs. I was filled with rage.
The audacity it took to play such games with me. The nerve he had to threaten me like a mere civilian.
Massimo had messed with the wrong one and I would drain every last drop of his blood.
That was a promise.