~Salvatore~
For seven years I swallowed my pride, by playing second fiddle to my brother’s son. When I finally struck, he slipped through my fingers denying me the satisfaction I craved. I wanted him to suffer. Humiliation became my daily companion as I was forced to bow to a mere boy. But I swore that the very last thing in his sight would be my face—the face of the man who endured, who waited and who would end his life.
He was supposed to take his last breath weeks ago in that cell. But he got away. Denying me the ending I’d written for him. I savored every moment of his suffering—battered, broken, tortured, and chained like the animal he was.
Alban Berisha’s men fucked up. Alban Berisha’s men faltered at the worst possible moment, their incompetence handing Dominic’s crew the upper hand. I barely slipped away, saved only by the hidden passage I had chosen with foresight. The location had been selected for secrecy, but it became my salvation.
Dominic should have been eliminated the moment he was captured. Instead, I let my desire to see him broken cloud my judgment. That hesitation nearly cost me everything. Now, he still lives—not because of mercy, but because his humiliation is not yet complete.
My brother, Giancarlo Vitelli, the previous don, was working with Berisha before his death. It was a profitable alliance. Seven years ago, Dominic ended our involvement with the Albanians. He didn’t approve of their participation in human trafficking. Not me, once there is money to be made, I can turn a blind eye.
Berisha wasn’t happy to lose the lucrative contract with the New York Cosa Nostra. Ultimately blocking them from doing business in our territory. Being a smart man, I used their grudge and discontent with Dominic to my benefit. Their hatred of him, making the Albanians easy targets for manipulation.
My promise to re-establish the alliance between our organizations once I take over has earned me their support. But first, I must rid myself of Dominic.
Alban requested a meeting. Thanks to him, I’ve been able to stay under Dominic’s radar. His reach is far and wide. Now that he has partnered with Pavlov who deals in intelligence, it makes staying hidden more difficult. I’ve tried to cause discord between the two—but so far my efforts have failed. Intercepting Pavlov’s shipments was genius but it didn’t cause a rift between the two men as I intended.
Alban Berisha has offered me a sanctuary in his territory. This is where I’m currently awaiting his arrival. He doesn’t realize that I’m the one tugging his chain. Planting ideas into his head. I let him think that he’s the one running this show. Like when he went after Dominic’s precious doctor, it was I who planted the idea in his head. I’ve never seen my nephew go to such lengths to protect a woman.
Yet again, Berisha’s men have failed. With their inability to snatch the woman, which would've given us the upper hand. Ultimately, resulting in delivering Dominic into our hands.
Footsteps outside of the study snap me out of my thoughts. Alban enters the room followed by his two muscles. “Salvatore,” he greets me, reaching across the desk to shake my hand. I get up to pour us both drinks.
“So, what’s this about?” His lips twitch upwards with a smile. "I heard that your nephew is about to get married.” “What are you talking about?” “Don Vitelli is getting married to Elle Thomas, the doctor who saved him.”
I set the glass down in front of him, the amber liquid catching the light. “Alban, you should know better than to bring me rumors,”I said, my voice steady.
But his smile didn’t fade.
“It’s no rumor, Salvatore. The invitations are already being whispered through the city.” “Are you telling me that he is marrying the same woman your men failed to snatch?” This wipes the smile off his face. His jaw clenches.
“We’d have taken care of him by now if they hadn’t messed up. If they were a little more focused on capturing her than on their cocks—they would’ve been out of there before had Dominic arrived.”
Damn it! He’s marrying the woman so surely, she must be his weakness. I’m livid at the missed opportunity. She must be the key to destroying Dominic, and we missed a chance.
“Fuck you, Salvatore. Let me remind you that your nephew would have been dead already, if you hadn’t decided to play games. You’re the one who wanted torture him, giving his men time to free him.”
“Clearly arguing about whose fault it was, is getting us nowhere.” I attempt to calm the tension in the room. It wouldn’t be wise to lose the Albanians’ support at this juncture.
“The girl is the key. If we get to her, we get to him.” there’s a pause. Then the reply is low and deliberate: “Agreed, but he has her protected. It will be difficult getting to her. Dominic has her locked away behind the walls of his mansion. It’s a fortress.”
A plan of action begins to crystalize. “The church will be our best chance.” “My sources discovered that they are having the ceremony at the mansion.”
“Damn it! It appears we’ll have to wait for Dominic to let his guard down.” He adds, “We could use a diversion. My men will keep an eye on them. Once an opportunity presents itself,we’ll be ready.” Alban leaves with his men trailing behind him—after we formulate our plan.
Chapter 24
~Dominic~
Elle is right.
No matter how much I try to deny it, I can’t be with her twenty-four hours a day. God forbid, she falls into the arms of our enemy again—she’ll need to defend herself. To at least be capable of incapacitating her attacker to get away. Her petite frame will put her at a disadvantage. Being outweighed, she’ll need to be able to surprise an assailant.
After coercing her into agreeing to this marriage, I’ve been keeping Elle at an emotional distance. Yes, I want her more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life, but it scares the hell out of me. After the way my father treated my mother, I’m afraid that I would be a shitty husband like him. All I ever learnt from him is what I shouldn’t do as a husband.
Salvatore is still evading me. Who knew that the fucker would be smart enough to stay hidden. Dario’s team is still trying to get a lock on his location. Frustrated, I slam my hands on the steering wheel after I park my Porsche in front of the mansion.
Jimmy is waiting for me in the driveway when I open the door. I feel guilty for going bat shit crazy on him yesterday. The visible bruises on his neck peaking from the top of his dress shirt—reminds me that my feelings for Elle are out of control.
