Aurelio emits a rough, dry laugh, mocking me. “Yes, ‘brother.’ We will see you later, ‘brother.’” He kicks the back of my leg and roars, “Massacre these vermin! Am I not in charge here? Am I not the head of the family? Do not let them leave!”
Matti moves to protect Siena, and Vin snarls at Aurelio. “Shut up, Pop! We’re handling this. Don’t fucking make this worse.”
Aurelio heaves forward, trying to stand, but his eyes flash in pain as he grabs his wounded hip and falls back. “I brought her here for a reason! She will not leave this estate alive!”
Vin keeps his eye on Matti. “Shut the fuck up, old man!”
I raise my hand to Vin, Gi’s training kicking in.People want to feel heard and seen. Give them that even if you can’t give them what they want.“What did you want with her, Pop?”
“I want to see what Matteo is throwing his life away for. Make him face me like a man. And then I want to fuck his little cunt girlfriend in front of him.” Aurelio leans forward heavily on one knee, heaving with the exertion of speaking, his voice lowering to a raspy growl. “I want him punished for betraying me. For betraying the family. If he walks out of this room, Tommaso, Vincenzo, you are no longer my sons.”
No one moves. I love Matti like I love Vin, but I love Giovanna more than myself. I pull my gun and press the muzzle to Matti’s temple. “Don’t do it, Matti.”
“Fuck you, Tommy,” he grits out.
I know he hates me for this. But if he’s ready to defend Siena against his entire family after knowing her for a few weeks, thenhe’ll understand why I have to do this for Giovanna. She’s been the better half of my soul for over a decade now.
Aurelio grunts and struggles to stand. “Come here,piccolina. It’s time you pay for the trouble you’ve caused.”
Matti lunges for me, trying to take my gun, and Vin grabs him in a bear hug, trying to drag him to the ground. I’m working hard to keep a firm grasp on the gun when I see Aurelio bending Siena over his desk and smacking her ass.
“FUCK! Pop, no!” I yell.
Aurelio has his dick out and pushes against her ass, bending over her, looking at us like she is. He grunts out, “I like her, Matti. Your woman is—”
Before he can finish, Siena slams the side of her head into his, and Aurelio yells out, reeling. She drives her head back into his face over and over. I start to panic. She manages to get loose from him and lunges at him, sinking her teeth into his cheek. Aurelio’s scream is high-pitched and strikes me right through the heart.
Matti and Vin turn to watch Siena in her struggle. She’s a fucking badass, but while Vin and I freeze, Matti tears into motion, tackling Aurelio off her. Vin and I grab Matti, trying to pull him off, but Siena ends up in the mix, and Matti wraps his hands around Aurelio’s throat, squeezing until he starts to turn blue.
Vin grabs Siena and pulls her out of the melee, while I train my gun on Matti’s head. “MATTI!”
If Matti heard me, he doesn’t let on, so I shout his name again, then point my gun at the ceiling and shoot.
The shot jolts Matti out of his rage-induced stupor. He releases Aurelio, who collapses to the floor and lies still, then he stands and shoves me.
“What the FUCK is your problem?” Matti yells.
“Giovanna,” I snap, my tone icy. For a second, I see understanding flicker across Matti’s face, but it disappears into a glare.
“You fucking pull a gun on me again, and I will end you.”
I hold his gaze without flinching but don’t respond as tension pours off Matti.
Matti turns to Vin. They square off, but an understanding passes between them.
Vin’s voice is tight. “Take care of her. Keep her here as long as she needs. We’ll keep him away from both of you.”
Matti snaps his fingers at Siena, telling her to get up. She glares up at him, then works hard to stand, using a fireplace poker as a cane. Before any of us realize what is happening, she lunges toward Aurelio, brings the poker high up over head then drives it into his dick with everything she has. Blood spurts out of Aurelio’s groin as he screams, his eyes popping open wide.
Vin and I sprint to Aurelio, shouting his name. Vin kneels down trying to figure out what to do first, and I pull out my phone, texting guards to come get him and Dr. Rossi to meet us in the surgical room ASAP. As I do, Siena wilts where she stands like she can’t bear her own weight, and Matti scoops her up, throwing her over his shoulder.
It reminds me of Giovanna. My heart hurts.
**
Aurelio’s breath comes in ragged bursts, Vin and I flanking him on either side. Blood darkens his shirt, and I step in close until the smell of old cigars and blood is overwhelming. We ordered Dr. Rossi to make him comfortable but keep him coherent. It’s a hard ask, and I waste no time.
“Tell me where she is.”
