We sit in the car outside Rosa’s after I checked to make sure it was empty. She said she needed a few minutes to gather her things. I hand Grayson a cigarette and take a drag off of mine.
“What’s the plan, boss?” Grayson asks, looking out the window.
“I take out Romano.” I lean my head back, the pressure in my temples almost unbearable.
“Commissioner O’Reilly is on board. He’s taking care of the cleanup. It will be like the Capri family never existed. They’re all staying a few blocks away; they came for Rosa’s wedding. I say we blow the fucking house up.” The thought of a giant fireball ending their reign makes me a little giddy.
“Now that, I can get on board with,” he chuckles.
This whole thing has turned to shit. “I’m sorry, Grayson.”
“It’s fine, Luca. I understand.”
“Once this is over, I’m out. I can’t do this anymore. I just want to sail away with Rosa. Far enough away, I won’t hurt my family anymore.”
“Luca, I’m a big boy. It’s the mafia. I knew what I was signing up for. As long as Maddie and my kids never end up in the firing line, it’s okay. You aren’t going anywhere.”
I couldn’t think of anything better than a quiet life with my girl.
I just hope I can pull this off. If I do, then we’re out of here, or I will die trying.
My phone starts ringing in my jacket, and I frown at the name that pops up on the screen.
“Enzo?”
“Luca. There’s been a police report of a disturbance at your mom’s. Reports are suggesting a break in. Cops haven’t arrived at the scene yet. Want me to wipe it and send my guys?” I can hear him typing in the background.
Fuck. The blood drains from my face.
“I’m heading there now. Yeah, clear it.”
“On it.” He doesn’t say goodbye before the line clicks.
“What’s happened?” Grayson asks.
“My mom. There’s been a break in.” Cold dread fills me.
“Shit,” Grayson hisses.
Rosa. Shit. I run up the stairs to her apartment and find her throwing clothes around her room, the drawers hanging open and empty.
“Baby, I need to go to my mom’s. There’s been a break in. Are you ready?” Panic throws my words out in a jumble.
“Oh god, is she okay?” Her hand flies to her neck and her face pales.
“I don’t know.” I swallow down the bile in my throat.
“I can’t find my phone. I need it to call Eva. Go check on your mom then come back here. I’ll be fine.” She digs into her closet, pulling dresses from the hangars.
“I’m not leaving you.”
Grayson clears his throat behind me. “I can’t get hold of your mom.”
Shit.
“Okay. Rosa. Lock the doors. If you need me, you call Grayson from this one.” I hand her my phone. “The password spells out Rosa–7072. I won’t be long. I love you, baby.”
“I love you, too, Luca.” She rushes to me and wraps her arms around my waist.
I drop her a kiss and sprint back to the car. This can’t be happening. I speed off into traffic, running red lights and gripping the steering wheel until my knuckles turn white.
I’m praying to God it’s just a break in. That she’s at Zumba or whatever it is she goes to all the time.
I pull up outside her house, unholstering my gun. I kick open the little gate and head to the side entrance. I motion to Grayson to go check the back.
He nods and heads off around the side of the house.
My feet crunch on the glass of broken picture frames. I bend down and pick up the photo that’s facing down on the floor. My heart in my throat as I turn it around. It’s me, Keller, and Mom on the day of Keller’s wedding in Vegas.
I creep towards the living room. Spotting the steaming cup of coffee placed on her little table in the kitchen, I know she was just here.
When I step around the corner, my gun clatters to the floor.
No.
No. No. No.
Bending over, I violently throw up at the sight. It feels like every internal organ is trying to tear loose and flee my body.
I can’t look. Smashing my fists into the nearest wall, my vision blurs from the pain.
“Fuck!” I scream at the top of my lungs.
I rush towards her and slide to a stop on my knees into a pool of blood smeared across her wooden floor. Her shirt is split open and a dark hollow is opened in the center of her chest. My trembling hands pick up the red mass resting on top.
Her fucking heart. The monsters ripped it right out of her. I slump over her, grabbing at my shirt. I can’t breathe, the metallic smell is suffocating me.
The clock on the wall ticks, and I sit there, staring. Her mouth is open, her gray hair is covered in blood. Sobs sear painfully through me.
“Mom, no. Not you.”
I pull her lifeless body onto my lap.
Resting my head against hers, I hurt so badly, I can’t even see.
“I’m so sorry,” I repeat over and over again. Squeezing her against me, I rock back and forth.
What have I done?
The front door crashes open, and I don’t even flinch. I’m too numb. I don’t care who walks through.
“Luca.” Grayson’s voice echoes through the room until he steps through the kitchen. “Shit,” he mutters when he sees me.
I can’t even look at him.
“Luca. We need to go,” he says quietly.
“No. I can’t leave her. Not like this.” I cling her tighter against me, her cold skin pressing against my cheek.
“Luca. Look at me.” He grabs my shoulder, but I refuse to turn.
She’s still a little bit warm. There is still some life there before she leaves me completely.
“We can’t stay here. Luca, it’s not safe. I’m so fucking sorry.” Tears brim in his eyes.
“No. Just leave me here.” I look back at Mom, uncontrollable tears pouring from me. “I love you, Mom,” I sob.
“Luca. Please.” He snatches my gun from the floor.
He crouches back down and takes her body from my lap.
My hands lay on my knees helplessly, covered in her blood. “I-I did this. I killed my own mom.”
“No, you didn’t. These assholes will pay, I promise you. Right now, we need to leave. The police are on their way, and we have to get back for Rosa.” He pulls me up, and I stumble. Nausea washes over me in waves.
Grayson grabs onto me. “I’ve got you.”
I follow blindly. I can’t even find the strength to look up. There is only one person I need right now.
“Take me to Rosa.”
