Undressed By The Mafia God novel Chapter 20

Chapter 20: That’s Why We’re In Trouble

Vito’s chest heaved. "It may not look like it right now," he barked, "but I was doing what I could to help us! That’s why we’re in trouble!"

She stared at him slowly, her eyes glossy but burning.

The front door flew open, slamming into the wall. One of Luca’s men burst into the living room, hand already hovering near his waistband, eyes sharp and alert.

"What’s going on?" he demanded. "I heard a scream."

"Nothing," Vito said quickly. "Just an argument with my daughter."

The man’s gaze slid past him. He took in Veronica’s rigid posture, the way one hand trembled at her side, the red mark blooming on her cheek. He catalogued it all.

His eyes met hers briefly. Then he stepped back.

"Call if you need me," he said flatly, already retreating. The door closed with a softer click this time.

Vito turned toward Veronica, the bravado gone. His shoulders slumped, apology swimming clumsily in his eyes. "Vee..."

She didn’t wait to hear it. She brushed past him, crossed the room, and snatched Luca’s jacket from where it lay discarded on the floor.

She climbed the narrow stairs to the roof, the city opening up around her.

She wrapped the jacket around herself, and stared at the sky until the tears burned out.

*****

Vito fell asleep with the television still murmuring in the background, the bottle half-empty on the nightstand. His dreams were thick and shapeless, guilt blurring into old memories, until suddenly he couldn’t breathe.

He woke choking, lungs screaming. He thrashed, hands clawing desperately at the pillow smothering him, his heart hammering.

He tried to shout. Nothing came out.

Panic exploded. His body bucked beneath the weight pinning him down. His fingers scraped against knuckles that didn’t budge. Stars burst behind his eyes. His life flashed in jagged pieces.

Just as darkness began to creep in, the pressure vanished.

The pillow was yanked away.

Vito sucked in air greedily, dragging oxygen into his lungs. Tears streamed down his face. He rolled onto his side, wheezing.

When his vision finally cleared, he froze.

Luca stood over him, calm as a man checking the time. He still held the pillow in one hand, fingers relaxed. His blue eyes were cool.

"Good evening," Luca said mildly. "You snore."

Vito scrambled back against the headboard, terror crashing through him. "Y-you—"

"I know," Luca cut in gently. "Rude of me not to knock. Didn’t want to wake you. But I find conversations like this work better when people are fully awake."

"Luciano!" Vito gasped, eyes stretched wide. His chest still burned from the lack of air. "What are you doing? What have I done?"

"Do you have any idea what ten million dollars is worth, Scalese?" Luca asked quietly. "Its more money than you will ever be worth, more money than you will ever make."

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