Page 82 of War Within
She shook her head, wiping her tears. “I'm fine. Just tell me.”
“Princess, your brother was not an innocent man.”
She shrugged away from my touch. “Neither are you!”
The pain in her eyes was overwhelming. I did not want to break her heart, but it was already broken, and she was assuming the worst already. Reaching over to a box of tissues, I yanked two out, handing them to her. She reluctantly took them, clutching them in her fist at her side.
I cleared my throat. “Do you want the short version or the long version?”
She buried her fists in her sides. “Long, I want answers.”
“I'm breaking almost every code your grandfather set for the family by telling you this.”
She shrugged, glaring. “I don’t care! I am an adult! I’m the daughter of a freaking mafia boss!” Enveloping her arms over her chest, she scowled. It was a look I had seen in my own reflection many times. She was unquestionably my daughter. “I demand to know what happened to my boyfriend and now my brother!”
“Very well.” I slipped my hands in my pockets, wandering the room. It was impossible for me to stand still. “Marco became jaded by this lifestyle and with that came a need for what I assume to be money or power.” I shrugged slightly. “Maybe both. At some point during all this, I guess he figured out I liked Jane.”
Valentina hung her head. It was impossible to know what she was thinking, but sadness swathed her expression. I wanted to hug her yet held back. She was going to hate me soon.
“Marco planted cameras inside her apartment.” I clenched my fists concealed by my pockets, trying not to pick up a nearby object and hurl it across the room as I paced. “He'd been secretly recording her every move, for longer than I want to admit.”
She gasped. “That's so gross! Are you positive it was him?!”
I nodded, coming to a stop ahead of her. “He'd been stalking her to the point he hired Tyler, Lily's boyfriend, just so he could keep a closer eye on Jane.”
Her eyes widened. “Does Lily know this?!”
I shook my head. “No, but it’s something I have to address with her, so please do not mention it.”
Her face relaxed as she dabbed the corner of her eyes with the tissue. “She’s the sweetest person alive, dad. It’s going to kill her. She’s already sad about him.”
“I’ll handle it.” Though I did not know how I would speak to her about it, I knew it would come up. I had to decide what I would say to keep details to a minimum. “Anyway.” I sighed. The bomb was about to drop. “I went to confront Marco twice. The second time I confronted him was after I saw the photos on his phone. He pulled a gun on me because I had one on him. I was searching for answers as he taunted me.” Taking a moment to collect my thoughts, I paused. Inhaling a deep breath, I braced myself. “He was about to kill me, when he turned the gun on Emir.”
Valentina gasped. “No no no! Oh my God, dad!” She threw her hands around my waist, sobbing into my chest.
“Wait a second, please.” Wrapping her tightly in my arms, I held her close. “Emir’s okay.”
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she peered up into my eyes.
“He was shot by Marco.”
Once again, she buried her face in my chest.
“But!” I raised my voice to grab her attention, before lowering it. “Emir’s injury was repaired in surgery. After Marco shot him, he was—” My voice trailed off.
She took a few steps back, wiping the wetness from her eyes.
“I promise he’s okay, but now I have a funeral to arrange for Marco.”
Shaking her head, she fell back into a black, leather chair, burying her face in her palms, sobbing. “I don't know what to say about Marco. I'm so confused, mad, sad.” She drew her knees into her chest, hugging her legs. “Where's Emir? Right now, I just want to see him, please.”
“He's in a special medical ward.” I bowed my head. “I’ll take you to see him tomorrow morning.”
It had been years since I was in this room, but I remembered it like it was yesterday. I had been in an accident and did not know who else to call, except Giovanni. While he was not happy, he never turned his back on me in an emergency.
The room’s décor had probably changed multiple time since then, but the walls and space around the furniture remained the same. It was now modern, decorated in white and blue with accents of espresso and walnut brown furniture. I roamed the room, running my palm along the television lift cabinet at the end of the bed.
It was good to be back. I was shocked he had not sold the place, but I was glad he did not. That one memory stood out to me. The act of kindness he displayed that night was something I would never forget. He was not known in the business world for his acts of kindness. He was one of the harshest, most feared men.
