I grab the wrist of his knife-wielding hand and twist until the knife drops to the ground. I punch him in his face, and then I give him body shots that I know for sure will leave him with bruised kidneys. He coughs and gags as if he’s going to vomit, but I keep hitting.
Ross tries to swing, but it’s wild and out of control. He crashes into my desk, sending papers everywhere. He stumbles, knocking over a chair, before regaining his balance. As he stands upright, I grab him and give him an uppercut that sends him flying into a small table by the couch.
I don’t usually have a lot to say, but when I’m handing out consequences, I tend to express myself more. But there’s only one thing I want to say to this motherfucker….
“Mindy is mine.” I stomp him in his chest while he’s on the ground, and he starts to squeal.
I lift my foot up to smash his fucking head in, but I’m grabbed. I don’t lose my cool because I knew Paolo was there. He stood by while I beat the shit out of Ross Stewart, but he knew when I would take it too far.
“Cugino, you good?” Paolo asks.
I nod even though I’m far from good. This man truly doesn’t know who he’s fucking with. If he thinks he can just waltz in here and cause chaos, then he’s underestimated me.
“Get this motherfucker out of here and get Niro on the phone. Now!” Paolo shouts to the men who have filed into my office.
While Paolo takes care of my mess, I go to get Mindy out of the bathroom. I don’t have any idea where her head is. She could be put off by all of the violence and want nothing to do with me. However, she should know by now that I will do anything to protect her.
I wait for them to carry a groaning Ross out before getting the key to the bathroom and unlocking the door. Before I could step all the way through the door, Mindy flings herself at me. I catch her and pull her close as she sniffles into my neck. I can feel her tears, and for the first time, my heart aches.
Mindy doesn’t deserve any of this, especially from a piece of shit like Ross Stewart. He’s hurt her for the last time. I was going to let him live after making his life hell, but now not only will he regret the day he was born… he will beg for me to end him.
“It’s okay,Coniglia. I’ll always protect you.”
“I know, Luca. But you shouldn’t have to. Look at your office,” she sobs brokenly. “I brought this mess to you. I’m so sorry. I’m trying to divorce him and get a restraining order, but…”
“But what?” I lift Mindy’s face up so I can stare into her eyes.
Mindy shakes her head, “I… nothing. This is not your problem.”
I knew she wouldn’t ask for my help, and she won’t have to. I know she’s been looking for a divorce lawyer. I tried to let her do things on her own because she’s been controlled her entire marriage. However, that ends today.
“If it’s a problem for you, it’s a problem for me. I’ll solve it, you just gotta let me in,” I say softly, almost pleading with her to trust me.
“I have to get a divorce from him. I can’t live like this anymore,” she cries.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry.”
CHAPTER
FOURTEEN
ARRESTING DEVELOPMENTS
LUCA
Roman was pissed as fuck when he showed up to the office. He had no idea that I was even seeing anyone. He’s wrapped up in his own woman, and the battle with the Giuliani family is raging on. I didn’t think he would notice my disappearance as much as Paolo and Niro did.
I should’ve known that my brother is always aware of everything that goes on with me. He is the Don of the Dalonzo organization for a reason. I know I’ve been acting out of character because I was obsessed with Mindy, but Roman understood more than I gave him credit for.
Once my brother and cousins were let in on my secret obsession, I felt lighter than I ever have before. It’s one of the reasons why I’m taking Mindy to meet my parents. Everyone in my family needs to meet the woman I plan to marry.
As soon as I make her a widow, I’m putting a ring on her fucking finger.
It took some convincing to get Mindy to realize that I wasn’t going anywhere, especially after Ross’s stunt. She accepted the fact that Jules is her shadow. Although I can see the questions inher onyx eyes, she hasn’t asked about me being in the mob again. I’m glad, but I still don’t know how I want to respond.
“Luc are you sure I look okay. You can’t just casually spring on me that we’re meeting your parents for dinner.” Mindy pulls at the hem of her dress for the millionth time.
I pull on the hand I’m holding to get her to stop walking. She looks up at me with a furrowed brow. I lean down and kiss her lips slowly. The little sigh she lets out does something to me. I instinctively want to turn around and go back home to quench the growing need I have for her.
