AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Genesis’ eyes flash as she rounds on him. “Did I ask for your opinion, Romero? No? Then shut it.”
The tension between them is palpable. Their relationship has always been a strange dance of antagonism and attraction, neither willing to admit to the latter.
I clear my throat, drawing their attention back to me. “Gino’s not just back. He’s making moves, big ones. He’s got Chicago backing him, and he’s not playing by the old rules anymore.”
Genesis’ expression turns serious. “How bad is it?”
I hesitate, the image of my burning car flashing through my mind again. “I don’t have proof, but I have a feeling Ginoordered the car bomb on my car. And I suspect he’s the one who set fire to Perfezione.”
Genesis’ face goes white. For a moment, we both remember the fire at her family’s florist shop, the night that scarred us both. Genesis’ family was targeted by the Timpone family, extorted for money, and when they couldn’t pay, Gino Timpone set the shop on fire. I ran in because I heard someone screaming for help.
Luckily, I was able to get Genesis out, and we’ve been friends ever since. She was a child and was never meant to be a target. The backlash threatened the Timpone Family, and they sent Gino away, never to come back to New York.
At least until Antoni Timpone died.
She swallows hard, her eyes meeting mine. “So, he’s back to finish what he started?”
“It looks that way,” Romero says quietly, stuffing his hands into his pockets and rocking onto his heels. “But this time, he’s not just a rogue operator. He’s the fucking head of the Timpone Family.”
Genesis bites her lip. “What does Gino want with Perfezione? The place is neutral territory. Everyone knows it.”
“The bastard wants protection money,” I spit out, still remembering Fee’s screams as I carried her out of the shop. “And I intend to make him pay for that.”
Genesis cocks her head to the side. “What does it matter to you?”
I hesitate, unsure how to explain my connection to Perfezione and Sofia. Genesis, ever perceptive, holds up a finger.
“Wait a minute,” she says, her eyes narrowing. “Whatexactlyis your involvement with Perfezione? You’ve never mentioned it before.”
I clear my throat, suddenly feeling exposed. I ignore Romero’s knowing smirk. “It’s… complicated. The owner, Sofia, she’s…”
“Ah,” Genesis interrupts, a knowing smile spreading across her face. “I see. Sofia, huh? Tell me more about her.”
I shift uncomfortably. “She’s just someone I’m trying to help. Gino’s been causing trouble for her shop.”
Genesis’ smile widens. “Just someone you’re trying to help? Angelo, I’ve known you for years. I can tell when there’s more to the story.”
“It’s not like that,” I protest, but even I can hear the lack of conviction in my voice.
“I think it’s great,” Genesis says, her tone softening. “You deserve someone in your life, Angelo.”
I shake my head, memories of past pain surfacing. “Love isn’t for me, Genesis. You know that. The people I care about… they always end up as targets. My father, you… I’m never where I need to be to stop tragedy before it happens.”
Genesis’ expression turns serious. “Angelo, you can’t keep punishing yourself for things that weren’t your fault.”
“Can’t I?” I mutter, more to myself than to her.
Genesis sighs, then abruptly changes the subject. “So, what’s the plan with Gino? I say we hunt him down now, deal with personal lives later.”
I shake my head firmly. “No, that would start a war between all the Families. We need to play this smart. Gino needs to go down, but for reasons not related to the Mob.”
A smirk plays on Genesis’ lips. “Revenge is always sweeter when it’s personal.” She sighs. “But you’re right, even if I’m the one to do it, it might still come off as a hit, given our history.”
“Exactly.” I nod. “We need to be careful, strategic. One wrong move, and everything could blow up in our faces.”
Genesis paces the room, her mind clearly working through possibilities. “What if we find some dirt on him? Something that would turn the other families against him?”
“It’s a start,” I concede. “But we’d need solid proof. And knowing Gino, he’s probably covered his tracks well.”
