Chapter 326
The Lucano and Casalini families were at war now—a beef so nasty it’d make a slaughterhouse look tame. For Stephanie, Richard was personal, a walking scar. He’d been Sebastian’s brother once, tight as hell. Sebastian had trusted him, counted on him, treated him like blood. And Valentina—that backstabbing snake—had played the bestie card with her, all fake grins and bullshit.
In Long Harbor these past years, Stephanie had been itching to rip into Richard, her hate bubbling, never letting up. Now she’d finally got her chance, and all that built-up rage was spilling out. Richard’s patience was wearing thin as she hung on.
“Stefi, I said let go,” he growled, his voice dipping into something colder, meaner. Richard’s grip clamped down on her jaw again, no mercy. Stephanie flinched, her teeth popping apart as the pain hit, a thin streak of blood dripping from her lip.
“Take me back,” she hissed, teeth gritted, anger roaring through her voice. Richard raised an eyebrow. “I stuck my neck out grabbing you—you think I’m just gonna drop you off, my little fiancée?” Before the words even settled, Stephanie spat another glob of blood right in his face, quick and dead-on.
Richard wiped at the mess on his cheek. “You grew up fine, but what’s with this attitude now?” Back in Fiorenza, she’d been a different vibe—quiet, sweet, always stuck to Sebastian’s side like a shadow. She’d call him “Seb” in that soft, lilting voice, so gentle it could thaw a glacier. Now? This spitfire energy of hers threw him for a loop.
Over on Sebastian’s side, Elliot gave the rundown, voice calm but tight. “Sir, Richard says if you don’t back off, he’ll take Miss Giovanni down with him—jump the chopper and call it a day.” Sebastian’s eyes narrowed, a cold spark flickering in them. A chill rolled off him, sharp and deadly. “Find out what the hell he wants,” he growled, keeping his rage on a tight leash.
Elliot nodded. “On it.”
Back at Shallow Bay Area, the night wind sliced through, smoke and gunpowder still clogging the air. Ella had been on the phone with Stephanie when it all went nuts—screams, shots, total chaos. Ignoring the pain in her tailbone, she’d jumped off the hospital bed and raced to Shallow Bay.
No cops called—she wasn’t that dumb. This mess was too messy. She’d figured it out ages ago: Stephanie ran with big dogs, the kind you don’t rat out. Calling the law could backfire hard.
Chapter 326
Worried out of her mind, Ella had to check it out herself. But the second she got there, she saw Lorenzo going full savage. Smoke drifted from the gun in his hand, the air stinging with burnt powder. Macro ditched his rich-boy act, tucking his piece away.
“Talked to Elliot—they’ve got enough muscle. We’re solid here,” Macro mumbled under his breath. Lorenzo slid his gun back and glanced over his shoulder. A rustle hit his ears, and he turned—locking eyes with Ella as she climbed out of her car.
Ella didn’t have time for weirdness. Fear choked her up, her legs shaky as hell. Blood—way too much blood—pooled on the ground, bright and nauseating. With the snow drifting down, it was like a horror flick, red soaking into white like some messed-up art piece. Her shaky lips opened, but nothing came out—just big, stunned eyes. She stared at Lorenzo, her heart pounding so hard it might break a rib.
Macro clocked her and strolled over, long legs eating up the distance. “Back already? Didn’t get what you wanted last time, huh?” Ella blanked. Her brain couldn’t process his words. Lorenzo’s brow furrowed. Then he stepped up and whacked the back of Macro’s head. “Guess Sebastian went soft on you—no weighted laps, huh?”
“You sneaky jerk,” Macro muttered, rubbing the back of his head. Those dozen laps had damn near wiped him out—he was still huffing, working the kink out of his neck. Weights? Might as well sign his death warrant.
Lorenzo turned a cold stare at Ella. “What’re you doing here?” “I—I came for Stefi. She…” Ella scraped together every bit of nerve to look him in the eye, her voice shaky. She needed answers, her heart pounding like crazy.
Lorenzo’s response was flat, done. “You won’t see her for a bit.” “Huh?” Ella’s eyes popped wide, confusion all over her face. “Her fiancé came to grab her,” Lorenzo said low, turning his back.
Ella’s brain froze. She was totally lost. “Fiancé? Who? When?” She stood there, her mind turning into a jumbled mess. Ella remembered Stephanie was into the guy growing up with her. She’d never heard her mention this fiancé.
‘And Shallow Bay Area looking like a battlefield—is that him too?’ The more Ella thought, the more her head spun. She was stuck, clueless.
Chapter 320
Lorenzo pulled out a cigarette, lit it up. Can you heard Buck? Ella stuttered, “1-1 can.” She nodded, legs will wobbly. “Then go. This isn’t your vibe,” Lorenzo said, Blicking her a quick look before walking off.
“But—is Stefi in trouble?” Ella blurted out, worry thick in her voice. The word “fiancé” hit her like a brick. Then Ella realized that back then, Chris was basically a clown.