Finally, tired of the confrontation, my stiletto heel connected sharply with his gut, and I
slammed the door shut.
“I’ll let today’s matter slide.”
As the car pulled away, Rocco stumbled after it.
I wouldn’t have four years ago, and I certainly wouldn’t now.
He looked at me smugly.
Perhaps my tone was too harsh, or maybe the disgust in my eyes was too plain to see.
After getting Carmela settled in the hospital, Rocco finally remembered me.
Seeing my calm demeanor as I settled into the Don’s car, he paled.
Seeing me stand there so composed, a displeased scowl darkened Rocco’s face.
“A stunt? Rocco Corleone, don’t you forget your place.”
I looked at him, my patience worn thin.
Just as Rocco scrambled to his feet to confront me, the bodyguard blocked his path.
Only then did he seem to notice the license plate.
“So?”
What made him think I would listen to him?
I snorted.
“I’m here, just like you wanted. Why bother with the act?”
“Let go. Get out of
Get out of my sight.”
After getting the address of my penthouse on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Rocco rushed
over without a moment’s hesitation.
My words made Rocco laugh with rage.
Seeing me in a loose silk robe, a predatory glint ignited in his eyes.
“Lucia, I told you, this is Corleone territory. Here, you listen to me.”
As he spoke, he reached out to caress my cheek, pinning me against the door.
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Since when did I need his permission to get into a car?
He was so frantic that he didn’t even hear Carmela’s whimpers behind him.
That’s what had made him lose his composure.
I recoiled from his touch.
What a joke.
Seeing me remain silent, he advanced on me.
Look at that, playing the protective husband. It was utterly disgusting.
Of course, he hadn’t forgotten.
I didn’t understand who this sudden concern was for, but it turned my stomach.
So he really thought this was a game.
“What did you say?”
And he certainly never expected me to make a move on Carmela in front of everyone.
My nonchalance made Rocco exasperated.
“Everything you did tonight… wasn’t it all just to get me to come find you?”
“Get out of there, now. That’s not a car you’re allowed to touch.”
I didn’t bother wasting another breath on him and simply glanced at the bodyguard
behind me.
“Lucia, you’ve grown
bold.”
He ignored the pain as the heavy door pressed against his body, using his hand to block it.
The door was forced open, and Rocco stood in the entryway.
“Rocco, my stomach hurts so much, and I think I twisted my ankle.”
Rocco’s hand froze mid–air, a flicker of memory in his eyes.
“Lucia, just get out of the car.”
Rocco looked as if he hadn’t heard me correctly.
“Get out of the car.”
But Carmela, still on the ground, grabbed onto his leg.
Before he’d left to represent his family branch at the dinner, his father had warned him
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repeatedly to be careful.
Rocco was still reeling.
“Didn’t get beaten enough? You want me to kick you again?”
“You don’t know my uncle’s methods. No one in New York crosses him and lives to talk about it. Don’t ask for trouble.”
“Willing to risk bribing one of my uncle’s men just to lure me here.”
I gave Rocco one last dismissive glance and climbed into the Cadillac.
“But if anything happens to Carmela or our child, I will not let you go.”
Seeing that I was about to close the door, Rocco rushed forward.
“Lucia, you’ve got some nerve, pulling a stunt like this on Corleone territory.”
The jolt of hitting the gravel driveway shocked Carmela awake.
I spoke, my voice cold as ice.
But right now, his priority was stopping me from running wild in his family’s house.
He immediately ordered his men to find out where I was staying.
I had just hung up the phone when the apartment’s security alarm blared.
“Don’t touch me.”
“Lucia, get out! This is my uncle’s car–Don Salvatore’s car.”
But he never expected me to be here.
Only then did Rocco tear his gaze away and turn back to Carmela.
I glanced at him.
Seeing my lack of remorse, Rocco lost his patience and reached in to pull me from the car.
The man understood instantly, stepping forward and dragging both Rocco and Carmela
from the back seat.
The mockery in my eyes was undisguised.
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