Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

V incenzo

I didn't want to leave her, but I didn't see any other option.

In order to keep up appearances, I needed to keep up my daily life, which meant returning to my regular routine. I had errands to run, and a visit to my restaurants was long overdue.

Knowing Tony was on the property watching over Jenna was comforting, but that didn't mean that I wanted to be away for very long.

My cock didn't either.

Tony was a Navy SEAL before he came to work for me. His training and experience made him invaluable, but it was his unwavering loyalty that set him apart and because of that, I trusted Tony more than anyone I'd ever known.

In the chaotic years after I left the mafia, Tony was instrumental in helping me rebuild my life.

He was more than an employee; he was a friend and a brother-in-arms.

He'd proven his loyalty time and time again. In the early days after I left the mafia, Ricci had sent one of his best hitmen after me, hoping to send a message to anyone else who might consider leaving that they'd wind up dead.

The hitman had cornered me in a dark alley. I thought it was the end. One moment the gun was at my head, and the next, the assailant was on the ground, disarmed and incapacitated.

Tony had come out of nowhere, saved me, and I'd never forgotten that.

As I drove to the restaurant, I thought about that night and the many times Tony had proven his devotion since. Jenna was in good hands. Tony would protect her with his life, just as he had done for me.

I was sure of it.

When I arrived at my Italian restaurant, I took a deep breath and walked inside. The lunchtime rush was in full swing. I greeted the staff, checked on the kitchen, and made sure everything was running smoothly.

It was, but the boss needed to show his face from time to time.

I walked through the dining area, stopping to chat with regulars and ensuring they were enjoying their meals. It was important to maintain these connections, to show that despite everything that was happening in my life at the moment, I was still a part of this community.

After a few hours at the restaurant, checking on the staff and ensuring everything was in tip-top shape, I decided it was time to return home and make sure everything was okay. I said my goodbyes and headed back.

As I pulled into the driveway, I saw Tony standing by the front door, his sharp brown eyes scanning the surroundings. He was a tall man, a few inches taller than me in fact, and his body was toned by years of rigorous training.

I knew I'd never be able to beat him in a fight.

"Everything alright?" I asked as I approached.

Tony nodded, his expression serious but calm. "All quiet here, boss. Jenna's inside. She's safe."

"Good," I said, clapping him on the shoulder.

He gave a brief nod, his eyes meeting mine. "You know I've got your back, Vincenzo. Always."

I smiled, feeling a surge of gratitude. "I know. And I'm grateful for that."

Just as I was about to step inside, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I glanced at the screen and saw Logan's name. My gut tightened and I picked it up right away.

"Logan, what's up?"

"You're not going to believe this," Logan said, his voice laced with urgency. "But this whole thing is another level. It's above my pay grade kind of secret information."

"What are you talking about?" I asked, my mind racing.

"Turns out Ricci had a mole in his organization," Logan continued. "And that mole has enough dirt on him to send him to jail. The hitman you caught on your security footage—he was there to set you up so you can take the fall."

I felt a chill run down my spine. "Set me up? How?"

"Ricci is making up some bullshit about you being the real boss instead of him," Logan explained. "Claims you're a big arms trafficker, running guns to North Korea or something like that. It's way over the top, but it's enough to get himself off the hook with the FBI. The hitman was planting evidence and disabling some cameras."

My mind reeled. "So, the hitman was here to frame me, not kill me?" I asked, my voice wrought with disbelief.

"Exactly," Logan said. "They're trying to shift the focus onto you, make you look like the mastermind behind Ricci's operations."

I took a deep breath, trying to process the information. "Why didn't he just kill me?"

"Probably because a dead Vincenzo wouldn't serve their narrative," Logan replied. "They need you alive to pin everything on you."

I clenched my fist at my side, trying to keep my anger under wraps. "Ricci is trying to save his own skin by throwing me to the wolves."

"Looks that way," Logan agreed. "I'm digging deeper, but you need to be careful. They're not going to stop until they've got what they need and that's you behind bars."

"Thanks, Logan," I said, my voice tight. "Keep me updated."

"I will. Stay safe, Vincenzo," Logan said before hanging up. I pulled my shoulders back with a growl and turned back to Tony.

"Come on, Tony. I'll introduce you to Jenna."

He nodded once, forever the faithful soldier, and followed me inside.