27. Alexis

27

Ipace the room anxiously, glancing at the clock every few minutes. This meeting has me all twisted up inside, though I can't put my finger on why. There's something unsettling about Vincente Iacopelli. Something that awakens some primal part of me, wanting to flee when I'm in his presence.

"Quel uomo è pericoloso," the guard had whispered to me.

He is a dangerous man.

All I know is that I need Damian back by my side. The distance between us is making me more on edge than usual. And with the secret I'm carrying—that I'm pregnant with Damian's child—my nerves are frayed.

Deciding I need a distraction, I seek out Edo, hoping his calming presence might help soothe my anxiety. I find Damian's consigliere in his study, absorbed in some papers.

"Edo, do you have a minute? I could really use some company right now."

He looks up, pushing away some of his black hair off his face. He meets my gaze with a warm smile. "Sure, Alexis. Come, sit." He gestures to the chair across from him.

I settle into the plush seat, fidgeting with my hands as the unease bubbles up inside me. "It's this meeting with Vincente. I don't know, there's something off about him—something dangerous. And I'm so anxious for Damian to get back."

Edo nods before dropping his gaze back to his paperwork and scrawling a signature across the page—Edoardo Bianchi.

Bianchi, not Iacopelli.

I furrow my brow. It is now hitting me that he doesn't share the same last name as Damian and Nat.

"Your last name isn't Iacopelli," I blurt out.

Edo looks up, raising one eyebrow at me. "No, it's not."

"You aren't related to Damian and Nat?" I ask, unsure how this all works. I thought all crime families were related somehow.

He shakes his head. "No, I'm not related to them. My connection to the Iacopelli family is a bit different."

I lean forward, intrigued. "How did you come to be involved with them, then?"

He runs a hand through his hair, a pensive look on his face. "I'm the son of immigrants, Alexis. I grew up in Cabrini-Green. It's not—it wasn't the safest place to live." He exhales. "When I was in high school, I got into a bit of trouble—nothing too serious, but enough to catch the attention of the local Iacopelli capo."

Edo pauses, his eyes earnest. "Rather than turning me over to the authorities, he saw potential in me and offered me a chance to turn my life around. That's how I ended up here, working for the Family. It's not the life I would have chosen for myself, but it's given me stability and opportunity I never would have had otherwise. And enough money to send to my parents so they can live in a safer area."

"How did you end up meeting Damian?" I ask. "No offense, but you sounded like a low-ranking soldier. How did you cross paths?"

Edo smirks, his dark eyes lighting up with amusement. "In case you haven't noticed, Damian is a bit too full of himself. Damian's father placed him in a position of authority over my division and I… disagreed with Damian's methods. I had to kick the shit out of him a few times when he got too mouthy." He shrugs, looking quite pleased with himself.

"Damian's dad didn't try to kill you for beating up his heir?" I ask breathlessly. If someone beat up my baby, there would be hell to pay.

Edo tips his head back and laughs, a warm, rich sound. "Mio Dio, no. I think the Boss was pleased that someone actually took Damian to task. We've been friends ever since."

The mental image of a younger Damian getting the shit kicked out of him amuses me. "It's hard to imagine Damian getting his ass handed to him."

Edo grins. "I may be on the quiet side, but I've got a few inches and a lot of muscle on him. Damian's never really liked that I'm bigger and stronger." He shakes his head fondly. "When the Boss… died, it was a no-brainer for him to appoint me as his consigliere. I've been by his side ever since."

I'm amazed at the depth of their friendship. I never would've guessed. "I had no idea you two were so close."

He nods, leaning back so that his shirt strains against his broad chest. "Damian and his family, they gave me a chance when I needed it most. I'll always be grateful for that." His expression grows serious. "And that's why I'm always going to have his back, no matter what."

"Damian's a piece of work," I tell Edo, wanting to be honest since he gave me honesty.

Edo shrugs. "He may be," he says, "but he also uses his position to do a lot of good for the community."

"What do you mean?" I ask, intrigued.

"He donates regularly to the local church, the one where his parents married and all three Iacopelli children were baptized. He's also the reason the low-income public elementary schools in the area have free meals for students."

My eyes widen. "Free meals? How so?"

"He pays off every outstanding balance so those kids can eat," he explains. "He doesn't want a single child to go hungry. He does it in memory of Alessandra."

A swell of admiration rises up in me. For all Damian's flaws, deep down, he's a good person. "That's… actually really impressive. I had no idea he did all that."

Edo nods. "Damian even volunteers at the local UAW hall, making homemade spaghetti and meatballs or lasagna once a month for the workers."

Stunned, I sit back, processing this new information. Damian, the feared Mafia Don, is also a pillar of the community, using his resources to help those in need. It makes me wonder how he will be as a father.

My hand unconsciously drifts to my abdomen, where our child grows. Despite my initial fears, I have decided to keep the baby. Damian's impending return suddenly feels more urgent. I need to tell him the news, to see how he reacts.

"Thank you, Edo," I say sincerely. "Knowing all this about Damian… it means a lot to me."

He smiles warmly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm glad I could provide some perspective. Damian may be a complicated man, but he has a good heart."

He winks at me slyly. "You know, Damian's really been a different man since you came into his life, Alexis."

I feel my cheeks grow warm at his implication. "Oh? How so?"

Edo chuckles, his eyes gleaming with mirth. "Well, let's just say that Damian regularly getting laid makes him a lot more tolerable to be around."

Oh, God. If I could melt into the floor right now, I would. "Edo!" I scold, my face flaming.

He holds up his hands in mock surrender. "What? It's the truth! You've been a very good influence on him, Alexis." His expression softens. "Like I said, he's a good guy, deep down. And I think you've really brought out the best in him."

I feel a surge of affection for both Edo and Damian. "Thank you, Edo. That… means a lot to hear."

At that moment, I make a vow to myself. I will go to the doctor, get the proper prenatal care, and do everything in my power to ensure the health and well-being of our child. My baby's needs have to come before my own fears. Even if Damian wants nothing to do with me or our child, I will face this challenge head on.

Suddenly, a blaring alarm cuts through the air, causing Edo to snap to attention. His entire demeanor shifts as he transitions into his role as Damian's consigliere.

"Alexis, we're under attack," Edo says, his voice urgent. "I need you to go to your room, lock the door, and hide. Understand?"

I feel a surge of fear, my heart pounding. "What's happening?" I ask, my voice trembling.

"No time to explain," he says firmly. "A guard will take you to your room. Stay there until I come get you. Do you hear me?"

Before I can respond, a burly guard appears at my side. "Come with me, Miss," he says, gently but firmly guiding me toward the door.

As I hurry down the hallway, Biscotti comes scurrying after us. Despite the chaos, I can't help but feel a sense of relief at the dog's presence. Somehow, her familiar, stubborn energy makes me feel a little safer.

The guard ushers me to my room, and Biscotti scurries in as well, immediately making herself comfortable on the bed.

"What's going on?" I ask the grim-faced guard as he stands by the door.

"I'm not sure of the details, Miss," he replies. "But Mr. Edo says it's an attack, and we need to keep you safe. Just stay here and don't open the door for anyone but him, understand?"

I nod, my mind racing with questions and fears. The guard shuts the door, and I quickly lock it, my hands shaking. Scanning the room, I try to see if I can shove anything in front of the door. The dresser is too heavy, the antique wood seemingly a thousand pounds.

Sitting on the bed, Biscotti cuddles up next to me. For whatever reason, I can't help but feel a sense of profound gratitude for the loyal, if cantankerous, little dog.

The sounds of gunshots and frenzied shouting echo through the halls, causing my heart to race with terror. I clutch Biscotti tightly to my chest, the little dog's frantic whining only adding to the cacophony of chaos.

"Shh, Biscotti, it's okay," I whisper, my voice trembling. "We're going to be alright."

But deep down, I'm not so sure. I have no idea who is attacking us or what their intentions are. All I know is that Edo and the guards are out there, fighting to protect this place—and me.

I can only hope they will make it through this ordeal safely.

Suddenly, the sound of splintering wood makes me jump. My head snaps toward the door as it bursts open, and I let out a terrified scream.

Biscotti leaps from my arms, her tiny body bristling with defensive fury as she lunges toward the intruder, who kicks her away. I scream as Biscotti sails through the air and hits the ground. My blood runs cold when I see who is standing in the doorway.

A woman with striking red hair and cold eyes stares back at me, her clothes splattered with what I could only assume is blood.

"Hello, Maria," Scarlett Rafa says, her red-painted lips twisting in a vicious smile that makes her appear almost inhuman. "Or, should I say, Alexis?"