Blood & Roses

Chapter 14 -Trouble Comes Home

Adrian stood in the doorway, right in front of my door. His dark eyes were blazing.

I stumbled back. What on earth was he doing here? I swallowed nervously and opened the door. His hand stopped mid-knock.

"Why are you here—" But he cut me off mid-sentence.

"Do you have a death wish?" he barked, his eyes flashing with fury. "Do you know how dangerous it is to gallivant around—"

I straightened my stance and cut in, annoyance flaring. "I had to come home to my family. Go away!"

I tried to close the door, but he quickly wedged the door with his foot before I could slam it shut. His gaze swept the room behind me and lingered on Matteo and my mother.

"Let me in," he demanded.

" What? No! I don't want you near my family. They don't know about me working at the club!" I whispered furiously.

"I'm sorry to break it to you, Bella, but it's far too late for that. You're exposed; my rivals have seen you with me. Intel is that they'll come after you; you're not safe here. Come with me."

Anger flared within me. "We don't need your protection, and you don't own me! We are of no consequence to you and your so-called rivals. Can you please leave me alone? I asked and pushed the door against his foot in frustration.

.

He stepped closer, towering over me. " I'm trying to keep you alive."

"Who is that? What is going on, Bianca?" my mother asked. She was right behind me. In the heat of my argument, I hadn't heard her come so close. At the same time, Adrian's bodyguard — Pedro, I think, was his name — touched his comm device and said.

"Boss, they're here." And all hell broke loose.

Gunshots shattered the silence.

Adrian's guards converged on him, protecting him. He grabbed my shoulders and pushed me into the room. Four guards followed him in while the rest stood guard in the hallway and at our door. He shoved me behind him, shielding me with his body.

"The window! It's coming from the window! Block their view," Adrian ordered. He and his men returned fire through the window of our apartment.

Two guards rushed to turn the sofa in our sitting room. They pushed it toward the window, using it as a shield. Bullets tore into the fabric of our sofa; others pierced the walls. Shattered glass sprayed around and littered the floor.

Most of the gunshots came through the apartment windows — the ones facing the street. Shock was an understatement of how I felt. I saw everything in slow motion, and then I remembered my mother and brother.

"Mother! Matteo!" I screamed, struggling to get to them, but my arms held me back. Adrian's

"Let me go! Let me go!" I sobbed. Matteo was crying loudly too; he was frightened. I wanted to comfort him, to protect him.

.

"Calm yourself, Bella! They're fine. See?" Adrian's voice was calm. Too calm for my liking. I turned in his arms to see two of his bodyguards covering Mother and Matteo. They were alive.

Thank God!

I wouldn't forgive myself if anything happened to them because of me. Adrian and his men pushed back at the assailants until the gunmen fell back. We heard their vehicles screeching away.

"Pursue them!" Adrian barked. "Someone will answer for this."

I had seen Adrian angry before. But this — this cold, calculating fury — was something else.

I ran to my mother and Matteo and embraced them. Matteo was still crying; his mother was trying to calm us both.

"You're coming with me, all of you. You don't have a choice anymore," Adrian said, looking at me; his voice was firm like iron. It brooked no argument. I couldn't say a word. I turned to Mother apologetically. She patted my shoulder, turned to Adrian, and nodded.

At that moment, I realized a truth I had been avoiding: our lives were well and truly entangled with Adrian Moretti.

I had successfully dragged my entire family into the mafia underworld.

Into danger.

THREE MONTHS EARLIER

Adrian's POV

My car and convoy sped through the city.

I sat across from the other occupants. Bianca sat huddled with her mother and brother. The boy was still crying; his mother was pale but composed and comforting him. Bianca was holding on to them.

My hands clenched into fists on my knees. The knowledge that, by interacting with me, I had brought danger to her door infuriated me. And now I was taking responsibility; it was the logical thing to do.

You don't have a choice anymore.

The words echoed in my head. I had meant them. But they weren't just for her; they were also for me. I couldn't let her go. Someone had seen her with me and decided she was a target. What I could not fathom was how they knew she was becoming important to me. I still had a lot to figure out about her.

Rivals? Business enemies? Disgruntled workers, lord knows I had plenty of enemies. Someone wanted to hurt me by hurting her.

I didn't know who, but I would find out.

And when I did . . .

"Boss." Pedro's voice cut through my thoughts. "We're almost there."

I nodded in acknowledgment.

The house was another one of my safe houses; it was secluded and guarded.

They'll be safe here. The car pulled through a gate and up a long driveway, and a sprawling estate with high walls, security cameras, and guards at every corner came into view.

I got out and held my hand out for Bianca. Her eyes were red from crying; she looked exhausted. Broken. But she was alive; that's what mattered. She looked at my hand, hesitated, took it, and stepped out of the car. Her mother and brother followed suit.

"This way," I said, leading them inside. The house was already prepared; I always have staff that keeps my properties running and ready for use.

"Make yourself at home," I said. Bianca looked at me. Her eyes were unreadable. "Whatever you want, you let the guards or staff know."

Bianca's mother looked around the room and then at me with a poker face. Then she stepped forward and said.

“Thank you, Mr …?” She looked expectantly.

“Adrian. Adrian Morreti”

Thank you, Mr Adrian Moretti . . .

I nodded in acknowledgment and took my leave soon after.

My name didn't ring a bell to her; I wondered what she would do when she found out who I was.