Chapter 3 Ghosts Of The Past

• Dominic POV
• I had never expected to feel attached to any woman before, especially after a night, but Alessia was different. She was just some woman and yet I couldn't get her out of my mind.
• I left her a note. She was bold following a stranger to his home.
• When I returned to the room, Alessia was gone. Madame Calista gave me the side eye when she came to change the sheet.
• I retreated to my private office room and Madame Calista returned to me a few minutes ago later, staring at me until I felt uncomfortable.
• She was the only one that could ever do that to me. She was like a mother figure in my life.
• “Is it not time you settle down, Dominic?” She asked.
• I looked up from my laptop and stopped typing. “Not yet,” I answered.
• “Hmm, how long are you going to keep playing? You're closer to the grave everyday especially with your line of work,” she continued.
• I sighed and took off my glasses. “Why are you so interested in me settling down?” I asked. She always had something up her sleeves.
• “I don't know. Probably for you to have a family and with someone decent. You need that considering your lifestyle,” she shot at me.
• “You're aggressive, today,” I answered calmly.
• “Shouldn't I? I never thought a decent woman would be so stupid as to sleep with you,” she spat.
• I laughed mockingly. “None of the women have been decent.”
• “Until last night,” she added.
• This time I was intrigued. What did she know about Alessia? I found it weird I remembered her name unlike the other women.
• I glanced at Madame Calista, wondering what she was talking about.
• She looked at me in disbelief. “Don't tell me, you don't know?”
• “Know what?” I asked, watching her.
• “The sheets were stained last night,” Madame Calista said.
• “So what? Aren't they always stained?” I asked and returned to typing on my laptop.
• “With blood,” she said and I immediately lifted my gaze to meet hers.
• Blood? Why would there be blood? Was she sick? Was she injured? Oh no.
• “You don't mean….” I said, shocked.
• “Yes, except you were too drunk or just being a devil as usual. You should have been able to tell the difference,” Madame Calista spat.
• She was a virgin! How? She didn't say anything and her dress didn't look that decent either.
• “And you stupidly sent her away like the others with your lousy methods. I am literally tired of you, Dominic. If I was her, I would shoot you in the nuts,” she replied.
• She left and I was left to my thoughts in silence. How did I not know? It made sense as to why she didn't take the pay. We had drunk a lot that night but I was still in control.
• I sighed, running a hand through my dark hair. I had messed up twice today.
• *******
• Few Hours Earlier:
• I struggled to light my cigar, then a lighter came on. Matteo smiled warmly as he brought the lighter closer to my cigar.
• I took a puff and stared at the city from the rooftop garden in my penthouse.
• I smirked, smoking my cigar. I glanced at Matteo. “Any updates on yesterday's incident?” I asked coldly.
• Matteo nodded and handed me a folder. “We've identified the men from yesterday's meeting. They frequented our casino for the past weeks, just only one stood out more…him.”
• I opened the folder, staring at the photograph of a man. He was the same man my men had brought his body with the De Luca pin on his suit jacket.
• I flipped the pages, scanning the word. “Enzo flaming.”
• “Turns out the pin was forged. It wasn't the real De Luca signature. They might have wanted to create a war between you and De Luca. Enzo was working for Carlo Cotti.”
• I closed the file, my eyes darkening with anger. “I should have known.”
• The name ‘Carlo Cotti’ brought back memories to me. That was the man that slaughtered my parents in cold blood and left me to die in the cold. I had survived as an orphan and I intended to give him a response.
• I had spent years climbing the Mafia ranks, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. And now Carlo was going to pay.
• “Gather the men, I want to send a message to the Cottis,” I ordered.
• “Yes, boss,” Matteo answered.
• We drove silently in the early morning arriving at the Cotti’s estate. I had an insider disarm their alarm and take out the security.
• It was easy moving in with the security out. I got out of the car walking into the compound with my men. “Finish them off,” I ordered and my men shot at the unconscious men.
• I strolled into the compound. My men took out each of Cotti's bodyguards as they came out. Smirking proudly, I walked into the large living room and there he was sitting with his son.
• His bodyguards immediately brought out their guns and my men rushed in taking them out one by one.
• “Hello, Carlo,” I greeted, before sitting on the couch.
• “What do you want?” Carlo asked.
• “My pound of flesh,” I answered, taking out my gun.
• Marco quickly ran towards his father, shielding him and pointing a gun at me.
• “Leave my father alone!” He warned, but I didn't listen. No one tells me what to do.
• “Move,” I commanded. “Your father has to answer for his misdeeds.”
• Marco refused to budge and cocked his gun. Matteo shot him in the stomach before Marco could shoot.
• “No, Marco!” Carlo yelled and pulled his gun from his waist, but I was faster, shooting him twice in the heart and stomach, sending him falling backwards to the floor.
• Marco yelled, screaming for his father. I pulled the trigger hitting his stomach as he fell unconscious to the floor.
• Staring at the bloodied room, I stepped out with my men following behind.
• Back at the penthouse, I poured myself a glass of whiskey and took a sip. Matteo walked in, stopping at the table.
• I turned around, taking a large sip of my whiskey.
• “Did you find her?” I asked, sitting on the chair.
• “Yes, sir,” Matteo answered, giving me a folder.
• Opening the folder, I glanced at her picture. She was definitely a beauty. I flipped through the pages and I stared in horror at another picture of Alessia hugging Carlo and Marco smiling in front of the Cotti's mansion.
• I flipped to another page and met another shock. This can't be possible.
• I raised my gaze to Matteo expecting an explanation. “She's Alessia Cotti sir. The daughter of Don Cotti.”
• “That means…” I said, looking back at the folder.
• Oh lord, I had just killed her family.