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chapter 39

HERMANN RODRIGUEZ POV.

The shooting gallery was a tense backdrop for my strained conversation with Norman. A lot of shit had gone down between us, leaving a chasm of mistrust that hung heavy in the air.
I couldn't shake the tension, the simmering anger that flared every time I saw him. He was, after all, the reason Ivy was so difficult to reach.

"Miguel mentioned Nonna visited while I was... absent," Norman said, his voice a careful attempt to bridge the gulf between us.

"Absent? I kicked you out," I corrected, my voice sharp.

He remained silent for a moment, then approached, his posture humble. "I crossed a line, cousin. I'm ready to put things right."

"You're putting back the pieces, but it can't be the same," I countered, my voice cold.

"Hermann-" he began, but I cut him off.

"You associated with the enemy?" I exploded, the words a raw expression of my betrayal. It wasn't just that he'd crossed a line-he did that often enough. This time, he'd betrayed me, and a family that betrays isn't a family; they deserve a bullet to the head.

"You lied to me," I accused, my voice tight with anger. "You made me look like a fool."

He knelt, his head bowed. "I wronged you. I betrayed you. I deserve a bullet, but please... don't hold a grudge."

I lit a cigarette, the familiar ritual a small comfort in the face of familial betrayal. At the end of the day, he was still family, and he'd made an effort to mend the damage.

"Blood is blood," I said, patting his shoulder. "We stick together."

He looked up, stunned, almost disbelieving. "Signore-" he stammered, his voice choked with emotion. I turned and walked away, leaving him to grapple with my unexpected forgiveness.

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MIGUEL POV.

Carlos and I were a picture of anxious anticipation. We kept stealing glances at each other, unspoken questions hanging between us.

"He's not back," Carlos said, jumping up from his chair. "I knew something bad had happened."

"We can't jump to conclusions," I said, though my own hope was dwindling. Hermann had never been this consumed by anger, this intensely focused.

"Maybe we should have consulted Genevieve," Carlos muttered, regret lacing his voice.

Then, a cold voice cut through the tension. "About what?"

We froze, slowly turning to face Hermann. His gaze was intense, his eyes burning with a dangerous light.

"Um... about..." Carlos stammered, his attempt at a casual response pathetically weak.

"About Carlos's crush," I interjected, saving us from Hermann's wrath. Carlos was a terrible liar; Hermann didn't waste time on bullshit.

Hermann sized Carlos up and down, then turned and walked away. We held our breath until he was gone.

"What was that?" Carlos asked, still shaken.

"An excuse," I said, letting out a sigh of relief. "You should be grateful. I saved our asses." I strutted out, feeling a surge of self-importance.

Outside, Hermann leaned against his car, a cigarette smoldering between his fingers. I'd known him for over a decade, and I'd never seen him this attached to a woman. Whether it was good or bad, Ivy was undeniably important to him. He was calmer, more at peace, than I'd ever seen him before Ivy arrived. He'd only ever shown that level of calm with Genevieve. I hoped Ivy realized the power she held over him, the profound impact she had on his life. I hoped she'd come back.

"I miss Ivy," Carlos said, his voice soft.

"Yeah," I admitted, a frown etching itself onto my face.

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RICHARD CASTRO POV.

I left Maira exhausted, but happy-perhaps the happiest she'd been since her mother's death. But the memory of Maris's voice still haunted me, and something about Maira today had stirred those old wounds. I hadn't slept properly since Maris's death. How could I?

My focus remained on finding Ivy.
I hadn't had much time to observe her, but it was clear she meant more to Hermann than just pleasure. I'd known him for years, and I'd never seen him this attached to anyone. His life revolved around the Mafia and family-or so I thought. He'd never been this vulnerable, this exposed, to anyone before Ivy. I'd caught a glimpse of her at the funeral, and even then, I sensed the profound change she'd brought about in him.

That evening, I poured myself a drink, gazing out at the city lights. I was always ready for a fight, but this... this was different. Losing Maris had thrown me off balance. She hadn't deserved it, and neither had I. I raised my glass, the liquor burning a path down my throat.

Then, the alarm blared. I slammed the glass down, adrenaline surging through me. This was it.

Headline: THE PRESIDENT OF GRANT'S COMPANIES ANNOUNCES A SURPRISING WEDDING FOR NEXT WEEK .

I sent the headline to Hermann.
His reply was immediate:

Hermann: Too soon.

You: That's what I thought.

Hermann: Why is he making it public?

You: It's a trap.

Hermann: ...He's calling me...

You: What should we do?

Hermann: Stay ready. Prepare the men. Tomorrow, I'm not leaving without HER.

You: But it's a trap, Hermann.

Hermann: Whatever the fuck he's planning, I accept the challenge.

I frowned. Something felt wrong, deeply wrong. Hermann was blinded by his feelings for Ivy; he couldn't see the trap closing around him. I had to try and change his mind.
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IVY SILVER POV.

I'd requested a meeting with Wilmert.
After an hour, he appeared, his entrance quiet and deliberate.

"Are you excited about next week?" he asked, approaching me.

"Next week? Let's talk, please," I pleaded.

"You're still denying me?" he asked, frustration edging his voice. "It's not that-"

"Then what is it?!" he interrupted, his voice rising. "Ivy, he's only going to hurt you.
His words were laced with pity, a desperate plea.

"You don't know that," I said flatly.

He turned to the window, his back to me. "Maybe I don't," he said, his voice low. "But I know he's the one who killed your mother."

The world froze. Ice seemed to seep into my veins. "What?" I paused, the asked again. "What are you saying?" I whispered, my body trembling.

"I didn't want to hurt you like this," he explained, his voice softer now. "I didn't want to tell you."

I was breaking, the pieces of my world shattering around me.
"Why... why are you telling me this now?" I sobbed.

"I'm helping you make a decision," he said, turning back to me."Marry me, and no one will ever lay a hand on you." He offered.

My heart was a fragile thing, repeatedly stabbed by the truth. The tears flowed freely, the coldness spreading through me.
My universe had frozen, then shattered.

"I have the power to make him pay," he continued. "I have a plan."

"You do?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

"Yes, baby," he said, his voice dangerously seductive. "But just marry me. I announced our wedding, hoping he'd show up. Then, together, we'll torture him to death, just like he did to your mother."His words were cruel, yet tempting.

"Yes," I said, my voice devoid of emotion. "I'll marry you."

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NB: ignore any grammatical mistakes.