Quiet Temptation

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Martina

I've been officially dating Rocco a month now. We're hanging out in his luxurious bedroom, watching a horror movie in preparation for Halloween. Someone knocks on the door and needs to talk to him.

"I'll be right back," he tells me, leaning over the bed to kiss me.

Rocco leaves the room, clicking the door shut behind him.

His cell sits taunting me on the nightstand.

I rub my lips together. Finally, I have an opportunity to look through it. My fingers burn with anticipation as I sit up and reach for it.

I've watched him unlock it dozens of times now, so I know his code.

I unlock the phone easily and first search his contacts for 'Vitali.'

Nothing comes up, so I open his text messages.

When I enter the term 'Vitali' in his search bar, several results pop up.

My heart is racing as I quickly scan them.

I don't take the time to try to decipher any meaning behind it before I screenshot the images of the conversation and send them to myself. I quickly delete both the images and the image messages from his phone before locking his phone and placing it carefully back where I found it.

I crawl back under the covers and open my phone.

I scan the messages first, before sending anything to Parker.

Rocco: If I can find out more on Vitali, I can get her papa to like me.

Franco: I'll try to get you something. I don't associate with that fucking traitor.

Rocco: Do we know where he might be?

Franco: He reached out months ago, looking for allies. I told him to fuck off.

Rocco: Allies for what?

Franco: Who knows? He's a Brutus. Probably wants to take out all the Donnellys to get them out of the way. With Matteo's alliance with the Irish and Russians, it's created a much bigger mess for Andres.

Rocco: If we can find anything out I can tell Matteo before I ask for her hand

Franco: I'll do my best. Keep up the good work, son.

I frown in confusion.

This is interesting, to say the least.

First and foremost, I am relieved that Rocco and his father are not traitors, that they don't associate with Andres Vitali.

Second, I am intrigued by the information that Andres would have the nerve to approach Franco Rossi for a potential alliance against my papa. Against Ronan. That he wants to take out the Irish to get them out of the way. Maybe he's the reason for all this chaos in Dublin, after all. Parker will want to know that.

And finally, more personally shocking, the fact that Rocco is already trying to impress my papa. To get his approval. So he can ask for my...hand.