After I Fall

Ch 16: Lex

I push open the door to see Rafael cursing in Italian as he takes in his newest restaurant. It isn't exactly how I thought it would be. Filled with bullet holes, yes, but also ransack. Tablecloths are torn, graffiti is sprayed on the walls, and broken chairs and tables. These fuckers had a lot of time on their hands. Luc and Rico walk through the swinging doors from the kitchen, causing Rafael to turn around, noticing me.

"Who the fuck did you piss off?" Rafael's nostrils flare.

"Who do I not piss off." The broken glass crunches under my shoes as I walk further into the restaurant, inspecting the damage. A lot of fucking damage. This is going to set Rafael back at least a few million.

"This seems personal, fratellone. First, the ambush with you and Caterina...now this. My restaurants never got hit up like this before. You come back from Singapore—no America, and this starts to happen."

I don't want to say he is right, but he is. I came back home for a bit after leaving Singapore. Everything was quiet. I return from America with my bride-to-be, and all hell breaks loose.

"Enzo was behind the ambush."

"The fucker Matteo let live?" Rafael lets out a deep breath. "We told him no good would come from him staying alive. I'll tell my men to look into Enzo's whereabouts. I want to know where that fucking asshole has been since his brother died five years ago." Rafael takes out his phone.

"Boss," Rico gestures to the kitchen. "A word." he glances at Rafael, whose back is turned as he gives orders in Italian.

"Dante, watch him," I say, following Rico and Luc into the kitchen.

Hell, the kitchen is worse than the dining room area. Food and bullet holes everywhere. Luc taps on the stainless steel. I move closer, and my jaw tenses. A circle with a cursive M is carved into the stainless steel countertop.

"Look familiar?" Luc asks.

"How much do we have on Caterina?" I ask.

I'm staring down at the Marchetti's logo.

"Nothing new than what we first reported to you. Do you think she has an ulterior motive?"

I don't answer to anyone, and I won't start now. I need answers, not more fucking questions. "Dig deeper on her, her brother, her Father, and her dead mother. I want to know everything." I move to the door and stop. "Get rid of it. I don't want Rafael to see it. I will take care of Caterina."

I will find out what my dear wife-to-be is hiding from me.

"Rafael, I need to get back to the mansion. When you hear anything, text me."

"Leaving so soon, come on, let's grab a drink. I need it after seeing my baby like this." He walks towards me, throwing his arm over my shoulder.

"I'll send Cesar your way," I tell him as we walk out of the restaurant.

Rafael chuckles. "This is what it is about. You don't want Cesar around Caterina."

"I don't want any of you around her," I say truthfully. Until I get to the bottom of what the fuck is going on, Caterina will be attached to my hip. Whether she likes it or not. "Caterina is still the enemy. Cesar doesn't know any better, and to keep him from finding out, I need him away from her. The two have become texting buddies."

Rafael chuckles. "Maybe we should tell Cesar what we have planned. He is closer to Caterina than you are. I'm sure he can have her open up. Maybe find out what Erick's weaknesses are."

"We all swore to keep Cesar from learning too much about this lifestyle. We owe it to Freya, she always wanted Cesar—"

"I know. Freya wanted what was best for all of us." Rafael drops his arm as we stop in front of my G-Wagon. "I'll be at the hotel waiting for him."