Chapter 60: No Mercy

Chapter 60: No Mercy
Joella

I watched silently as Haden strapped his holster around his waist. His motions were fluid, practiced. Knife harness over his chest, white button-up thrown over it like armor, disguising a storm.

He hadn’t said more than two words since that last phone call.

Didn’t tell me what it was.

But I knew. I always knew.

Something was wrong.

After Nonna arrived last night, she, Haden, and Brad locked themselves in his office for hours. When they came out, they wore their silence like masks. But Haden carried a storm. The air around him pulsed with it. His body was calm, but I could feel the dark weight rolling off of him in waves.

When I approached, he pulled me close and whispered that he was fine. Then he kissed me like the world hadn’t just tilted.

But he wasn’t fine.

And I wasn’t stupid.

He turned to me now, his gaze dropping slightly. Whatever he saw on my face, it made something in him falter.

“Don’t look so worried, Tesoro,” he said.

I sighed. “How am I supposed to look?” My voice was soft, but it cracked.

“You’re suited up like you’re going to war,” I said, gesturing at the weapons hidden beneath that crisp shirt.

His tone didn’t waver. “Everything will be fine. Nothing you need to worry your pretty little head about.”

He leaned down and kissed my forehead.

“Haden-”

“Ella, baby, please,” he said, hand brushing gently across my belly. “Stop stressing. It’s not good for you. Or our boys.”

A smirk tugged at my lips as I covered his hand with mine. “And how do you know they’re boys?”

He grinned. “Just a feeling.”

I rolled my eyes playfully. “Whatever you say.”

His arms wrapped around me, hands sliding low, giving my backside a familiar squeeze.

“I’ll be back before you know it.”

But I knew, whatever was coming, it wasn’t simple.

And he wasn’t coming back the same.

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Haden

“I can’t believe this shit,” Luca muttered, pacing beside me. His fingers raked through his hair, frustration written all over his face.

Nonna had combed through every piece of the operation. Every whisper, every face. Riccardo wasn’t just a rat, he was the head of the snake. And worse, he wasn’t alone.

Leo stood next to Nonna, his face carved in stone as he stared at the trembling body of Julia.

Dante’ stood beside me. The pain in his eyes was clear. This wasn’t just betrayal. This was family turning on family.

Enzo lingered in the corner, arms crossed, rage simmering beneath the surface.

My stomach twisted when I looked at the rest of the men, my grandfather’s men. I grew up around them. Most of them were like uncles to me. They taught me to shoot. Taught me honor.

And now they stood before me with their heads low, silent and shameful.

Nonna’s voice broke the silence.

“Lorenzo, come here.”

Enzo stepped forward without hesitation. Broad. Loyal. Dangerous when called.

“You’ve never failed us. You protect Haden like he’s your own. So tell me, how should they die?”

A sob echoed through the room. Julia.

“Daddy!” she cried, looking to Leo with tear-stained cheeks.

Leo’s jaw clenched. He didn’t look at her.

“Gianna, this is my daughter,” Leo said, voice thick with emotion.

“She conspired to kill your future Donna,” she replied, unmoved.

“They tricked me! I didn’t know that was the plan!” Julia cried, her eyes locking on mine. “Maxim said he didn’t want to kill her!”

I stared back, cold and unmoved. She was caught red-handed. She knew. She was willing to serve Ella to that bastard like a feast, let him touch her. Kill our children.

There was no forgiveness in me.

Riccardo stepped forward, desperation in his voice. “Gianna, please try to understand-”

“There’s nothing to understand!” Nonna snapped.

“Think about the consequences,” he pleaded.

My brow lifted.

“Consequences?” I asked.

Riccardo turned toward me. “Haden, you’re smart. You know what I mean. Joella’s a beautiful woman, but you’re about to be Don. Your bloodline needs to be...pure.”

My jaw flexed.

So that was it. Not betrayal of trust. Not power. Skin color.

He kept talking, not knowing I was already writing his death in my mind.

“Julia would’ve been perfect. You need a proper Italian woman. One who’ll give you strong, Italian heirs.”

I stepped forward, voice sharp and clear.

“I may have grown up in the States, but I know exactly how certain Italians view Sicilians. Like we’re the bottom of the barrel. But guess what, I don’t care.”

I took another step closer, voice steady.

“I don’t need approval. Not from Rome. Not from Milan. I’m the Don of the Sicilian mafia. That means no one says a damn thing to me unless they want a bullet for breakfast.”

Silence.

“You said I need purity? You think you’re pure?” I asked. “Sicily was ruled by the Moors for over two hundred years. Half of us have the same blood running through our veins as my Ella.”

Riccardo’s mouth clamped shut.

The room was still. Tense.

“I don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks,” I said, low and lethal. “My Ella. My kids. Anyone who disrespects them dies.”

Julia’s crying started again, louder this time.

“Shut the fuck up,” I snapped.

“Haden!” Leo barked.

I turned to him sharply.

“You want to join her?”

His mouth opened, then closed. His eyes dropped to the floor.

“What do I have to do?” he whispered. “Please. She’s my only daughter.”

“She can’t be trusted,” Nonna said.

“I can! I swear! I’ll do anything,” Julia begged.

Then die.

Nonna’s gaze turned to me, hesitation flickering in her eyes. She loved Leo. Which meant she loved Julia, or used to.

I shook my head. “No.”

“Haden, you’re being cruel.” Leo snipped.

“You’re talking to someone who killed his own cousins for touching my Ella. Julia’s no relation to me.”

Enzo’s voice cut in, crisp and tired. “Boss, what do you want me to do?”

“Round up the others. Take every traitor to the warehouse.”

He nodded. “Including her?” His gaze flicked to Julia.

“Yes. I want Maxim’s location. Make them talk.”

“Haden-”

Leo’s words cut short when I shot him in the hand. A warning.

Blood gushed instantly. He dropped to his knees with a cry of pain. Julia screamed, scrambling toward him.

I holstered my gun without a word, adjusted my suit jacket.

“I told you. You can join her.”

I turned my back to the room and walked out.

If they were shocked, they were quiet about it.

Good.

I wasn’t in the mood for tears.

Only vengeance.