His Promise: The Mafia’s Babies

Chapter 382

Vincenzo

1 felt the cold breeze on my skin as Aria and I stepped into the warehouse, surrounded by several men.

At the center stood Christian, and behind him was a small group of his people, including Beau.

Christian’s face twisted with anger as he yelled at AJ and CJ, who were kneeling on the ground. No one interfered. Ever since my father and Christian’s crazy uncle had disappeared, things had returned to the way they were.

In the past, those two had been the biggest threats to the Lambertis.

Now, everyone felt threatened by the Lambertis again, and no one dared to disrespect them-rightfully so. The weight of the situation pressed down on me, making it hard to focus. I had come here hoping to find a peaceful solution with my long-time friend, but seeing the state he was in and the tension in the room made me doubt that possibility.

Aria broke the silence, adding fuel to the fire. I hadn’t expected anything less from her.

“Are you two insane? Kneeling for this guy?” she asked, her voice dripping with dismay.

Ishifted uncomfortably, knowing that her big mouth might force me to choose between my loyalty to my wife or to Christian, who was like my brother.

“Get up, both of you!”

AJ and CJ shared a look and carefully stood up from the floor, while Christian turned around to glare at both of us. His eyes were sharp, almost demanding that I do something about Aria’s temper-but I didn’t.

He chuckled, rolling his eyes to look away from me. “Little girl, I think it’s best if you stay out of it.” In that one sentence, it became clear what he really thought of Aria.

I lowered my

coward. I was so intent on not being like Fabio that I had tried my hardest to be everything he hadn’t

men, and even Aria, was not something I should have to accept. The old Vince

name, and my eyes shot open, while his searched for understanding. “I know it looks bad, but I have every reason to believe one of these men

my shoulder, pressuring me to answer. “Vince, tell them we don’t steal.”

didn’t believe AJ or CJ would steal the necklace, and despite our relationship, I wouldn’t betray my wife either. “They said they didn’t do it, Christian,” I replied, my

one horrible occasion from years ago that I didn’t like talking or thinking about, Christian and I had always had each other’s back. He didn’t bother me, I didn’t bother him, nothing got in between our friendship, and it had been

the two thieves who helped you with the delivery last

my stomach aching with unease. Yes, they were no saints–but those two wouldn’t steal something if I allowed them to.

right? Christian’s voice was filled with desperation. “Vince, I just want my daughter’s necklace back,

than he trusted me. He had the privilege of being Serena’s brother. If anything, he had the power to make Christian walk away, as he could encourage him to let us discuss it in

guy who used to be so tough that others feared to approach him, known

it made me open my eyes to certain things.

my loyalty had to lie with

there, but we didn’t steal anything.” AJ spoke up for himself as I was taking too

insane!” CJ nodded abruptly. “We unloaded the boxes, signed them off—”

your office. The two went back and

you know it was taken from my office?” Christian questioned, but

of here.” Her words were like a slap in the face to someone like Christian, and the tension

“Tell him, boss!”

as Christian turned back to me, his expression filled with hurt and anger. “Are you not going to

Beau finally intervened, but it was already too late.

“Vince?” He shrugged in disbelief.

me to do?” I

find some silly necklace, because Christian Lamberti told you to do so?” Her sarcasm was met with laughter