Reborn I Refused The Mafia Husband Who Buried Me Alive Chapter 08
I Become Morelli’s Secret Weapon
The underground casino looks nothing like a backroom gambling den.
The entrance is hidden beneath a private members’ club.
Downstairs, millions change hands beneath crystal lights while politicians, executives, Mafia captains, and foreign crews pretend not to recognize one another.
Vittorio is waiting in a private room.
“You said you had more.”
“I do.”
Two men enter the casino twenty minutes later.
I recognize their language immediately.
In my first life, Adrian’s territory bordered the organization they worked for.
I spent years hearing their language in markets, negotiations, and intercepted calls.
I listen.
Then I tell Vittorio quietly,
“They’re not here to gamble.”
His eyes stay on the table.
“What did they say?”
“They’re meeting someone tonight. They’re scouting routes into Morelli territory.”
“Can you prove it?”
“Follow them.”
Vittorio does.
Hours later, his men confirm everything.
The two men lead them directly to a meeting with members of a foreign syndicate preparing to move weapons and men through Morelli-controlled territory.
Back at the estate, I give Vittorio the rest.
Information I remember from a war that hasn’t happened yet.
Vittorio studies the map.
“How much of this are you sure about?”
“All of it.”
“Things change.”
“I know.”
I point to ten names on a list.
“Train these men in the language. Send them in before the war starts. If you wait until the fighting begins, it’ll be too late.”
Vittorio looks at me for a long moment.
Then he hands the list to one of his captains.
“Do it.”
When I finally leave the casino, it’s almost morning.
Adrian is outside.
The second he sees me, his expression changes.
My dress is wrinkled.
My hair is loose.
I’ve spent the entire night working with Vittorio and his men.
Adrian looks past me toward the private entrance.
“You were with Morelli all night?”
“Move.”
“What exactly are you doing for him?”
“None of your business.”
His eyes darken.
“Are you sleeping with him?”
“Go back to your wife, Adrian.”
“Elena—”
“Move.”
He reaches for my wrist.
I step back before he can touch me.
“If you put your hands on me, Vittorio’s men will put you on the ground.”
“You think Morelli is protecting you for free?”
“No.”
That shuts him up.
“I know exactly what this costs me.”
I walk away.
When I return to the estate, Lena tells me I have visitors.
Two of them.
Dante Russo is waiting in the sitting room.
Julian Romano is by the window.
Dante sees me first.
“You look terrible.”
“Good morning to you too.”
He laughs.
Then his expression turns serious.
“You wrote to me because you needed a way out of the DeLuca marriage.”
“I did.”
“And I came.”
Before I can answer, Julian turns around.
“So did I.”
Dante looks at him.
“Nobody asked you.”
“Elena did.”
Julian reaches into his jacket and places a small silver medallion on the table.
I recognize the Romano crest.
I don’t recognize the medallion.
“You really don’t remember?”
“No.”
“When we were kids, you took this from me.”
Dante scoffs.
“That’s your argument?”
Julian ignores him.
“Our families used to joke that whoever kept it would marry into the Romanos.”
I stare at him.
“I was a child.”
“You still kept it.”
“I probably thought it was pretty.”
Dante leans back.
“Then we’re done here. She clearly doesn’t want you.”
“I don’t want you either.”
He stops smiling.
I look at both men.
“I asked for help getting out of a marriage.”
“That wasn’t an invitation to replace Adrian.”
Neither man answers.
Good.
Because after spending one lifetime belonging to someone else, marriage is the last thing I want.