Dangerous Secrets: My Mafia Stepbrother

It was three days before Emanuele found Phillip.

“Boss, we found Phillip on the side of the road, he’s still alive,” James informed Emanuele of the situation.

He relayed the most crucial information, knowing it was what Emanuele wanted to hear most; everything else was inconsequential. Alive, the weight pressing on Emanuele’s heart instantly dissipated.

“However, although Phillip is alive, he is currently in a coma. I’ve already brought him to our hospital,” James continued.

When Emanuele acquired the hospital, it was not only to facilitate Isabella’s work, but also with the intention that if any of their gang members were injured or in peril, they could receive treatment directly at this hospital. They had designated doctors to avoid the risk of being reported to the authorities due to their injuries.

And now, Phillip was in this hospital.

Emanuele received the news in the middle of the night, just as he had settled into bed. He had to get up. Sensing Emanuele’s movement, Isabella, with bleary eyes, looked at him. “Emanuele, what’s wrong?”

She had never seen Emanuele leave for work immediately upon returning to rest.

“We found Phillip. I need to go to the hospital to see him,” Emanuele explained.

Isabella, now slightly more awake, still held deep affection for Phillip. In her eyes, this assistant who was often by Emanuele’s side was as important as a friend. Sometimes, she would trouble Phillip to help her with various tasks. He was gentle, humorous, and very kind; Isabella liked him. When she first learned of his disappearance from Emanuele’s side, she was deeply saddened; it seemed that something terrible had happened.

“Is he okay?”

“He’s alive, in the hospital,” Emanuele said as he changed his clothes. “I’m going to see him, see how he’s doing. Isabella, you should get some rest.”

Isabella knew she couldn’t be of much help. Although she also wanted to know Phillip’s current condition, seeing Emanuele’s anxiety, she decided to let him confirm first.

“Alright, Emanuele, be careful on the way.”

Emanuele nodded and left the room wearing his coat.

The weather grew colder as he left. It was the middle of the night, and the outside temperature was much lower than during the day. Isabella could hear the howling wind outside the window. Watching Emanuele leave the room, Isabella was filled with anxiety and worry. Their enemies always lurked in the shadows, plotting one ambush after another. They were constantly on guard, and Isabella was deeply concerned.

She had initially thought that with Frederick’s elimination, they wouldn’t have to worry as much, but it seemed that Frederick’s nephew was even more fearsome. Like a cunning rat, he hid in the sewers, where no one could find him. Even Frederick himself had been reluctant to appear in Chicago, yet his nephew dared to. He could emerge at any time, slowly eroding Emanuele’s power, striking at those closest to him, and ultimately, potentially destroying Emanuele’s will entirely.

In the current stage, Isabella was Emanuele’s weakness, and within her, a new life was growing. She placed her hand on her stomach; though it was a bit plump, at present, it still appeared flat as she lay in bed. However, as time passed, her belly would surely grow. She hoped Emanuele could overcome this, find the enemy quickly, or else, they would target her. She had to work harder to keep their secret, not allowing anyone to discover it. Once others found out about the child in her womb, they would undoubtedly launch continuous attacks against her. Yet, Isabella was also distressed; she would have to go to the hospital for a check-up at a certain point. Delaying it was not a solution.

After Emanuele left, he immediately drove to the hospital.

The streets were deserted in the middle of the night. As he drove, Emanuele couldn’t help but think about how it used to be Phillip who drove for him. Since Robert’s passing, Phillip had been both his assistant and his driver. Now, Emanuele had to drive alone.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Emanuele immediately made his way to the high-level VIP ward.

“How is he?” Emanuele asked James, who was standing at the door.

James glanced at Emanuele and shook his head. “Boss, you should go in and see for yourself.”

Emanuele entered the room and saw Phillip lying in the hospital bed. At first glance, Emanuele thought he was mistaken. He couldn’t imagine that the man before him was Phillip. His head had been shaved, his face bore deep scars, and there was even a scar across his eye. His handswere bandaged, and he was currently wearing an oxygen mask, desperately inhaling oxygen. The heart monitor beside him displayed a faint heartbeat.

“The doctor examined Phillip. He’s covered in injuries, with a serious head trauma. We performed emergency brain surgery as soon as he arrived at the hospital. His eye was also injured, fortunately not too deep, but he might still lose it. Several of his teeth and fingernails have been pulled out,” James explained, his voice choking as he spoke.Text © 2024 NôvelDrama.Org.

James, a formidable and ruthless killer, could carry out any task assigned by Emanuele with ease. He viewed those lives as inconsequential. Yet, when it came to his own brother, he couldn’t bear it. Having stood by Emanuele’s side through thick and thin for so many years, seeing Phillip lying in that hospital bed, tortured and unrecognizable, James felt an overwhelming sense of pain. Even this towering and sturdy man was deeply saddened.

Emanuele was no better off. Seeing Phillip in this condition, he felt a stabbing sensation in his eyes, and a raging fury seemed to engulf his entire being, his fists clenched tightly, the bones in his hand creaking.

Damn it, who the hell did this to Phillip? Emanuele had never before felt such a strong urge to kill.

“When will he wake up?”

“The doctor is uncertain. It could be as soon as three days, or it might be much longer… and there’s no guarantee he will wake up at all,” James replied, his voice filled with sorrow. The thought of this made him feel despondent, and he lowered his head to hide his inner grief.

Emanuele’s face turned as cold as ice. “It was William, wasn’t it? No one else would have the audacity.”

Only the Sicilians would be so ambitious and brutal, as they were not afraid of the excruciating price to be paid.

Emanuele stepped outside the hospital to smoke, a habit he resorted to when feeling restless. One cigarette after another, soon the ground was littered with butts, yet he still felt intensely agitated.

First, it was Phillip; who would be next? Isabella? Emanuele’s breathing paused for a moment as he thought about this. The image of that delicate woman, as fragile as a rabbit, appeared in his mind. Anyone could harm her. No, he couldn’t bear to imagine how he would react if she were harmed.