Rooted in Sin

Rooted in Sin A Dark Mafia Romance Chicago Sin Book 2 Alta Hensley Renee Rose Copyright © June 2023 Rooted in Sin by Alta Hensley, Renee Rose and Renee Rose Romance All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the original purchaser of this book ONLY. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without prior written permission from the authors. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors' rights. Purchase only authorized editions. Published in the United States of America Wilrose Dream Ventures LLC and Alta Hensley Cover by: Pop Kitty Designs This book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. This book contains descriptions of many BDSM and sexual practices, but this is a work of fiction and, as such, should not be used in any way as a guide. The author and publisher will not be responsible for any loss, harm, injury, or death resulting from use of the information contained within. In other words, don’t try this at home, folks! Created with Vellum Contents Want FREE Renee Rose books? Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Epilogue Also by Alta Hensley Other Titles by Renee Rose About Alta Hensley About Renee Rose Want FREE Renee Rose books? Go to http://subscribepage.com/alphastemp to sign up for Renee Rose’s newsletter and receive a free copy of Alpha’s Temptation, Theirs to Protect, Owned by the Marine and more. In addition to the free stories, you will also get bonus epilogues, special pricing, exclusive previews and news of new releases. Chapter One Hannah A car screeches into the alleyway behind Garden of Eden, my flower shop. Armando’s cousin, Marco, who was stationed in the alleyway to protect me, whirls, hand reaching for the gun strapped to his side. I instinctively flinch, my heart stopping. A guy leans out of the open window, gun raised and aimed directly at us. Time seems to slow as Marco's eyes widen with realization. “Get down!” He lunges toward me, throwing me to the cold concrete ground behind the garbage dumpster. Marco’s body shields mine as the deafening sound of gunfire fills the alleyway. He lifts his gun to return fire, but before he can, he’s hit. Pain flares in his eyes. His body jerks. I scream. Blood splatters everywhere, and some of it pools on my legs, hot and sticky. “Marco!” My voice is barely audible over the cacophony of gunfire hitting the metal dumpster. My hands tremble as I reach out to touch him, the reality of the situation sinking in. This is no random act of violence—we were targeted. “Stay down,” he grits through clenched teeth, his body trembling from shock or adrenaline. Even as his blood pools between us, he never takes his eyes off me, as if determined to protect me at all costs. Oh God. I’ve already seen one man die in the last week. Already been exposed to the violence of Armando’s life. But that death felt surreal. Like watching a movie. Marco is a man I know. Armando’s cousin. If he dies– No, I can’t even think it. He’s still breathing. He seems alert. Voices shout from the car, "That's not him" and "Go! Go! Go! Go!” It speeds away, leaving a cloud of dust and the sound of squealing tires as the only evidence of the drive-by. That’s not him. They were trying to kill Armando, and they came to my shop. To the alleyway behind it. Does that mean they’ve connected me to him? Is he no longer safe in my apartment? That thought chokes me. Marco's blood keeps draining, staining my clothes and skin. He groans and rolls partway off me, trying to push himself up. “Take it easy. I’ll call for help.” I search for my phone and see it cast to the side. Armando. I was speaking to Armando before this all happened. “Armando!” I cry out, trying to pull my legs out from under Marco’s. “Armando, Marco’s hit!” Maybe he can still hear what's happening and now knows we are both alive but in danger. Almost as if summoned by my voice, Armando appears at the mouth of the alleyway, his eyes wide with panic. He takes in the scene before him—Marco injured and me covered in blood and shaking uncontrollably. "Hannah!" He runs to us, but his gaze is only on me. “I'm okay, but Marco's hit." “Madonna mia, what the fuck happened?” He crouches beside us, his hands hovering over Marco, like he’s unsure where to touch or how to help. Fear is etched on his pale face, a vulnerability I've never seen from him before. “Your buddies,” Marco groans, shifting to sit up and gritting his teeth against the pain. “They came out of nowhere.” “Did you get a chance to see who they were?” Armando demands. I can see the gears turning in his head, already planning retaliation. “I-I don't know,” I stammer, still in shock. “I didn't see their faces.” “Fuck.” Armando's gaze shifts between Marco and me, his concern palpable. “We need to get you both somewhere safe. Can you walk?” “Of course I can walk,” Marco scoffs, trying to climb to his feet. His face contorts with pain, and he collapses back onto the ground. Armando's jaw clenches, and he picks up Marco’s arm to wrap