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The fact she’d been with only one man in her life and it hadn’t been me made me insane. But Maria was right, and Chiara wouldn’t exist if I’d crossed the line six years ago. “I promised Maria I wouldn’t kill anyone.”
“No cutting hands off her dates, either?” He smirked, and I knew he remembered the threat I’d made to that son of a bitch last year who’d thought it was okay to put his hands on a woman without consent.
“I wouldn’t have actually cut off his hands.” Well, probably not.
Ryan’s smile dissolved, turning into a solemn look. “Clearly, you’re worried about your past. But I know whatever happened in New York that you haven’t shared with me can’t be dangerous. You’d never have risked coming to Charlotte in the first place if it were. You wouldn’t work at Talia’s or live next door to Maria if being near you threatened them.”
No, my past wasn’t dangerous. I wasn’t one to leave loose ends. Ryan was right, I’d never jeopardize their safety if I thought I was a risk to be around.
“Don’t do what I did and wait too long. Life is short.” He released the bag and began removing his gloves, letting me know he was done. “If you’re worried about starting a relationship with secrets, then tell her the truth. See how she reacts.”
“She doesn’t need to know I have blood on my hands,” I said in a low voice, referring to one of the things Ryan did know about, the fact my brothers and I killed the man who’d murdered Bianca. Where the justice system had failed my sister, we’d vowed not to. “And there’s more to it than that. I just ...”
“Just what?” Ryan tossed his gloves in his gym bag as a text on my Apple Watch popped up.
Maria: I need to see you. Can you come over?
“It’s Maria,” I shared as he pulled his shirt over his head. “She needs me.”
“She does need you. And I hope you come to your senses soon and realize you are good enough for her.” Ryan patted me twice on the shoulder. “Go. I’ll see you later.”
I removed my gloves and grabbed a tee from my bag, covering my sweaty chest. “Tell Talia hey, and thanks for taking the, uh, beating today.” I smirked.
“Just glad you found out about the dating news after we stopped sparring.” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder, telling me to get a move on.
We bumped fists as our goodbye, and once my sneakers were on, I grabbed my phone, slung my bag over my shoulder, and started home.
I sent a group text to my brothers, hoping one of them would calm me down before I faced the little hellion who drove me nuts.
Me: She’s going on a date. How do I stop this? My trigger finger is fucking itchy.
Alessandro: You forced us into retirement, remember?
Alessandro was always there for me no matter what he was doing, or “who” he was doing, and I appreciated that. The same was true for Constantine.
Constantine: We made a deal. We all agreed. Don’t blame him.
Constantine: Ask Maria out. Make Mom happy. Have babies. Live the good life, brother.
Alessandro: Sure, sure. Do what Boss Man says. But if not, I’ll help you dispose of her date’s body. Your choice.
I shook my head at their responses, allowing them to continue in the conversation without me.
Constantine: Don’t listen to him.
I swiped my key fob to enter my apartment complex and went inside. It wasn’t too fancy of a place. No lobby with a security guard, and now that Maria was living next door, I was beginning to wonder if I needed to upgrade our location. Tap into some of the money I told myself I wouldn’t touch to get a more secure place and then somehow not let her know the actual cost.
Alessandro: Watch her with another man the way you had to do with Thomas? Genius idea. Your control has its limits, bro. You’ve waited long enough. You’re bound to snap soon.
I finally joined their exchange because he’d struck a nerve on purpose.
Me: What choice did I have? She was married.
Constantine: And she’s not now. WTF is wrong with you?
Me: You know my problem. ALL of our problems. What we’ve done ...
Constantine: Was exactly what needed to be done. And you know that.
