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He gasped. “You did?”
Violet stroked his leg. “We did, and we brought some stories to tell you.”
Mom cooked lunch as Violet changed into pj’s. She didn’t ask questions, but she glared at Violet. It bothered me. After we ate, I ushered her out of the house. Mom gave me a black look. I’d probably get a voicemail complaining about my fiancée’s state of dress. I didn’t give a fuck.
After Mom left, we spent the next couple hours lavishing Jack with attention. He orchestrated a high-speed chase across the living room floor, his cars screeching around imaginary corners. “Cops and robbers!” He smashed a police car into another vehicle.
Stretched on the floor, I laughed. “You think that’s a chase, kiddo?” I grabbed a toy car. “This one’s the getaway. Gotta have a backup plan.”
Jack giggled. “Backup car go fast!”
“That’s right. But where’s your lookout? Can’t pull off a job without eyes on the street.”
Perched on the sofa, Violet shook her head.
I picked up a Batman action figure nearby. “All clear, boss. Just a cat on the trash cans.”
Jack howled. “Batman helps robbers?”
I grinned. “In our world, he does. Gotta keep the cops on their toes.”
Violet looked up. “Okay, but let’s make sure Batman saves the day. Can’t have our boy thinking about planning heists.”
“Alright, Batman turns double agent, tips off the superheroes, and they set a trap.” I made Batman fly around the room before landing him next to the pile-up. “Boom! Saved by Batman, who was undercover all along.”
Jack clapped his hands. “Batman saves everyone!”
“Except the robbers. They have consequences just like in real life.”
Violet rolled her eyes, smiling. Her phone chimed. She swiped it open.
I straightened. “What is it?”
She stood, her thumb jabbing the screen. Then she jammed the phone to her ear. “Hey, how are you?”
Her voice trailed as she disappeared into the office, shutting the door. I listened hard to the faint murmur of conversation. Why did she have to leave the room?
Let it go.
I needed to be the guy who didn’t care. I’d done a good job at that my whole life. I’d once helped Santino open an illegal gambling joint down the street from a former capo’s card game without permission. The old boss, Uncle Nico, was furious. Screamed his head off. Forced us to kneel. Even when the barrel touched my forehead, my pulse barely picked up its pace.
But now, I cared.
Too goddamned much. I spent half my time worrying about my son and Violet. Since I almost lost her, I’d done little else. I wasn’t in love, but I appreciated her. I could search for ten lifetimes and never find another girl like Violet. All night, in between getting my fill of her tight body, I obsessed over how I’d keep her. She had my ring, sure, but a piece of gold wrapped around her finger couldn’t stop her from leaving. The entire thing felt like it hung by a thread.
Let’s face it, I was an asshole who didn’t deserve her. Girls like her stuck around until they got what they wanted. Then they left. People took from me. They took, took, and fucking took. Hell, my family used me. All my life, I’d been someone else’s weapon. Dealing somebody else’s justice.
Not anymore. I called the shots.
I approached the office. Then I grabbed the doorknob and flung it open.
TWENTY-EIGHT
VIOLET
“Finally. I’ve been so worried.”
Becky’s heavy Boston accent cut the air as I closed the office door, sliding the phone to my other ear. “Sorry.”
