Page 73 of Mafia Obsession

“How soon until Sinclair figures out his address?” I ask.

“Quinlan’s phone security is iron,” she says. “He’s been carrying out hits for his cousin for nearly two years. The guy knows how to blend in and lay low.”

If this wasn’tanysix-feet-four-inch killer with an Irish brogue and a man-bun, I’d agree.

“Do we warn him?” Daria asks.

“No. Not until it’s eminent.” I take a breath. “If that’s all, I have to call Atlas with this development.”

“I await your further instructions,” she says, and the line goes dead.

I video-call Atlas next and give him an update on Sinclair. “We need to put Quinlan Empire on notice.”

“I told you we should have hired a contract killer,” Atlas says, challenging me.

“David Sinclairisa contract killer. I couldn’t risk contacting someone who might be an ally, who would have given him a heads-up and next, Lourdes is gone.”

I wonder if David figures out Rhys Quinlan is a mob assassin and not some random punk that I dragged in off the street to kill him, would he back down?

I shake my head. Men like Sinclair don’t retreat. That’s the problemwith insecure men.

“I need to warn you, killing David might lead us into a war with the Bratva.” I brace for the argument I know my brother will make.

“Excuse me?” He sounds rightfully concerned.

Until now, Atlas thought David was some lone-wolf hitman married to a woman I wanted. It’s time for me to explain everything to him, if I’m putting my family at risk.

“Lourdes’s father worked for Yuri Volkov in Chicago. Then he died in a car accident.” I glance over my shoulder to see if she’s still with my house manager. “Sinclair told me in the club that night that he thinks her father stole money from the Volkovs. Sinclair works for some middleman, but it’s really thefucking Bratvawho wants Lourdes.”

“Jesus, Ares.” He sounds pissed. All we went through with the Irish is coming back to him. “Is this woman worth a war with Kirill?”

No one is taking Lourdes away from me.

“Every new pakhan inaugurates his reign with lockdowns, followed by a bloodbath. We have to hope that Yuri dies soon and Kirill will be distracted and no longer care about getting revenge for what Lourdes’s father may or may not have stolen from them.”

“That’s a hell of a gamble,” Atlas says with an exhale. “I don’t need to remind you that most of our fighters were killed with Alexander.”

A force we never replaced since I made peace with Griffin Quinlan.

“I know it well.”

I look toward the open terrace doors, and Lourdes is done talking to Elani. She’s now lingering on the opposite terrace. Her sundress billows against the soft wind coming in off the sea. Then she disappears back into the house, and I lose track of her.

Alexander would have liked her. But I don’t want to think of past wars. I need to deal with the war going on in my head, my heart. And between my legs.

“What’s so special about this woman, Ares?” my brother asks, pulling me back into the conversation with him.

“This one is different,” I say softly. “This one can destroy me.”

Chapter 27

Lourdes

Afew minutes after I’ve gone into Ares’s study, he bursts into the room at a pace that makes me straighten where I’m standing. I hadn’t heard him end his call or leave the terrace. It’s not his usual confident stride. It’s hurried, and there are a few beads of sweat above his upper lip.

“There you are. I didn’t see you right away.” He presses his forehead to mine, his breath rough. “Do you understand what that does to me?”

The words are soft in contrast to the tension of his hold.