Page 15 of Promising Her Forever

I don’t know how he does it, but it’s like he can read my mind. I really do want to get all my stuff out, I’m worried that Playboy will come back. I watch Fionn go over to the others, then Ares and Eros come upstairs with us. They clear the apartment before they let me in.

“I don’t think he’ll come back today, but he’s not a very bright fucker. So I’d rather be safe,” Fionn says to me as we wait.

I don’t like having to look over my shoulder because of Playboy. How could I have been so wrong about someone? I mean the guy fucking shot my couch. Why? I hear the guys talking about the Cimaruta MC. I don’t know a lot about MCs, but I have heard of the Cimaruta. But lately, the things I’ve been hearing is that they’re trying to do good. And I know they’re connected to the Mancini mafia. I wonder if Fionn knows that? And holy shit. Is Fiorella part of the mafia?

CHAPTER SIX

Fionn

I want to find Playboy and make sure he never comes near my Riley again. I’m generally not a violent man, but the shit Playboy is pulling around my girl is making me one. I help her get her things together, most of it smells like smoke. Luckily the damage in the apartment can be easily fixed. We’ve all said we’ll take care of it and we’re going to upgrade the security in all the buildings the family owns. We’re going to offer the other businesses the option to upgrade their security systems too.

When Riley’s done packing, we make sure all the windows are secure. If someone wants in, they’ll have to break the windows. Which I wouldn’t put past Playboy to do. But at least Riley won’t be here if he does.

“Do you think Fiorella will think it’s weird if we go in?” Riley asks.

“Nope. You don’t know my sister, she loves talking to people and she’s going to love you too,” Salvatore Mancini says as he walks back into the coffee shop.

I tell Riley and Daphne that he’s Fiorella’s triplet brother. Then we tell him what’s gone on today.

“I thought we were done dealing with the Feral Raptors. Scrapper has actually been a really good president.” Salvatore sighs.

“I don’t think he has anything to do with what’s going on. Papà talked to him and he said he didn’t think he was lying about not knowing. Especially after he helped us with T-Rex,” Celestino answers.

“Your papà told us what happened. That whole situation was nuts, how anyone can do what he did is beyond me. But now having Playboy around I can see that maybe a few of them have some screws loose.” I shake my head.

“No joke. But I do like Scrapper, it’s too bad he can’t come here and join us. Then we can let the Raptors go.” Celestino chuckles.

“So you guys have met Playboy before?” Riley asks.

“We have. But when the crap with T-Rex went down, he was one of the ones that said he would follow Scrapper. But now I’m wondering if he was just saying that so they would let him stay in the club,” Celestino answers.

“Where is T-Rex now?”

We all look at each other. I’m not sure she really wants the answer to that. I also don’t know if she can handle the real truth right now. Riley looks at all of us.

“Is he dead? Because I don’t know the whole story, but from what I have heard? I’d want him dead.” She shrugs.

Everyone’s silent for a minute.

“She’s a keeper.” Ares laughs.

I kiss Riley’s head as we all laugh.

“Well? Is he dead?” She laughs.

“He is,” Zio Giacomo says as he walks back into the coffee shop. “The bakery and the cafe will be closing early, I think itwould be a good idea to close the coffee shop early too. And Scrapper will be here with his council in a few days.”

“I’ll get some of the guys here today to upgrade the security system. Then we can work on the fire damage,” Ares says.

“Thank you. Maybe we need to board up the windows, inside and out. Until we get the renovations done,” Eros suggests.

“I’ll call Paxton and see what he suggests we do,” Celestino says to them.

Some of our extended family lives in Wintervale, Montana. Paxton Vandenberg is a carpenter and whenever we need help with construction things, we call him. He and his family own the general store there.

“I bet he’ll be here by tomorrow.” I laugh.

“He probably will.” Zio Giacomo laughs.