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“Let it be?” Cane asked incredulously. “I’m just supposed to be thrilled she decided to be with a crime lord?”
“We aren’t any better,” Crow said simply. “Remember the kind of men we used to be? You tried to kill my wife. I actually hit my own wife. Come on, we were fucking assholes. For some reason, our wives loved us anyway. Look where we are now. Pussy-whipped, romantic, and protective fathers who only care about our families.”
“I’ll be the first one to admit my wife deserves better,” Cane said. “Pearl deserves better. But my daughter definitely deserves better. She deserves fucking Prince Charming. Is there such thing? Was that just some myth?”
“All men are the same.” I spoke up. “We’re all pigs. We’re all dogs. And we’re all selfish assholes who only care about a handful of things. The difference between a man and a good man is simply a woman. When a man meets the right woman, he’s inspired to be better. He’s inspired to be kind, loving, and devoted. Until that moment comes, there’s no motivation. Bosco is no different. He was an asshole in the beginning. But Carmen is clearly the right woman for him…because he rose to the occasion.” I drank from my glass then let it rest in my hand. “I understand you want Carmen to have someone better. I wanted the same thing. But the truth is…I don’t know if that’s possible. I know I love and deserve Vanessa, but that only happened because I worked for it. I was different before I met her. But I swear—” I snapped my fingers. “The moment I met her, I changed. And I was never the same again.”
Both men watched me, hanging on to my every word.
Cane spoke next. “My daughter will never be safe with a man like that. Any man in this country would want his head on a platter so they can take all his glory. My daughter can’t have the life she deserves if she’s always looking over her shoulder.”
“He gave it up.” I set my glass down. “He told me his brother bought him out. The casino is his brother’s now. It’s not official yet, only if this works out for him. But I can tell he means it. This isn’t some kind of act.”
Crow was speechless, rubbing his fingers against his temple. He turned to his brother next.
Cane seemed disappointed, not relieved. “Shit.”
“You’re stuck,” Crow said. “Fighting it will just make it worse. Trust me on that.”
“This guy isn’t like Griffin,” Cane argued. “He’s pompous and arrogant. He thinks he’s the king of this city.”
“Because he is.” I would never say it to his face. “The man owns everything and everyone. It’s a double-edged sword. He has the resources to protect Carmen, but he also brings the risk of attracting danger at the same time.”
“If he’s willing to give up that lifestyle…” Crow shrugged. “Then he must be pretty serious about Carmen. He’s trading in a life of power for a simple one with Carmen. It’s the same sacrifice Griffin made, but Bosco’s doing it much quicker.”
“Because he knew that was the only way to keep Carmen,” I said. “She left him at first, but he vowed to give her everything she wanted if she stayed.”
“And what else does she want?” Cane asked.
“A husband, four kids, and a house in Tuscany near you,” I answered, knowing that would touch him.
Cane didn’t show any emotion. “I’ve been dreading this day for a long time. I told myself it wouldn’t be that bad, that I was just making a bigger deal than necessary. Nope, it’s worse.”
“It doesn’t have to be worse,” Crow said. “Just be calm. Listen to her. And work toward accepting him. Don’t throw a fit like I did.”
“I don’t know if I can do that, Crow.” Cane shook his head. “I just want her to have a good life…”
“She stopped being a child when she was eighteen,” Crow reminded him. “She’s twenty-five now. She’s a smart girl who runs her own business, and in Bosco’s defense, he doesn’t seem that bad. It seems like he really does love her.”
Cane shook his head. “Who knows…”
“He let us go,” Crow reminded him. “He never threatened us. He never pointed a gun at us. He didn’t take the money. He’s walking away from the casino…I know you don’t want to accept it, but you have to, Cane. When Carmen talks to you, put on a brave face. Don’t push her away. It’s not gonna change anything besides putting a strain on your relationship with your daughter.”
“My relationship with my little girl is stronger than that,” Cane said, offended.
Crow gave him a sad look. “I know this is hard to hear, Cane. But she’s not your little girl anymore.”
Cane filled his glass then took a long drink, ignoring his brother’s words because he didn’t know what else to do. He swallowed the liquor hard then slammed his glass back on the table. “She’ll always be my little girl.”
