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He rolls his eyes. “Good to see you’re still your normal self.”
“Peachy as ever.” I retort.
Gian takes his eyes off me, instead moving his attention to his father. “Are the men going to be there?”
Giuseppe exhales a long breath, he looks nervous which is unusual for him. “Yes.”
I finish the buttons on his shirt and he sits up quickly from the bed. Wincing slightly as the movement jostles his shoulder. “Good.”
“Who?” I ask. “You’re supposed to be taking it easy.” I feel like a scolding mother. Which may actually be my role in this family since Mom passed. The past week I’ve done nothing but take care of the three of them and scold Gian for not going slower.
Gio’s been in a fucking mood. We’ve all been on edge since the shooting, but he’s been worse than normal. I’m assuming something happened with Annie, but he won’t share. I hope he didn’t hurt her because honestly, I might like her more than him.
Even in the hospital after having surgery, Gian refuses to slow down. And my father was never good at taking care of himself, instead he happily accepts me stepping in where Ma left off.
Gian snorts. “I can’t go easy, Gem.” He gives me a devilish glare. “You know why.”
I flinch. No matter how hard I try to convince them otherwise, they believe Liam is out to get them. Their snide remarks break my heart, they remind me of my loss.
I want to put Liam O’Connor behind me, forget that he existed, but that’s hard to do when they keep reminding me.
They see him as a sin, one I’ll never live down.
I ignore the comment and smooth down the fabric of my top. I chose a loose red top paired with skinny jeans and a pair of suede pumps. It’s a lot for the hospital, but I’m trying to look my part again.
I’m trying to pretend to be the version of myself my family wants.
Even if I hardly recognize her anymore.
There are people in the house when we get Gian home, sans wheelchair. Other made men, capos, I think.
I pull a bottle of wine from the fridge and grab a bottle of cognac from the bar cart, offering drinks to the guests I wasn’t expecting. My father passes me a pleased look as I do. It’s just a few men, so they gather in Dad’s office shutting the doors and leaving me behind.
My bones ache and there’s a sluggishness that settles over my body. Being around people is exhausting. I’m about to call it a night and hide in my bedroom when I hear Liam’s name on Gian’s lips.
I move closer to the study door so I can listen better.
“We need to attack, now.” Gian says.
Men grumble in agreement. “How?” someone asks.
I have Andrew watching the O’Connor house. They’re all there right now. Both boys, the father, and the wife. The two daughters are gone. I want to take a page from their book.”
My heart stops and I hold a hand over my mouth to keep myself from crying out. I need to know the rest of his plan. I attempt to steady my breathing as I press my ear closer to the door.
“I have men there. We take out the guards. There are only three, on rotation like clockwork. Then, I want to burn the fucking place down.” Gian continues.
A tear drips from my cheek, I didn’t even realize I was crying. I listen for a response, silently begging someone to tell him no.
No one does.
Within a minute they’re all in agreement.
The O’Connors are going to die.
I take the stairs two at a time, running for my bedroom. The third day after Gian’s accident, my father gave me my phone back. I rush into my room heading straight for my purse and retrieving the iPhone.
I pull up the Chloe contact, thankful it wasn’t deleted, and hit call.
