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Well, shit, she has me there. I can’t fucking think of a reason why Neo isn’t good enough. He’s the best fucking guy I know. “I don’t know. He’s a good man, loyal as fuck, and I know he’d lay down his life for anyone in this family. But really, Angelica? Could you not just go find yourself some accountant or something?”
“Yeah, I could see that going down real well when it came time to meet the families.” She laughs.
“I don’t want to see you get hurt. And I don’t want to have to shoot my best friend because he’s the one who hurt you.”
“Why do you think he’d hurt me?”
“I’ve never known Neo to have a steady girl. He’s never been interested in relationships. He can also be a little… unpredictable. He’s a made man, Angelica. And I have my niece to consider.”
“So, he’s like you? Like Papa?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I may not know you very well yet. But I’ve seen how you treat Holly, and I’ve seen how you treat women in general. And I know my dad would never hurt a woman on purpose. I don’t consider that a bad trait in a partner.”
I look into her eyes and I see it. She has true feelings for Neo. This wasn’tjust because she was bored. “This wasn’t the first time, was it?”
“No.”
“When? How many times?”
“It doesn’t matter. What matters is I need you to not make this difficult for me.”
“Fucking hell, why? Seriously, what the fuck have I done wrong in my life for this to happen?”
“Did you ever think that this actually has nothing to do with you? Whatever Neo and I choose to do, or not do, is on us. Not you.”
Holly walks back into the room. “I agree. You need to leave them alone, Theo.”
“You’re supposed to be on my side here, dolcezza.”
“I am. Always. Which is why I’m telling you that, unless you want to lose them both, you need to stay out of it. You can’t control everyone, T.”
“Well fuck, Holly, why do you have to be right all the fucking time?”
“Because I’m always right?” she questions.
“Mmm, sure. Sit down. These burgers won’t take long.” Then I turn to Angelica. “Where’s Isabella?”
“She’s with Papa. He took her out riding somewhere.”
“Riding what?” I ask.
“Ponies.”
I roll my eyes. Of course he bribes her with fucking ponies. I make a mental note to add a stable to our new house.
* * *
I left Holly in the movie room with Angelica, promising I wouldn’t be out long. I shouldn’t be surprised that he’s in the first place I look for him. The fucking basement. “Took you long enough. I was starting to think you weren’t going to show.” Neo rises up from the ground, dusting his pants off.
“I had more pressing matters to deal with first. Thought I’d leave you to stew in the shit you’ve gone and gotten yourself into for a bit.” I undo the buttons of my shirt and hang it on a hook on the cement wall. I unstrap the knives on my ankles and throw them to the ground. I made a point of leaving my guns upstairs. I don’t want to be tempted to actually kill the fucker. Just make him bleed.
“So, how’s this going to go? Am I supposed to hold back now that you’re the Don?”
“If you hold back, I’ll fucking kill you, Neo. You give as good as you get. If you can.”
He nods once. We’ve been sparring all our lives. It’s a fair match—that’s for sure. But I’ve got something he hasn’t right now. Burning fucking rage. Because of the fucking war that’s going on. Because I’m in a position I wasn’t fucking ready for. Because I can’t fucking find the Irish fucking Clover. And because my best friend went and fucked around with my sister. With that thought, I swing. Hard. Fast. He doesn’t see it coming, and it knocks him back a step.
