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“Well, I received word that Kieran is looking for an outfit to poach clientele from and debts to collect.”
“How the hell can he do that from that creepy house he lives in?”
“Ivers International has hands in every pie; organized crime is only the tip of the iceberg where their computers are concerned, and Kieran’s a hacking phenomenon.”
I stroke a hand over my chin, considering this. “And he thinks I owe him something?”
Gia frowns. “Heknowsyou do.”
Goddamn Dominic Harrison.
If I weren’t such a fucking sap, there’d be no wedding. No war with a man lacking a soul.
And that’s saying something since all made men sell a part of themselves for this life. My soul reeks of destruction, but Kieran’s is missing altogether. I’ve only met him once, right after he took over fixing for an outfit in Stonemore, the town a half-hour away, in light of his older brother’s death. But once was enough.
What kind of a bastardsmilesduring his own brother’s funeral?
I sure as fuck didn’t smile at Ma’s. How could I, knowing what I’d done? The guilt follows me around like a lost ghost, and it’s what drove me to help Caroline in the first place. A form of atonement I’m not sure she’s capable of offering.
Reaching for the scotch at the corner of my desk, I tip my head back and down the remainder of the drink, admiring the burn as it glides down my throat. Slamming it back on the wooden surface with a grunt, I level Gia with a look. “Does he know I’m not giving her up?”
He nods, shifting and crossing his legs. Gripping his knee in one hand, he flicks a piece of lint off his jeans. The picture of ease, thoughmyinsides are boiling. “Do you really want to keep her?”
Blinking, I narrow my eyes. “Why the fuck wouldn’t I?”
“I don’t know. It isn’t like this is a marriage that’s really benefitingyou. I mean, wasn’t Siena just here?”
The slight bite of jealousy in his words makes my chest squeeze. Gia keeps quiet about his sexuality, but I know a small crush simmers beneath the surface of my best friend. “Yeah, so?”
“So, why not give Caroline an out, let her marry Kieran, and move on with your life?”
“I don’t want to do that. Besides, I paid my dues. If I’m going to be out a few million dollars, don’t you think I deserve to get something out of it?”
To keep my promise to Caroline and provide protection for both her and that bratty sister of hers, I had to outbid Kieran, which meant paying Dom’s hefty debt to him. And even though it barely made a dent on my bank, my pride still suffered.
“You’re starting a war by bringing her here, and you don’t seem to really care.”
“Idon’tcare.” I shrug, suddenly feeling trapped in my expensive suit. I don’t know what it is exactly about this subject that makes my skin crawl, but I’m quickly becoming irritated with the conversation. “Caroline belongs to me, regardless of how this arrangement benefits either of us. She will be mywife, and I promised to protect her. As my oldest friend, I thought you of all people would get my desire to honor my word.”
Bowing his head, he uncrosses his legs and braces his forearms on them. Giacomo and I grew up in this life together; his family followed my father and me shortly after Ma was murdered in New York, starting the Montalto operation under the thumb of the Riccis in Boston. When my father retired as underboss and Gia’s father was shot and paralyzed, we naturally assumed their previous roles and have been running the unit ever since.
His older brother Angelo serves as one of my soldiers, constantly causing trouble. Most times, Gia’s only job is to keep an eye on the unruly fucker.
As underboss, my father only ever admired one trait in a man—loyalty. Dominic Harrison never had any; always looking for a way to steal a quick buck, the senator began as a bookkeeper for Ivers International, but quickly expanded his business. Using money he skimmed from the Ivers’ company, he secured himself a seat in the legislature and began borrowing from organized crime units throughout the state, promising the moon and more.
Most of the campaign money at this point is stuff he’s straight-up laundered from our businesses, using connections as a front and funneling the money into his own account. He’s playing a dangerous game; one I suspect he’s close to losing. Few steal from the mafia and live long enough to tell about it.
But regardless, with whatever the fuck is going on with him, the littletopolinaismine.I have a feeling she might be worth it.
“Lotta pussies dryin’ up today, my friend.” Marco Alessi, head of shipments and imports, claps his hand on my shoulder, shaking me. Considering how many trips he’s made to the bar, and the stench of vodka on his breath, I’m guessing he’s wasted.
Phoebe, the petite brunette bartender that he insisted we staff, glances at him warily as she adjusts my cufflink. I don’t know how I managed to rope her into helping me dress for my elopement, but she seemed happy enough to leave her post at first. Now, she just seems annoyed.
I can relate. “Goddamnit, Marco, you’re not supposed to get drunk until after the wedding. That’s what the reception is for.”
“Sue me.” He shrugs, swinging his arms at his side and scanning the room. Crimson’s club floor is split-level, half for the dancefloor and bar, the elevated half a VIP area with strippers and sticky, red leather booths. My eye catches Siena’s red hair as she works a pole from above, shaking her ass like her life depends on it, and I quickly look away. Marco, though, zeroes in on her, a wicked grin slicing across his face. “Excuse me.”
He takes the stairs quickly, immediately sidling up to the side of the stage Siena’s on, leaning against the edge as she shimmies around. I roll my eyes, but not because I give a shit who he fucks. My men stick it in these girls as often as I do.
