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And if this came from Russo, then I need to know what this fucking deal is. So, this isn’t done. We need to get back and work out the next move.
I glance at Theo and nod. “Do it.”
* * *
When we’re back at the estate, we relay the info, and there’s a restlessness inside me, because all I want is Mia. I want to see her. I—
I need to get my fucking shit together. We’ve showered and cleaned up and our crew is removing the remains of Frank.
“We ended him,” I say, “or rather, Theo finished him off. He was just a cog.”
“Yeah.” Theo looks at his cousin and uncle. “Russo.”
De Luca rubs his face, looking old as his son, nephew and I look at him.
“What?” I say, voice hard. “What is it?”
I’m walking a fine line and I don’t give a fuck I’m speaking to the old head of the clan. This is my sweetness this fool put in danger. Or, at least, I think he did.
He shakes his head. “It’s my fault.”
“Dad?” Leo’s frowning.
De Luca raises his head. “There was a deal, and arranged marriage made for Mia with the Russo family. It was a long time ago, before the heinous things they did came to light, before I realized what it was they wanted; not an alliance, but our business.”
I can read between the lines. He doesn’t think she’d have survived the marriage.
Curling my hands into fists I wait for him to continue.
“She was just a child and it wasn’t set in stone. Not in my mind,” the old man says. “They saw it differently and I broke ties, ended that deal. I will not and would not allow a Russo, especially Micah Russo to overthrow my son. To hurt my daughter. That was the plan, take you out, and take your place, Leo. I couldn’t allow it. A De Luca will always run this family. It’s why Christian marrying Mia—”
“What the fuck?” Mia says behind us and everything goes stark white and cold.
Everyone turns. I breathe slowly, then finally, I turn, too.
Mia stare at me, like I tried to cut out her heart. Like I betrayed her soul. She’s standing there, in the door. “You knew this? Christian, is that why . . .”
I take half a step toward her. “Mia, listen.”
“I’m done listening.” She raises her hands like she’s warding us off. Me, she’s warding me off, because her eyes are all hurt and locked on me. “Fuck you all.”
And Mia turns and runs off.
ChapterTwenty-One
MIA
Those utter sons of bitches. All of them. My father, brother, Christian. I’ll throw Theo in, too, for good measure.
I storm down the hall to the kitchen where blessedly no one, not even the chef, is there.
Theo’s car keys are sitting on the island, and I snatch them up and stalk off to my bag which is in the foyer where I dumped it, or Christian dumped it. I don’t remember.
Right now, I’m buzzing with hurt and fury.
I know one thing. I can’t stay here. I have to go. Get away, be anywhere but here with these men.
Any other circumstances I’d go to Hellfire, but I bet they have that place being watched. Home is the only place I can think of. I’m about to head out when my phone rings and I toss the keys in my bag and set it near the door, and even though I don’t recognize the number, I press answer.
