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You didn’t say who else knows though. We need to protect ourselves, right?”
Pure pride shines through my father’s eyes. “This is so much better than I could have imagined. The only people who know are sitting right here and the higher ups in the Moretto family. They’ll never rat on us because we have just as much leverage over them.”
“Not even Mom knows?”
“Don’t be silly, Rory. Your mother is lovely but can’t even cook breakfast, let alone handle knowing important secrets that could hurt our family and businesses.”
I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. My mother is a lot of things, but at least one of my parents isn’t a crazy murderer. Brendan’s gaze is unflinching as he watches me process this information.
“So, darling, how did you take all this information when you learned it? Is it going to bother you if I join my father’s business?” I ask Brendan.
My dad looks over at Brendan and slaps him on the back. “Of course he won’t mind, will you? You’ll be a true partner to him, and with the extra money you’ll make, Rory, you two will never want for anything. Your kids will know an even greater life of luxury than you two did.”
Brendan smiles, but it doesn’t touch his eyes. “Exactly. It’s killed me to have secrets from you, Princess. It’s such a relief to have it all in the open. Now we can get married and have the life we’ve always dreamed of.”
“Absolutely. I would like to know what exactly it is you do for this Moretto family though.
You can tell me now, right?”
My father and Brendan share a look, and my father nods. “I handle all their finances, both the legal and illegal side. That entails a lot of other things, but we have all the time in the world to dig deeper, don’t we?”
“Of course we do. I’m sure this is just the beginning. Thank you both for your honesty. I think I need something stronger than champagne now.” I fake a smile as I look at the time. It’s ten-thirty, and the guys have to know I’m gone by now.
“Why don’t we head into my office for a glass of bourbon? It’s a little early, but we could talk some more, and you both can stay for lunch before you head back to your place later?”
“Yeah, Dad. That sounds great.” I bite my lip at the time again and follow after these men I don’t know at all.
Wade
Thankfully,itdoesn’ttakeus more than a few minutes to get ready and head out the door. Rory swiped the burner phone Gray had been using to message her father and fiancé, so he easily tracked it to her parent’s house. We pile into our white Range Rover—it’s not a horse, but it’ll do—and break the speed limit to arrive at just after eleven. Henry’s and Brendan’s cars are parked in the driveway, but nothing looks dangerous or amiss otherwise. I know our girl can handle herself, so I take a deep breath, blow it out, and get out of the car.
Everyone follows suit, and we waltz up to the front door. Adler politely rings the doorbell, and we wait. A plain middle-aged woman answers the door in a maid uniform.
“Is there something I can help you gentlemen with?” She eyes us all skeptically.
“We’re here to see Rory.”
“Is she expecting you?”
“Yup.”
“Very well. Please come in and wait here. I’ll be right back.” She turns and walks away calmly.
Within a minute, voices reach us, one of them being Rory’s. As soon as she sees us, she runs into my arms, and I’ve never been more relieved in my entire goddamn life.
“Oh, thank fuck you came,” she quickly whispers into my ear.
I keep a firm grip on her waist as she releases me and turns to face her father and ‘fiancé’. Henry looks as if he’s seen a ghost, or four, and the tension in the room is palpable.
“Rory? What the fuck are they doing here? What’s happening?”
The rest of the guys step closer, surrounding Rory, so she’s protected on all sides. “Do you recognize them, Dad? I know they were small children when you last saw them, but they must still carry similarities that you recognize. Adler, Hayes, Gray, and Wade.” She points to us all in turn. “Oh, Gray. Here. Thanks for letting me borrow this. Please keep it safe because it has a very important confession on it.” Rory hands Gray the burner phone she took, and he quickly opens it, presses some buttons, then slides it into his pocket.
“You’re welcome, Little Bird. I’ll make sure it’s safe.”
“You lying whore! What have you done?”
The hammer of a gun being pulled back reaches my ears, and Adler’s voice follows. “Call our woman a whore one more time and find out where it gets you, Henry. It’s nice to see you again by the way.” Adler gives Henry a little wave of his fingers with his gun-free hand.
