AllFreeNovel
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Dinner is uneventful. The group talks, has a few drinks, jokes around. When it’s over, I stand with Ford and Carmine near the oak tree while the girls head to the bathroom before we head out.
“I like her,” Ford says earnestly. “At least you picked someone cool and hot to fake marry.”
“I still think this is a bad idea,” Carmine says, but his expression’s softer now. “But I like her too.”
“She understands the risks and she’s not doing this for free.” I glance away from them toward the tree. “She’s in this for the same reasons I am. Money and power. That’s what it always comes to for us, isn’t it?”
“Always does,” Ford agrees, but his voice is quieter now. “Why is that? What’s it get us? All this money.”
“Don’t get soft on me now,” Carmine says with a laugh. “You both know what it’s all about. Family and stability. Money, power, wealth, connections, those are all just a means to an end. The end is family.”
“So says the mafia Don.” I grin at him. “Things are simple for you. Build the Scavo Famiglia, take it legit. Meanwhile, the rest of us are left trying to find meaning in all this mess.”
Ford punches my arm. “Why the fuck are you getting philosophical on me?”
“Because it’s something I think about,” I say, pushing him away. “You have Kat. You have babies. What the fuck do I have? Just the next thing, that’s all. I wasn’t born into a mafia or into a rich family like you, Ford. I was born with nothing.”
The guys go quiet. I don’t bother trying to tell them how dissatisfied I’ve been in my life the last couple years. How even though I’ve been wildly successful, everything feels empty. Routine. Uninteresting.
This Crowley thing, it’s my ticket to the next level, to new challenges, to bigger and better opportunities.
To them, it probably doesn’t seem like it’s worth the risk.
But to me, there’s nothing else.
I have no strong bonds, no strong ties. No wife, no kids, no real family. Work is everything.
It gives me meaning, purpose. It gets me up in the morning.
Otherwise, what would I be?
That’s another reason why I shouldn’t get too close to Fiona: I’m a fucking workaholic. Married to my job.
In this case, that’s almost literally true.
“Just be careful,” Carmine cautions. “That’s all I’m saying. Don’t get that girl killed.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
The girls come back. I steer Fiona away from the group. We leave with a wave, her hand through my arm, her head leaning on my shoulder. She’s tipsy from drinking too much champagne. I like it when she’s bubbly like this, a little bit loose. She smiles up at me as we descend the front steps to the valet’s station to wait for the car.
“I had a good time,” she says, sounding surprised. “I like your friends. I still don’t think you seem like thefriendstype. But then again, I’m pretty sure they’re both criminals, so that makes sense.”
“Only Carmine,” I say, smiling at her. I brush some stray hairs from her face. Fuck, she looks beautiful. “I told them about us.”
“About—” She pauses, blinking. “Our arrangement?”
“Don’t worry. Carmine and Ford are my brothers. They needed to know.”
“If you think it’s safe,” she says, chewing her lip, but I can tell she’s not happy about it. “Only I wish I’d realized. Would’ve been nice to stop pretending.”
“Are you pretending right now?” She tries to pull away, but I hold on tight, not letting her go. “It’s fine. I’m only teasing.”
She relaxes. “I’ve had too much champagne, okay? It makes you more attractive than usual.”
I laugh at that. “Please, we both know you’re the one constantly thirsting after me.”
“Me? Thirsting? You’re like in the Sahara whenever I’m around. Drooling with thirst. You want a drink of me, Gareth Kane.”
