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“Do you want me to get something for your pain?”
Enzo’s concerned expression makes me realize he’s really nervous about how this conversation is going to end. He’s worried about me and whether I’m physically okay. But he’s also worried I’ll be so emotionally damaged that I’ll leave with my parents when they inevitably demand I go with them.
“Yes, please.”
“Do you want to go to bed? I know you don’t want to miss anything, but you look like you’re about to drop.”
“I can last, but I hope there’s some Epsom salt here because I’d love to soak in a bath before we go to bed.”
His eyebrows shoot up, and I can practically hear him asking, “we?”
“Some ibuprofen would be great now, but I already told you what I need later.”
I try to keep my voice down, but my mom shoots me a look. It’s the one I would get as a kid when I couldn’t sit still somewhere I was supposed to be seen and not heard. I stopped paying attention a while ago, so I’m unprepared for Pasha to speak to me.
“None of us thought Simms would go after one of our wives’ friends. Not that I’d ever wish anything on Sumiko’s friends, but I’m the one he’s angry at.”
I’ve always liked Pasha — all of them really — but his expression matches how apologetic his voice is.
“We know that’s just an excuse. I’m sure some of this is to retaliate by hurting Laura. But he’s really trying to get revenge by drawing you into a fight. I’m just the bait.”
Pasha nods, but then he glares at Finn. I follow his gaze, and Finn’s expression is defiant. No one says anything, so I do.
“Finn, how’s your family involved?”
“We’ve used Simms just like everyone else.”
I wait for more, but nothing is forthcoming. I look up at Enzo, but he’s just as tightlipped. My gaze sweeps the room, and I can see no one wants to get into any details. But I don’t give a shit.
“Finn, tell me. Whatever you did to the Kutsenkos or the Mancinellis is what really pissed this psychopath off. I want to know how this is all connected.”
Finn and Dillan exchange a look, but neither of them says anything. I look up at Enzo again. My expression is anything but loving. My fiancé concedes.
“The O’Rourkes thought they were smarter than they were. They tried to use my family as patsies while they went after the Kutsenkos. They used my family’s history with the bratva as their cover. Pasha’s wife figured it out, so the money stopped going to Simms. Pasha convinced Simms’s son to go back to China.”
I already knew half of that, but I’m still putting the pieces together.
“Back to the Wo Shing Wo, which is how I come in. He’s pissed that investments he made that would connect him to the Wo Shing Wo, and I assume hopefully his son, didn’t work out. He believes I ruined the deals.”
I turn back to face Dillan and Finn, one eyebrow cocked. I don’t know if I expect them to confirm, deny, or add to this. But I wait and stare. It’s my dad who loses his patience first.
“Dillan, why are you here?”
“Because my family promised to always watch out for yours. It was a condition of Martin leaving. He agreed he’d take the fall if the feds ever came snooping, but in exchange, we had to protect all of you. The feds aren’t involved, but your family’s been threatened.”
Besides my dad, there isn’t a man in this room who doesn’t look like he could be part of an NFL starting lineup. They’re all huge. The bratva men are the biggest, but really not by much. Seeing them all together makes me realize just how big Enzo is. He’s tall and broad shouldered, and I suppose that’s why I have faith that he can hold up the weight of the world when I get scared. It’s eye-opening to witness the level of danger my future husband deals with when he's around these men who would kill him if they weren’t in a home with women and children.
My mom and dad exchange their own look before my mom responds to the pledge Dillan just shared.
“We appreciate knowing you’ve looked out for us. I don’t want to know if you’ve had to do anything to protect us, but if you have, we thank you. But my dad left the mob to keep our family far from it. I want to honor that wish. I also know the Mancinellis are about to become more my family than the O’Rourkes have been in generations. I trust my daughter’s safety to her future husband. Your help is no longer needed.”
Did my mom just fucking fire the mob?
From the way Maks just snorted, and Salvatore smirks, I think she did. Short of saying she wishes them the best in their future endeavors, she dismissed them. Finn steeples his fingers as he leans forward, his forearms resting on his thighs.
“I wouldn’t be so quick to have all your faith in them. Enrique Diaz just hired Simms to put a hit on a seniorCosa Nostramember. If you don’t want your daughter caught in the crossfire again, you might not want to cut your ties with us just yet.”
The entire room goes still except for the O’Rourkes, who believe it’s their turn to smirk. Bogdan’s leaning back in his seat, appearing far more casual than I know he is. It surprises me that he speaks up because only the family leaders have said anything besides Enzo. Then again, I know he, Aleks, and Niko lead alongside Maks, even if Maks makes the ultimate decisions.
