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“Well, as I told you earlier, since the interview took so much of my day, I have to work late. Therefore, another evening we won’t be able to spend time together.”
“There are things we will have to do, Anya, whether we like it or not.”
“Yeah, yeah—you said that already. You act like I’m being selfish. All I ask is that there’s a limit. This is a lot for both of us.”
She’s said this plenty, as I’ve pleaded my case plenty. One of us is bound to snap.
Having not moved on from another man being so close to my wife and sick of the heat always being on me, I can’t stop the words spewing from my mouth.
“Well, then, why don’t you run toKaito fix all your problems?” I blurt.
“What the hell are you talking about? Where did that come from?”
“I walk in, and some asshole is getting cozy with my wife. You’ve grown awfully close these last couple months. I’m just saying he acts like he’s more than your employee.”
“Oh, no, big guy. I know what you’re doing, and it’s not going to work. Don’t you dare try to deflect and turn this around on me.” She stands, getting in my face.
Even with me sitting on her desk, she still doesn’t reach me at eye level and has to tilt her head up.
“You’re not denying it.”
“I amnotdoing this. You’re just trying to pick a fight because I’m mad at you, and you want to turn the tables.” Turning abruptly, she grabs her coat and bag before storming off, each step echoing as she ascends the staircase.
Tao follows, giving me that pityingyou fucked uplook.
Shit.
Rubbing my palm over my face, I let out an exasperated sigh. I admit that was childish. I trust Anya completely. Things wereperfect when we first got back into town. Somehow, we veered so off course I’m not sure how to get us on track. And trying to play the middle man between my family and my wife—well, fuck.That’s my problem.
Chapter Three
ANYA
"He said what?” my sister, Donna, yells from across the table, where we’re having a late lunch.
The sun beams off of her golden hair. She and Dom both took after their mother, while our papa, Cesare, has light-brown hair. Maya, who flew out with me to help Donna with details while I worked, shakes her head as if to saymen.I just recapped my conversation with my husband and all mydutiesas his wife.
I visit Chicago every several weeks for meetings, since this is where my family has always headquartered the Triad. While they weren’t forced out, numerous families were eager to move to New York. Some opted to stay, which worked out—we couldn’t desert the area. The Triad very much occupies this city and the rest of the Midwest. There’s no way I’m giving up this territory. I like having a prominent presence in the windy city. It also helps that my Chicago captain has proven his loyalty.
“Yep, and he accused me of flirting with Kai.” I chuckle at the ridiculousness of his accusation, crossing my eyes as I pop a piece of smoked salmon into my mouth.
I won’t deny I found a small sense of satisfaction in his jealousy. We didn’t say a word to each other last night, and I was up before the sun to catch my flight. I left him an olive branch. I smile thinking of the cute little note I left him.
“I’m gonna kick him in the balls next time I see him. Brother-in-law or not,” Donna vows.
I can’t help my laugh. “He was just picking a fight, but I’m not any less irritated.”
“You should stash some condoms in your purse,” Maya says as she stuffs her face before pointing her fork at me. “Oh, and in your car.”
“I’m not sure what that has to do with anything. And we don’t even use condoms.”
“Exactly!” Donna claps.
“She gets it.” Maya gestures toward my sister. “Look, if Nico finds condoms lying around, he’s going to go ludicrous.”
My eyes widen when I realize where she’s going with this grand plan.
“Are you insane? He’s a flick of the wrist away from snapping Kai’s neck. My husband is a made man. What do you think will happen if he finds condoms lying around.”
