Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 73663 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73663 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Orsino holds up a hand. “Only under the condition that we split the spoils of this fight equally among us.”
“That works for me,” Rocco says.
“Done,” I agree.
“Then I hereby swear the Milano Famiglia into this alliance.”
“And I swear the Rinaldo Famiglia.”
“And I swear the Rossi Famiglia.” I nod to each man in turn. “Should we cut palms and make a blood oath?”
Rocco chuckles. “Like schoolboys. It’ll be fun.”
Orsino stands. “I’ll pass on the blood. We’ve made our agreement. Gentlemen, I will be in touch to make plans. The faster we end this fight, the better.” He sweeps out of the room with his men in tow.
I remain with Rocco. He seems thoughtful as he tilts his head to one side. “How’d you convince Saul to go along with this?”
“I told him it’s his duty to the family. I’m also paying him.”
He laughs. “Same with my daughter.”
“They’ll fight it.”
“I suspect they will.”
“But it’s for the best.” I stand up and hold out a hand. “No hard feelings for what happened with Allegra.”
“None at all. You didn’t run. That was my daughter’s choice.” He shakes my hand.
I leave with Dante. We exit the office in silence and ride the elevator alone together. “Think it’ll hold up?” he asks me, speaking quietly.
“For a while at least. If the fight turns protracted, I don’t know what’ll happen. Orsino might turn, or he might decide it’s not worth the effort.”
“And what about Rocco?”
“If Saul actually marries his daughter, we’ll be in a good spot.” I glance at my close friend and a smirk slips onto my lips. “She’ll be a solid bargaining piece at least.”
He laughs, shaking his head, and we descend to street level.
Chapter 39
Maddie
Six Months Later
I lug my pregnant butt up the steps, taking each one slowly. My feet hurt, my back hurts, everything basically aches, and all I want to do is sit in the kitchen and let Tara feed me crepes.
Yep, crepes. It’s a new, weird craving, but whatever. They’re delicious.
Instead, I knock on Renzo’s door. He calls me in and I shuffle through, feeling like a bowling ball. I’m exaggerating only a little bit. My husband gets up, comes around his desk, and gives me a kiss before guiding me into a chair. Which also annoys me—it’s not like I can’t handle myself. Except he treats me like a princess and is constantly trying to make me more comfortable, which would be super nice and I’d really appreciate it, if only I weren’t so damn hormonal all the time.
I kiss him back and smile. “I can’t wait to give birth.”
“I can’t wait either. How long do we have? Two years?”
“I’m not an elephant. I only feel like one.”
“You’re beautiful, baby. Don’t talk about yourself that way. I’d break a man’s jaw if I heard him say that about you.”
“Gonna break mine?”
He kisses me and shakes his head. “Never.”
“Thought so.” I sigh and lean back in my chair. “You’re a big puppy dog.”
“Yeah, baby, that’s me. A puppy dog.” He grins viciously from behind his desk as he settles again. “Speaking of which, you and I need to discuss the latest mess.”
“What did he do?” I don’t need to be more specific. We both know how I’m talking about. Renzo’s expression darkens as he ruffles his hair, looking frustrated.
“Carlo hit another Irish bar last night without getting permission first. It went well, he killed a couple Lynch soldiers and stole a few hundred dollars, but it was a stupid risk with very little payoff.”
I nod and chew on my lip. Carlo, freaking Carlo. Ever since this war began, he’s been nothing but a loose cannon. Going off on his own, getting into fights, taking on hits when he shouldn’t. The guy’s taking too many risks, not only with his own life, but with the Famiglia’s standing.
“Want me to talk to him?”
“I’m not sure that’ll help.”
“We have a bond.” Which is true—he comes over at least once a week now and sits with me and his mother. He rarely talks, mostly listens, but it seems to calm him. “He might actually hear what I have to say.”
“If you can get through to my brother, I would be greatly appreciative. But you know how I feel about this.”
“Yes, darling, you don’t want me getting too involved. But here’s the problem. I can’t go into work anymore, it’s been six months, and I’m supremely bored. What else am I supposed to do except meddle in Famiglia affairs?”
“I don’t know.” He gives me a pointed look. “Garden? Keep yourself safe? Don’t get implicated in crimes?”
I wave that away. “I’ve become so freaking immune to all the stupid shit you guys do that I don’t even notice it when I’m breaking a bunch of laws too.”
“I know. That’s a problem.”
I cock my head. “Is it though?” I keep going before he can interrupt. He’s looking at me like he wants to lock me up in our bedroom for my own good. “I haven’t been happier. Seriously, Renzo, it’s like I woke up from a dream six months back and now I’m actually living. I like being a part of the Famiglia. I like caring about your business.”