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She shrugs, but I can’t help but notice the twist of her lips. “It’s his apartment, isn’t it?”
“Not if you don’t want him here.”
“Hey…” Marco’s grumble echoes through the entrance, and Maisy’s frown softens.
She wraps her fuzzy pink robe tighter around her middle and waves a nonchalant hand. “It’s fine, let him in.”
“You can come in, asshole, but keep your distance,” I shout over my shoulder.
Maisy’s eyes round as they take in my brother. I always find it comical to see others’ reactions when they see us together. My entire life I’ve been accustomed to having a trailing mirror-image of myself, but I suppose it could be startling at first.
“Morning, Maisy.” Marco gives her a sheepish grin. “Sorry again for the other day…”
“Let’s just forget about it.” She wraps her hands around the mug, and I close the distance between us, filling it with the coffee from the fresh pot she’s made.
“Good,” I whisper as I press a kiss to her temple. “Because I want Marco to stay with you while I go hunt down Jasper.”
“Right now?” she squeals.
“I promised you his head by the end of the week, did I not?”
“That was pretty overzealous,” Marco mutters under his breath.
“It’s Tuesday, I have plenty of time,” I bark at my meddlesome brother.
Maisy wraps her arms around my middle and stands on her tiptoes to brush a kiss against my lips. “Can it wait just a little longer?”
“I thought this was what you wanted.”
“It is,” she whispers. A hint of that fear rises to the surface again. “I’m just worried is all.”
“Don’t be. I can handle your ex.”
“I know…” A twinge of mischief eclipses the panic, and her lips curve into a naughty smile. She rises higher onto her tiptoes and whispers, “You never did get to claim your reward after ending the feud with Dante.”
Her excitement is contagious, and a huge smile spreads across my face. “You naughty little fox, are you trying to seduce me so that I won’t leave?”
Her head bounces up and down. “Is it working?”
“Of course it is.” I lace my fingers through hers and drag her toward the hall to my bedroom. The sweet scent of orchids and warm vanilla fill my nose. Everything in this apartment is laced in Maisy’s scent, she’s invaded every dark corner of my life, and I couldn’t be happier. “Maybe it can wait a few minutes…” Before I get far, I double back and turn to Marco. “There’s something you need to know about our father.” I tick my head at the box on the coffee table. “Read the letters. We’ll be done in an hour tops.”
“Really?” Marco’s lips twist in disgust.
“Okay, you’re right, more like two.” I shoot him a wicked grin. “Happy reading.”
“Happy fucking,” he calls out as I disappear with Maisy down the hall.
CHAPTER 40
WHEN YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW
Maisy
I heave out a breath as I stare at the blinking cursor on the screen. I’ve spent all morning filling out paperwork to set up my foundation. I’ve contacted former high society acquaintances and even called in a favor with my mother. She’s already promised to help me host a charity ball to kick off the inauguration of the abused women’s organization. Now, I just need to come up with the name. The cursor continues to blink, taunting me.
Throwing myself headfirst into this project has been the perfect distraction to keep my spiraling thoughts away from Nico and Jasper. Never in a million years did I think I’d feel afraid for the brutal mob boss. Nico always seemed untouchable; the flawless hunter, his entire body is honed to lethal perfection. He’s a born weapon of destruction. And still, I can’t shake this terrible feeling.
Maybe that’s what real love does to someone.
