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“This could be a ploy," Orsino said. “To gain your trust.”
"Well, then it's your job to figure out what his endgame is.” Jeremiah pulled me to the couch and sat me down. Then he settled on my lap, creating a barrier between me and his family. “Quite frankly, I'm surprised you let the Mennettis get the upper hand."
That got Andro's attention. "Jeremiah, you don't know what you're talking about."
"Perhaps. But only because you won't let me be involved in the business." Jeremiah had clearly been thinking about this. "You wanted me to go to law school to learn the ins and outs of whatever laws we’re bending. But you've kept me shielded from everything important. Maybe if you had let me know what threats were out there against our family and had shared all the information you seem to have about the Mennettis sooner, I would have recognized Felik. Instead, you left me totally vulnerable. Now, I can't regret that too much, considering I love him and it has worked out in my favor, but you guys could have told me so I was prepared. What was the point of teaching me to defend myself if I can’t even recognize our enemy?”
Andro crossed his arms, glaring daggers at my mate. Meanwhile, I sat there proud as a peacock. "You really love him, Jer? You trust him?"
He shook his head, leaning closer to me. "I do.”
“We're not letting him out of our sight." Andro looked between me and Jeremiah, warning us equally.
“I told you last night that I’ll work with you to take my brother down. I’m not letting him harm Jeremiah or any of you."
Andro strode forward, and I could see why the man was feared by many. If I didn't have Jeremiah so close to me, giving me strength, I just might’ve actually quaked in my boots.
“Stand up,” he said.
I obeyed, placing Jeremiah on the couch alone.
Andro gripped the collar of my shirt and squeezed until the fabric constricted around my neck. "If you fuck my family over, you will regret it. I will make your death slow and painful. There will be nothing left of your remains for your family to identify. You will be nothing but a rumor by the time I’m done with you. Do you understand?"
"Yes." I maintained eye contact with him, even though my stomach roiled with nerves. But I didn’t let my fear of Andro sending me to an early grave deter me from earning Jeremiah’s love.
Finally, he let me go. "Fine. If Jeremiah trusts you, then we will as well. But we’re watching you, Felik. One wrong move, and I’ll make use of the jail cells in the basement."
"Seriously?" Louie said, throwing up his arms in disappointment. "Here I thought I was gonna wake up and kick some ass today."
"It's still early," Andro said. “And this one has a lot to prove. Get dressed. We're having breakfast as a family to celebrate Pop's birthday.”
Jeremiah bounced to his feet. “Oh good. I brought him something from the gallery. He’s gonna love it.”
“Oh, that reminds me, Joey loved the piece you did for our wedding, and he’s hoping you might be able to do a portrait of Theo.” Andro’s tone had already lightened a great deal from how he talked to me just a minute ago.
I had whiplash from how quickly we changed topics. Or perhaps I was still recovering from having my windpipe squeezed. Either way, the attention was no longer on me.
For now, the brothers weren’t going to kill me, and I could remain with Jeremiah. I would do my best not to jeopardize that. Even if it meant selling out my sad excuse for a brother.
11
JEREMIAH
Once my brothers left us alone, Felik and I were able to get ourselves fully ready for the day.
My heat had been quick, but it had also been intense. And while Felik had cleaned me up after being together last night, we needed a shower.
Thankfully, like the rest of the suite, the shower was massive. It was also well stocked with a lilac-scented shampoo and rich conditioner. The two of us took our time under the hot spray, letting the suds slide down our bodies while we kissed.
I would never tire of Felik’s kisses.
Eventually, we had to leave our little slice of paradise and return to the real world. The Ferrini version of it, anyway.
Of course, my brothers were all sitting at the breakfast table, glaring daggers at us when we arrived. Breakfast had been laid out with a feast fit for a king. Not that I expected anything less from my family.
I kissed my dad on the cheek and sat down to his right with Felik next to me. "Sorry for crashing your party yesterday, Dad.”
“I do apologize about that, sir," Felik said. “I meant no disrespect.”
