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No overt mentions of mob ties, but that’s to be expected. No one just walks around with name tags that say, “Mafia Overlord” or “CEO Criminal Empire.”
Although that would be super helpful if they did.
Instead, the ties are always in the details. Lucky for me, I freaking love the details.
I lose myself in the research. Three cups of coffee later, and I’m jolted back into reality by the sound of the garage door closing and the door to the house opening. I check the time and realize it’s already 3pm.
Shit.
I snap my laptop closed right as Nico walks in the door.
“Hello, Christina,” he greets me with a slow smile. Enzo is right behind him, leaning against the door jamb and looking suspiciously like some sort of dark angel.
“Hi?” I ask, trying and failing to sound casual.
It’s not a crime to want to know more about this family I’ve been forced into. But a part of me knows that it wouldn’t be encouraged, either.
“What are you up to?” Nico says, eyeing me suspiciously. “You look like you’re scheming or plotting.”
“Nothing, it’s just—” I can’t finish my sentence, my words keep sticking in my mouth. I notice the dried brown stains on their shirts and latch onto those.
“Your shirts are covered in blood.”
My words are a whisper, but reality hits me hard. This is probably a regular part of their lives.
Just… coming in, banged up and bloody.
“Why?”
My gaze quickly takes in both of their faces, their bodies, trying to determine the source. My thoughts immediately turn to Matt.
Oh no.
Do they know what he said? That wouldn’t be good. I’m sure that Julia isn’t the only person who saw it. His profile is public, and I imagine talking about the family is something that comes with consequences.
Deadly consequences. Shit.
“What happened? Are you okay?” I stand, brushing my hands against my pants.
“Worried about me, Angel?” Nico asks, pulling me against him. The coppery smell of blood is stronger when my face is smashed up against his chest.
Gross.
“No.” I huff, trying to push myself free but getting trapped against his body. “Obviously, I wanted to thank whoever did it. Maybe send them flowers. That’s all.”
Lies. All lies.
Enzo bursts out laughing, tugging on my waist to take me away from Nico. “Come on. You can admit it.” Enzo places a kiss on top of my head.”
I breathe in his woodsy scent and a small feeling of relief floods through me. They may be a lot of things, but I’m safe with them.
But given that neither of them sound mad nor they haven’t said a word about Matt… that probably means they don’t know. Or they do know, and killing makes them this happy. I can hope the blood is unrelated but… unless I bring it up, I won’t know for sure.
“No,” I struggle and try to push myself out of his arms. I just need a bit of space to process everything.
“Hey, what’s wrong, princess?” Enzo asks. He holds me tighter still.
God, where do I begin? The sudden dismantling of my life? The end of my relationship? The nagging suspicion that I don’t know my own mother?
