Page 42 of Body of Trust

“Was it because of you?”

He pauses for a beat. “No. I beat him, but he was found with a bullet in his head. Whoever sent him to get you punished him for a poor job. Good news is, no one knows I was there. The surveillance cameras were wiped clean.”

I swallow as I digest the facts. “Have you ever killed a man before?”

His jaw tightens in disgust as he raises his chin and takes onus of his actions. “At the club, when I fired, I killed a member of the Lugazzi family.”

“Are you okay with that?” I can’t fathom how one would be, as I’ve never been in his shoes.

“No, but I made a vow to protect. And when your life was at risk, I didn’t think twice.” His shoulders fall as he appraises my reaction. “You’re worried.”

“Two men have died. It’s unsettling.” I pull the sheet tighter on my body.

He takes swift steps, closing the space between us. His hand cups my head, turning it up until I look into his eyes. “Don’t feel guilty. You didn’t choose any of this. You’re good, Amelia. That’s why I opened up to you last night, why I’m telling you my secrets now.”

It is not lost on me how valuable these secrets are. I fought for them, and now that they’re mine, I need to value what they mean.

“My entire life, I’ve been in this bubble. I’m still being kept in the dark by those I love, yet you’re willing to tell me everything. What does that say about my family?”

“Your father didn’t want you to be part of this life. That’s why he pushed you to have your own job, your own career, and not in the family business. He had no idea he was dragging you into his world tenfold.”

“When this is over, my father will lose his business, won’t he?” I ask.

Jesse’s omission of words lets me know I’m correct. It hurts to believe it.

“My father built that business from the ground up. He’s always talked about being a poor kid from the projects in Long Island City. He swam in the East River and played ball in the alleys because there wasn’t money for anything else. He spent so many years making a name for himself that it’s hard to believe he’d risk it all.”

“For men like him and Frank Evangelista, it’s a way of life.”

“I feel like such a fool.”

“You’re anything but.” He holds me close, bringing me flush against his body. “Do you know that seeing your face every Friday night was the highlight of my year? Our talks, the way you smiled when I slid a Moscow mule your way, or just when I listened to your laugh when you were talking to Sienna or your mother. God, your smile is so fucking perfect. You have everyone’s best interests in mind. I could listen to your stories all day. You’re smart, kind, beautiful, and funny. I’m so crazy about you.”

I gaze up into his eyes, falling for his words and melting into his embrace. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying, I care for you too much to listen to you doubt yourself one more time. I know it’s going to be hard, but we can do this. As long as you stop thinking of yourself as a fool.”

I nod into his hand. “I’ll try.”

“You will. My smart, feisty woman is going to come out on top.” He kisses me on the forehead and then hands me my plate. “Now, eat up because you have to get dressed, so I can drive you to work.”

“You’re driving me?” I’m shocked.

“Fuck yes … I’m not letting you out of my sight, which is why you’re coming with me to work tonight.”

“You are so confusing. You say we can’t be seen together, and then you declare that I’m going with you.”

“After what happened last night, we stay together no matter what. And besides, where I work is a place you go all the time.”

I give him a concerned stare as I take a seat. “Wait a minute. When you say work, you mean …”

He laughs, a deep, booming one. “Call your mom and sister and tell them you’re going to dinner at Villa Russo.”

“The club is open this soon after the shoot-out?”

His brows lift. “Baby, they were open the next day.”

Chapter Eleven