Page 61

“Yeah.” I cross my arms over my chest. “I didn’t mean to get upset with you the other night. I was just taken by surprise. No one…” I let out a breath. “No one has ever been in my corner the way you have, and I’m not used to it.” I drop my gaze to the ground.

“Charlotte.” He reaches out, slipping two fingers beneath my chin. He lifts my face until our eyes meet. “All I want is to see you succeed. And I’ll do whatever I can to make that happen.”

My brows knit together. “But why? I’m no one special.”

His eyes darken, his hand sliding around the base of my neck as he tugs me closer. “Because, besides my daughter, you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” His thumb traces over my erratic pulse. “I may not be able to change the past, but I will be the reason you no longer fear the darkness.”

His words send warmth through my chest and fresh tears to my eyes. No one has ever said something so kind about me before. So heartfelt… Before I can overthink anything, he opens his arms, and I melt against his strong chest. His grasp on me tightens, his strength wrapping around me in a gentle hold I wish I could somehow be lucky enough to experience forever.

Chapter fourteen

Alex

“Quei figli di puttana!” Vin’s fist crashes down on his desk hard enough to rattle the whiskey glasses on the edge and knock over a picture frame. In the corner of the room, Thor and Zeus, his loyal guard dogs, startle awake, appearing alert with a few short barks.

“We knew they were going to take their revenge sooner rather than later,” Eli states, crossing his arms across his chest. “But I don’t think any of us expected them to make a move in broad daylight.”

“On our women,” Leo growls, the words dripping with lethal fury.

My knee bounces, fingers drumming against it as I stare out the window, trying to rein in the violence clawing beneath my skin. “How the fuck did they know Scarlett was there?” My eyes move to my brothers.

“No fucking clue,” Leo mutters, abruptly pushing to his feet. Agitation rolls off him in waves, his eyes darkening. “Scarlett’s and my wedding is next month. How do I know they won’t try to shoot up everyone inside the venue?”

Vin leans back in his chair and drags a hand down his face. “Because I hired more security than the fucking White House will ever see. Every single person there will have eyes on them.”

That seems to appease Leo. He gives a stiff nod, his jaw tight as he appears deep in thought.

Mauro’s gaze cuts to me. Did they see Charlotte?

I shake my head. “I don’t think so. She said she kept the hat and sunglasses on the entire time.”

And thank fuck she did. That’s the last complication we need.

“What’s the plan, Vin?” Leo starts pacing again, restless energy radiating off him. “Because I’m about two seconds away from getting on a flight to Chicago and handling this myself.”

Vin pins him with a cold stare. “Sit down.”

Leo shakes his head. “I can’t just sit here and wait for—”

“Sit,” Vin repeats, his voice heavily laced with authority. “Down.”

Leo’s eyes flash with fury, but after a tense second, he finally drops into his chair. Tension settles over the room, all of us waiting in silence.

Vin steeples his fingers, lost in thought. Seconds drag by before he reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone. He swipes across the screen, and a sharp ringing cuts through the quiet.

I arch a brow. Who would he be calling now?

“Vincenzo.” Mikhail’s deep voice echoes around us. “You’ve got some fucking nerve.”

“You broke the code of warfare by involving our women in this fight,” Vin replies callously. “Are you stupid, or do you have a death wish you’d like us to grant you? And believe me, we’re going to make it happen one way or another.”

“You killed my brother,” Mikhail states calmly. “There are no more rules to abide by.”

“Don’t forget your father too,” Leo adds, sitting forward.

“Ty mudak!” Mikhail snarls, his breathing growing heavy. “I will make you pay for spilling my family’s blood.”

“That’s not happening,” Vin asserts evenly. “I’m warning you, Mikhail; come after one of our women again, and I will rain fire over your golden tower.”