PULLINGUPMYTITS, I use the tightness of my little black dress to hold them in place. I need these babies perky and proud, even if they’re practically hanging off my neck for the night. I fucked up last night and allowed things to go too far with Liam.
Giving my outfit for the night one last look. I purse my lips when I look at the platform heels I paired with my dress. Irritation floods through me when I remember my favorite heels were destroyed in Liam’s fucked-up adventure to the wonderland of mud and hell.
“Girl, look at that body.” A high-pitched voice teases from behind.
I pull my mini revolver from my cleavage and round on Hazel. Her eyes blow wide, and she puts her hands up.
“I knocked, but you didn’t answer. Do I even want to know where you hide that thing?”
I snort and relax, flipping the safety back on and adjusting myself to put it back into its hiding place.
“What do you want?” I ask, grunting as I maneuver my tits again.
“Heard you were moving out, so I wanted to check on you and make sure you’re alright.” Hazel stares at me with knowing eyes. If vulnerability is her goal tonight, she won’t be getting it from me.
“Is what it is.” I shrug. “I got shit to do. Don’t walk into my room again without my permission.”
I go to walk past her, collecting my purse from the table by my bedroom door. She turns and grabs my arm before I can leave. My back stiffens at the bold move. I already had a gun pointed at her moments ago, and now I’m holding back from snapping her head off her shoulders.
My fists clench at my sides, but I stand still, allowing her to continue with whatever point she had for coming here.
“This is the mob, Malia, not a fucking job application.” Hazel sighs and lets her hand drop. “You know as well as I do, Donnie doesn’t want to step up as leader. I know you love your dad, and you both respect him immensely, but there comes a time when you need to just take the shit. You’ve never held back from anything you want except this. You have the support of these men and women.”
The reason behind Hazel coming to me was more for Donovan’s benefit than mine. I hadn’t made it obvious that I know that she and my brother have been fucking around in secret for years. I'll never understand why they keep everything on the down-low when they can be with whomever they choose.
“I’ve been fighting for that crown for as long as I can remember.”
I reach for the door, opening it so I can leave after having the last word.
“My takeover won’t be won through bloodshed or default. I’ve earned it, and I’ll continue to prove myself until it’s mine because it will be.”
Not giving her so much as a glance, I stroll out of my room and make my way to the garage. Oren is leaning against the car I’ve been using, as if waiting for me. He nods his head, silently instructing me to unlock it.
He gets in the passenger seat and waits for me to get settled in the car. Oren blows out his cheeks, releasing a heavy breath when I shut the door, giving us the privacy he’s looking for.
“Liam knows who you are.”
My head snaps up at his statement, my gaze narrowing. I try to recount the events since I saw him last night, but nothing adds up.
“I mean, he doesn’t know Mila is you, but he knows Nate has a daughter named Malia.”
My mind races, knowing that, with this information, Liam will make it his mission to find out more about me. Fucking this mission in the ass and not in a fun way.
“Who?” I say between my teeth, knowing someone fucked up and talked.
“I’m sure you heard an agent got one of our men yesterday at the raid.” Oren runs a defeated hand down his face. “Liam offered to relocate him and freedom in cooperation for information. With this whole marriage ball thing, the news of your existence is spreading like wildfire.”
I groan, pissed off this mission is becoming more problematic with every day that passes. It’s nearing two months into this thing, and the only thing I’ve found out is my dad has me on a wild goose chase to protect some random man.
“Why are you telling me and not my dad or Donnie?” I ask him, trying to keep my anger from my voice.
“Deavers has been getting information to Liam from someone. Donovan has me trying to work out who’s feeding it to him, but after tonight, I think they’re higher than we thought.”
Oren grabs my chin to bring my focus solely on him. He searches my eyes, looking for something.
“Whoever his contact is has enough power to get him into the ball. Mal, Liam will make sure he’s there that night.”
“I have to see tonight through, O.” I pull my chin from his grasp but hold his stare. “Get me the name and address of our narc, and I’ll handle that tonight once I’m finished with Collins. I want you to find out who the fuck this Deavers is getting his information from. Someone owes me their goddamn head.”