It’s neutral territory, or at least it used to be. That doesn’t mean a meet-up is a good idea. It’s been a week since I married Angelica. Six days since I sent the heads of Constantine Larone’s men back to him. After Butcher dropped them off, it’s been silent. They know who sent them.
“You can agree to the meet, and I’ll show up and handle business.” Butcher smirks.
“As wonderful as that bloodbath sounds, Fernando–”
His smirk turns to a scowl when I use his real name.
“I don’t think I’m starting off on the right foot if I murder my bride’s father in cold blood when he’s made an offering of peace.” As much as I want him dead for attacking us after the ceremony, I’m also interested to know why he did it. If it was just the money, that’s one thing. But is there something else in the old man’s head that might prove more dangerous? I don’t know. But I need to find out.
“Does she even like Constantine?” Gilly asks.
“No. He wasn’t kind to her.” I force my hands to relax from where they’re fisting the arms of my chair. I still remember the bruises that darkened her side. They’re almost gone now, only faint yellow marks remaining. I’ve kissed them more times than I can count. I can’t seem to get enough of my new bride. In fact, I want her right now.
“Accept the meeting.”
“Antonio–”
I cut Gilly off. “This is necessary. If I snub my nose at them, they’ll escalate, and that could put Angelica in danger. If it’s a higher dowry they’re after, then I’ll pay it. I don’t give a shit about the money.”
Gilly stares at me, and he doesn’t even have to make his argument. I already know what it is.
“I know you’re worried this will jeopardize us or seem weak. I get it.” In fact, I feel like a record playing on the wrong track simply because I haven’t gone and gutted Constantine myself. But with Angelica in the mix, things are different now. I have to think about her. “Constantine has another daughter, Angelica’s sister. She’s still under his roof and under his thumb.”
Butcher shrugs. “No one’s going to hurt some silly little mafia princess.”
“Constantine will.” I stay firm. “If he can use Bianca to get at Angelica, he will.” I don’t tell them, but I spent several hours talking to Angelica about her sister a few nights ago. She’s worried about her, especially given the fact her father has proven himself to be a man who’ll sacrifice his own family if it means he gets what he wants. She hasn’t been able to contact her at all, her phone rejecting all calls and texts. Angel is worried.
“So we take out Constantine.” Butcher crosses his arms over his wide chest.
“Stop thinking with your cleaver.” Gilly sighs. “We can’t kill Constantine unless he makes the first move.”
“Shooting up the honeymoon car wasn’t the first move?” Butcher raises a brow.
“You know it isn’t.” Gilly raises a brow. “Not unless we have real proof. The other families will never take our side over the Larones.”
I sigh, tired of the back and forth. “We aren’t hitting Constantine. Even though he’s a bastard, he’s still my wife’s father. She doesn’t have much love for him left, but there’s enough that I don’t want to destroy him and risk hurting herorher sister.”
Butcher groans in frustration.
“You can’t just murder or torture this problem away.” Gilly throws his hands up.
“No more discussion. Tell them I’ll be at the meeting.” I don’t like the decision any more than my men do, but I have to try to settle things between the Larones and my family, for Angelica’s sake. I have to be able to tell her without even a hint of subterfuge that I did everything I could to keep her and her sister safe.
I stride out and up the stairs, my blood heating the closer I get to our bedroom. When I swing open the door, I have to stop, my lips quirking up in an unbidden smile.
“Aren’t you just the sweetest little devil.” Angelica rubs Diablo’s tummy while he digs his claws into the air as if he’s making invisible biscuits. “You are. You haven’t been spoiled enough. That mean old Antonio doesn’t give you all the love you deserve.” She nuzzles his cheek, his purr reverberating through the room.
I’m not jealous of my cat. That would be stupid. Not jealous at all. I bounce onto the bed, startling Angelica and Diablo and sending the latter skittering off the bed and into the hallway.
“Hey!” She sits up, her brows drawing together. “We were busy play–”
I tackle her to the mattress and kiss her hard. “I’ve got something you can play with.”
She giggles and runs her fingers through my hair. “You’ve been gone forever.”
“I agree.” I settle between her thighs, her body clothed in nothing but a T-shirt and panties. I want to strip them off with my teeth.
“What’s going on?” She presses her hand to my cheek.