No matter how damn hard I tried.
Having been approached by the FBI a year into my stint as an associate for the mob, I’d seen it as a breaking point and my salvation. Considering it was an opportunity for me to start over and right a lot of the wrongs I’d made, I jumped at the chance, without a backwards glance.
Trying to bring down the mob doesn’t change me turning a blind eye to the people being roughed up and the screams that echoed when people were served electric shocks, had their nails ripped off and the endless gun shots that never seemed to end.
But it did give me a chance to bring them to their knees, and working with the FBI meant leveling the playing field. While the FBI’s betrayal still stung, I know I can’t make the mob pay without them.
Most importantly, I can’t help keep Simone safe.
She is the only family I have, and sheisn’tgoing to pay formysins.
“I was going to get out when the FBI approached,” I finish, in a quieter voice. “And the rest is history.”
Simone stirs and stands up. She bridges the distance between us and pulls me into a hug.
I freeze, unsure of what to do until a swell of emotion rises in the center of my chest. I meet Matthews’s gaze, and he looks just as surprised, if not a little impressed, as I do.
Suddenly, I am hugging Simone back, relief and warmth flooding through me. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Bennett drift closer.
“Thank you for telling us,” he says. “We consider you family, Jen, and whatever you decide to do, we’ll be there to back you up.”
When Simone pulls away, I clear my throat and square my shoulders. “I’m not going to do this unlessyou’reokay with it.Allof you. It’s as much my decision as it is the Slades’. Because if I decide to do this, Travis will make it his personal mission to makeallof us pay...I’m not going to put the people I care about in danger. Not again.”
Because Travis is the type of person who would destroy everyone just because he wanted to.
With the mob’s resources, he could do whatever he wanted, and as things stand, I am the only one who can stop him.
“I’ll call everyone up and ensure we’ll meet here tomorrow,” Bennett ascertains. “We can reach a joint decision then.”
A short while later, Matthew and I make our way to the front door. In the car, I lean my head against the cool glass and watch the world outside, bathed in hues of pink and purple.
Matthew parks the car in the garage beneath my building.
“I’ll walk you upstairs and make sure everything is okay.”
“I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
He looks at me and raises an eyebrow. “Yeah, you look like you can take on the world.”
“Fine, have it your way,” I reply. I am tired, not really in the mood, but a part of me is happy he’s doing this.
We take the elevator up to my floor and make our way to my apartment. I shove the door open, and my breath quickens when Matthew shifts, so he is pressed against my back. For a second I can imagine his arms reaching around me and pulling me close, lips scraping at my nape.
“Do you mind if I do a quick sweep before I leave?”
The hairs on the back of my neck rise as I hold myself still and nod.
I watch as Matthew does a quick search of the apartment, looking back at me and making sure I was still at the door before searching the rooms down the hall. I want to tell him that I can do this myself, but seeing him take charge does make me feel safer. He returns, sheathes his gun and gives me a quick nod. “Everything looks good.”
“Thanks,” I say. “I really appreciate it.”
He just shrugs.
“Where are you going to be staying?”
Matthew runs a hand through his hair. “I’m not sure yet.”
“The couch is a pullout. You're welcome to stay here. I’ve got extra sheets in the linen closet.” I kick the door shut behind me and ignore the low thrum of excitement pulsing through me. “This doesn’t mean anything though.”