I’ve been fucking a mobster.
I’m literally in bed with the mob.
First, an MC, now the Irish Mob? What a goddamn collection. But the Disciples arefriends. The mob… not so much.
“Cindy?” Eve’s voice jerks me from my mushrooming anxiety. The air around me is practically nuclear with the toxic levels of panic I’m exuding.
“He’s going to kill me.” I just don’t know if I mean my father or this Aidan O’Donnelly guy. “Eve, I’m dead.”
As the full magnitude of what has just been unveiled to me resonates, I start to walk down the crowded street, needing to keep moving or I don’t know what I might do. This nervous energy needs to burn off because it’s making me even antsier.
“He isn’t going to kill you. You haven’t done anything wrong.” She hesitates then clears her throat. “Have you? You didn’t rob a fucking bank or anything while you’ve been loved up with that loser?”
Before I can growl out a negative, someone yells, “Isabelle? Jesus, wait up.” I spin on my heel, seeing Kitty running to me dressed in black workout gear. She grabs my arm and demands, “What’s going on? You look like shit! Are you all right?”
I swallow as Eve grumbles in my ear, “Who is that?”
Ignoring her, I ask Kitty, “Is Cade in the mob?”
Kitty’s eyes flare wide, then she takes an involuntary step back.
“Is he?” I demand.
Her lips part, and for the first time since I’ve met her, Kitty, ever confident, ever loudmouthed, hesitates.
“Is Cade in the mob?” I scream at her, just needing confirmation.
She jerks my arm. “Are you trying to get us arrested?”
“Jesus, warn a girl before you start screaming, Cindy,” Eve complains, but I ignore her and take in my surroundings.
I’m at the center of everyone’s attention. I’m literally starring in my own show and the sidewalk is my stage.
“We need to get you back to the house—”
“Don’t touch me,” I snap. “I’m not the only one whose got connections. T-They’ll come for me. They won’t let you hurt me.”
“Listen, Belle, you really need to calm down and talk to Cade.” She holds up her hands like I have a gun pointed at her. “He’s an asshole but he’s a great guy. I’m sure he didn’t mean to upset you.”
I bark out a hysterical laugh. “You think we had an argument?”
“Didn’t you?”
“Who the fuck is that?” Eve snaps.
“It’s Cade’s sister.” I turn my back on Kitty so I can focus on Eve. “I-I met his family.”
“You met his family?” That revelation triggers mutters in the background. But Eve grumbles, “Well, she gave you your answer. She didn’t deny it.”
She hadn’t.
“Come on, Belle. Cade will make things right.”
“He’s the one who made things wrong,” I half-sob.
“You said he loves you, Cindy. You need to think about what could happen if the Disciples go to war with the Five Points. It’d be a blood bath… and I’m not going to let that happen.” The finality in Eve’s voice hits me hard.
All I hear is—I’m not worth fighting for.