“Yeah, I just need to talk to Andre before I forget,” I call to her as I go.
I step into the house, and a man I don’t know that I’ve ever met steps into my path, yet he looks familiar to me.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t aware that we had guests,” I state, stepping away from him.
The man's smile is malicious. “I’m aware you didn’t know. I’ve been moving around, in and out of your home for months, waiting and watching for the perfect moment to take everything from these dumb motherfuckers.”
I want to run or scream, but I don’t know what he would do if I tried, and I must think about the baby right now.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t think we’ve met. Would you mind telling me who you are?” I make sure my tone is patient and soothing.
“Unfortunately for you, dear, truly, you’ve gotten caught in the middle of something that has nothing to do with you other than you’re attached to the puppet master,” the furious man says sincerely.
“I see. So, what's the plan now?” I ask him.
He reaches out, grabbing my arm and dragging me into the sitting room, where the furniture has already been moved around. “You see, when Andre and the rest of the fucking Italians started showing interest in my security and logistics companies, I saw opportunities to grow and make a shit ton more money. My son, my precious confused baby, fell in love with a stupid skank who didn’t want to give him the time of day. Can you guess who that was?”
“Loretta?” I question.
He beams at me. “See, I knew you were smart. Anyway, she didn’t think he was good enough for her and would lead him on and then turn him down. She played the victim so well she convinced the dumb motherfuckers Andre and Vito that he was stalking her. No, she was a fucking cocktease like all the rest of the women who would treat him that way. We were so close to making the biggest deal of my life. We’re talking money that would set me up for the rest of my life.”
“Your son sounds like a good man. It is really sad that women take advantage of kind men like that.” The words taste like acid as they come out of my mouth.
The man comes over to me, runs a finger down the side of my face, looking thoughtful, and then he slaps me. “You didn’t know him, so do not talk to me like you did.”
He turns away from me and goes to the window. Looking out, he pulls a gun from under his shirt before he talks again. “Anyway, what else was I supposed to do when the man in charge ofwriting the checks calls and gives two very bad options? One, throw away my future or two, let them do away with your son. So, I chose my future.”
“Oh.” My heart sinks because I now know who this man is.
“And there it is. You now understand what's happening here.” He smirks, waving me over with the gun. “You see, after I made the choice, do you know what happened? They pushed me out of my company. So now I’m going to make Andre choose you and his baby or his own life.”
I look around the room for anything to help me. Not finding anything, I make my way over to him.
“Andre isn’t in the house right now. He and Bryce are out on the other side of the property. It’s going to be nearly dark before they get back,” I tell him honestly.
“We’ll just need to find a way to entice him back to the house, won’t we?” He sits down and pulls me down onto his lap.
He moves the chair into a position that makes sure there isn’t a way for someone to get the drop on him. I shift trying to get comfortable when the front door opens and closes. Vito walks past us, not even looking in our direction. The man behind me whistles to get his attention. Vito stops walking and turns to face us. His face grows dark, and the man that everyone fears is staring back at me.
“Tinsley, what’s going on here?” His voice is tense.
“It seems we have a very angry guest, and he wants to make a deal with you,” I say sweetly.
“I see.” Vito leans onto the door frame, portraying a lack of care. “Martin Davis, why don’t you come to my office, and we can talk about what we can do to ease your pain.”
“You’re not in charge this time, Vito. We’re doing this my way.” Martin snaps, pressing his gun a little harder into my belly.
Unable to swallow it completely, a whimper slips past my lips. Vito doesn't seem to react to this.
“Decide, Vito. Are you going to sacrifice yourself or do I take Andre’s woman and child?” Martin screams.
Vito stands tall with his arms out wide. “Martin, you should know by now that we’ll always lay down our lives for our women and children.”
“That’s why you’re all so easy to kill.” Martin smirks, pointing his gun at Vito.
“Tinsley, can you do me a favor?” Vito asks, his eyes harder than anything I’ve ever seen before. “Tell Loretta that it was worth it, and I love her.”
Tears are racing down my face as I shake my head. “I can’t let you do this, Vito.”
