“What the fuck? I knew something else was going on.”
“Your intuition was right.”
“Well, that’s not going to end well,” Khia said with a sigh.
“I agree. A love triangle between cousins with Labria in the middle? Sounds like a recipe for disaster. I don’t know any man who would be okay with his ex being with his blood cousin.”
“I agree,” I said, appreciating her pragmatism. “I don’t see this little arrangement going well for anyone involved.”
“She was not like this in Chicago. I never met Lord. I don’t know what kind of man he is. I don’t want anything bad to happen to my sister,” Khia said, her voice dropping to a more serious tone. “She’s been through enough already.”
“I understand completely,” I assured her.
“Labria won’t tell me much about the Bregolis’. I just know you have some kind of family business, and you own a lot of stuff. I know y’all Italian and no offense, but y’all look and act like?—”
“Like the mafia?” I finished her thought. We both stood there looking at each other. I could see Khia thinking nervously as fear started to wrinkle her features.
“Khia.” I smiled widely in an afford to put her mind at ease. “Family is everything to me. Labria is family.”
“Is that why you’re here? To protect her?”
“Uh, in a way. I can’t control how Lord feels about your sister leaving, but I can make sure things don’t escalate unnecessarily.”
Khia studied me with those perceptive eyes. “Escalate— to what?”
“Lord and Maurizio, follow my orders.”
“They do.”
“Yes, because I’m their boss.” I didn’t elaborate. I didn’t need to.
“Are you sure?” She firmly asked. “Because I can’t make her come back to Chicago with me. She loves her job. She’s not going to come. I don’t want anything tragic happening to my sister. I’ve already lost too much.”
“Nothing will happen to your sister,” I promised.
Khia nodded, seemingly satisfied with my assurance. “You know, based on how Bria mentioned you? She made you seem scary.” She smiled slightly. “You’re not scary.”
I laughed at that, genuinely amused. “Many people would disagree with that assessment.”
Her eyes took on a knowing look. “Is that right?”
I stepped closer, lowering my voice slightly. “Yes, but I don’t think those people are around to give you a review of my character.”
Khia didn’t back away. She matched my gaze steadily. She paused. “The kind my sister got mixed up in when she met your brother.”
“You are perceptive,” I acknowledged. “But don’t be afraid? Labria is under my protection, and you can be too.”
“I’m not in danger.” She challenged.
I smiled, genuinely charmed by her boldness. “No, you’re not.”
Labria appeared around the corner. She was notably suspicious as she took in our close proximity. “Everything okay here?”
“Just getting to know your sister better.” I said smoothly while taking a step back.
“That can’t be good,” Labria muttered, shooting Khia a look.
I checked my watch, an excuse to end the conversation on my terms. “I should be going. I have meetings this afternoon.”
