“What’s wrong?”
I pace the length of the room, fist tightening at my side.
“There’s a man named Giovanni Russo,” I say.“He showed up at my mother-in-law’s house?—”
“Your what?”
“Long story,” I snap.“Focus.”
Remy chuckles once.“Alright, alright.Continue.”
“He claims to be the father of my niece.My wife’s late sister’s kid.This prick has a lawyer.Paperwork.He’s trying to get temporary custody.”
Remy exhales slowly.“And what do you want from me, Thorn?A background check?Pressure?Someone to pay him a visit and make him reconsider life choices?”
“Everything.All of it,” I bite out.
Then quieter, darker.
“I want this threat fucking gone.”
He’s silent for a beat, and when he speaks again, his voice is deadly calm.
“If this man is dangerous, we’ll neutralize the problem.But I need to know, what are you asking for?Protection?Surveillance?Or something a little more decisive?”
My pulse hammers.
Decisive.
I’d burn the world for her.
I’d level everything for Bella.
But I’m not stupid enough to say that out loud.
“Start with intel,” I say.“I want to know who he is.Where he comes from.Who he works for.His finances.His skeletons.Everything.”
“And after intel?”
“After intel, I want him nowhere near my wife or my niece.Ever.”
Remy lets out a low whistle.“Man, when you fall, you fucking plummet.From winning awards and making platinum records to married and making death threats in just a couple of days?Who even are you?”
I drag a hand over my face.
“Can you handle this or not?”
He sobers immediately.
“Consider it done.I’ll send a team.Russo won’t sneeze without us knowing.”
“Good.”
“And Thorn?”he adds, quieter.“Try telling your wife how you feel before you bulldoze the world for her.Women tend to like that shit.”
I hang up before he can say anything else.
Because he’s right.
