“Oh, Collins doesn’t know,” he spits, gurgling on his words. I hold tighter. “Afraid she’ll never accept you?”
“Afraid I might snap your neck?” I lean into his face. “It’s a very real possibility. You went after my future wife. You fucked with my family. I should end you. Right here. Right now.”
“And, what?” He smirks, cheeks turning purple. “Start a war? Aren’t you supposed to be off my territory, brokered by your bitch?”
That’s it. I’m killing him. Maeve will forgive me.
“Hayes,” a soft voice says to my left.
I freeze. I know that voice. Growing up in this house, I didn’t have much to live for. I didn’t see the sun, I didn’t have a loving mother. But I did have Valentina, my younger sister.
Born after Julian, she was my only friend. With big hazel eyes and thick dark hair, she looked more like me than not. She was sunshine in physical form, but could turn deadly when angered. There were times she’d fight men who came to see me. I agonized about leaving her when I escaped, but so far, she had never been touched. As the only daughter, Senior kept her away from the family business and doted on her.
If I took her, I would be asking for more trouble than if I slinked off into the shadows, alone. I’ve regretted my choice every day since.
Val stands in the foyer, dressed in a simple black dress, her hair long, her nails painted a shade darker than blood. Those hazel eyes are rimmed in kohl, but she looks drawn and tired.
I drop Roman to the ground and kick him in the ribs. Something cracks and I take immense glee in that.
Val grabs my face, touching my beard and cheek, memorizing me. I do the same. She has a small scar on her eyebrow now and she’s thin—toothin. Do they feed her? Or does her stubbornness prevent her from giving in?
“You grew up,” she signs. Valentina, though beautiful, was born hearing impaired. She could read lips and with therapy had learned to speak, though it was easier to sign.
She taught me ASL when she would sneak into my room and keep me company.
Smiling sadly, I sign, “So did you.” It’s the first time I’ve seen her since I left. I couldn’t contact her because of Maeve’s agreement.
One I just blew up with this stunt.
I trace her brows, her Roman nose. “Are you alright?”
She nods into my chest but we both know she’s lying. There’s too much to say and not enough time.
Roman stands, coughing and mutters, “I should shoot you for attacking me.”
“I’ve seen your aim. I’m in no danger even if you tried.”
He curses me in Italian. His pronunciation is wrong. “You have a smart mouth for a guy used to being on his knees for other men.”
My fist collides with his face before I fully consider my actions. The pop of his nose, the feel of his teeth cutting my knuckles thrills me, humming in my blood. Nerves fire and I feel powerful—alive. He falls to the ground and red mars the perfectly clean tile.
“You have a weak jaw,” I say, smiling. Flexing my knuckles, I keep Val at my back. “I only get on my knees for my wife. Never you. Touch her again and I’ll make good on my threat. I’ll end you and make it horribly painful. And we both know, you can’t fucking stomach that.”
Val holds on to my arm and we share a look.
“And if you touch one hair onherhead, I’ll be back, consequences be damned.” I throw him a smug look. “You should be nice to her. One day, she’ll rule this family and you’ll be begging her for leniency.”
I place a soft kiss on her forehead and sign that I love her. She smiles, eyes watery but she doesn’t cry. She’s too tough for that. I still wish I could take her out of this life—this home, but too many things are happening. I wouldn’t be able to protect her and Collins.
And Collins comes first.
“I’ll be back,” I promise.
She nods, saying, “I know.”
I get to the door, before Roman yells out, “She killed our brother. Still, you go back to her?”
“Yourbrother,” I remind him. “And he shouldn’t have killed a kid.”
