“I’ll do it.” Cristian seems very keen to push me aside.
“That won’t be necessary.” I glare at my oldest friend. “I’m perfectly capable of doing my job and protecting Gia.”
Massimo stabs me with a look. “This is bigger than all of us, Joshua. We’re already at a disadvantage, and we can’t afford tofall further behind. If this is a problem, you need to tell us now. No one will fault you if you need to step aside. I know I’d feel compromised if it was the woman I love.”
My natural instinct is to deny I’m in love with her, but who the fuck am I kidding? I’m already halfway there, at least. So, I say nothing. I didn’t think it was possible, but Caleb’s grin is even wider. If he keeps this up, it’ll split his face in two. I level him with a cool look. “Shut up.”
“I didn’t say a word,” he teases, waggling his brows.
I return my focus to Massimo. “I’m a professional, and I’m fully invested in keeping Gia safe and finding these pricks who think they can stroll in and steal our turf from under us. If anything changes, I give you my word I’ll talk to you immediately.”
Massimo stares at me for a few tense beats. “Okay.”
“There’s something else Gia heard that’s concerning and requires discussion,” Ben says.
“Whatboythey were talking about.” Massimo rubs at a spot between his brows.
Tension bleeds into the air again. “Whoever it was, it seems like the attempt was foiled, and Liam warned him about taking matters into their own hands, so I don’t think they’ll try it again,” I say.
“That isn’t much consolation,” Massimo says.
“We know this is about us, so I think it’s safe to assume the ‘boy’ could be any number of our sons or close relatives.” Ben’s expression is grave, and he’s no doubt thinking of Rowan and Rhys.
“It could mean the twins or me,” Cristian says. “We’re still regarded as ‘boys’ by many of the older generation.”
“Let those motherfuckers try to take any of us out and see what happens,” Caleb snarls.
“We need to assign extra protection to our families,” I suggest. “At least until we know more.”
“Agreed,” Fiero says. “You should assign some to yourselves too.”
“No thanks,” Caleb says. “I can protect myself.”
“We’ll be more vigilant, and we won’t take unnecessary risks.” I drill my brother with a look he ignores.
“Don’t compromise your safety foolishly,” Ben says. “For now, I agree you take precautions until we have more intel. If it becomes clear you’re targets, then youwillbe accepting a security detail.”
Caleb grumbles under his breath but doesn’t fight it. We know what Uncle Ben means. He’ll rope Mom in. She’ll freak and want us surrounded by tons of bodyguards, and we’ll concede because neither of us can ever deny her anything.
“We can’t stretch our men too thin. We’ve already sent a team to Cali, and we might need every man available in the coming weeks if this turns into war.” Massimo combs a hand through his hair.
“Use your security firm,” Cristian says. “This is what those men are trained for. Hire them to protect our families.”
“That’s a great idea and the perfect solution,” Massimo agrees, raising his eyes at Caleb. “Any objections?”
Caleb shakes his head. “My concerns were regarding officialmafiosobusiness. Protecting our families won’t expose them to too much, and it’s the logical decision.”
Leo stands. “I’ll get that set up right away. Unless you need me for anything else?” His gaze bounces between Ben and Massimo.
“You’re excused, Leo. Thanks for your help,” Massimo says.
“Let me know if I can do anything else.” He nods at Ben, Caleb, and me before exiting the room.
“Gia suggested we try and trap the rats in a lie.” I explain her plan.
“It’s smart,” Caleb says.
“It can’t hurt to try. Let’s do it,” Massimo agrees. “I’ll devise a different lie for eachfamigliaand pass it over to you by the end of the day. Feed it into your ranks, and let’s see what comes of it.”
