Somehow, I’m pretty sure I’ve been dismissed.
Chapter 9
Mateo Ricci
“Teo!” Raoul calls out as I make my way to the boxing ring where he and Dario are sparring. My brother looks up and watches me silently as I walk over to join them. I drop my bag, sling my towel over a rail and clamber through the ropes to reach them.
“You’re looking good,” Raoul goes on. “Got a certain ‘glow’ about you. Been getting yourself some pussy action?”
I raise my eyebrow. “Good to see you too, Raoul,” I reply. Dario still hasn’t said anything, but as I reach them, he steps up and pulls me into a “bro” hug, slapping my back. It’s not a declaration of affection, but for Dario Caraldi, it’s a big gesture.
“Glad you’re back,” he says brusquely. “You got the woman home safely?”
I give a nod. “All good,” I say. Raoul gives a filthy chuckle.
“Why do I get the feeling there’s more to this story?” he asks before pulling me in for a similar embrace to the one I just received from our brother.
“I…uh…” I fumble the words. Dammit. Now it’ll be out for sure. “I’m marrying Andrea Carter,” I blurt. There’s a stunned silence as the pair of them gawp at me.
“You’re what?” Dario chokes out.
“No way!” Raoul shouts with laughter. “Andy? You’re fucking marrying Doctor Andy?” He shakes his head and laughs harder.
“Fuck off, Raoul,” I mutter. “The wedding’s in three weeks. This is serious.”
“I’ll say,” Dario agrees, though he’s grinning too. “How the fuck did that happen, bro?”
Bro…he called me bro.
I give a rueful grin. “It kind of worked out that way,” I admit.
“Really?” Raoul says. The fucker’s still laughing. “How the hell did it just work out that way? Like an accidental proposal? Did you slip and fall and accidentally fuck her too?”
I set my jaw.
“Holy shit. You fucked her too!” Raoul is now laughing so hard that he’s clutching his belly. “Jesus, ‘Teo! You take off two days to rescue the chick, and you come back engaged? That must be some magical quim she’s got between those beautiful legs.”
“Hey!” I bark, snapping out a hand and grabbing him by the throat. “You don’t talk like that!”
Raoul raises his palms and clamps his mouth shut, though, from the way he narrows his eyes on me, I sense him readying for a takedown.
“Quit it! Both of you!” Dario interrupts us. “Show some respect, kid,” he says to Raoul.” Then he turns to me. “I think an explanation might be in order.”
I release Raoul and slap a hand on his shoulder in silent apology. Can’t understand why I’d get such a strong urge to knock his block off. But whatever.
“There’s some bullshit going down with her family,” I begin. “The fuckers who abducted her took her to Whitlock’s place.”
“Mark Whitlock?” Dario’s eyes widen.
“One and the same,” I say. “Seems Andy’s old man is Broderick Carter. And he’s been involved in some dirty deals with Whitlock and his bunch.”
“Jesus Christ!” says Raoul. “That fucker is bad news.”
“The worst,” I acknowledge. Mark Whitlock has been undermining Caraldi business for as long as I can remember. And it all probably began even before I got in with Dario’s team. I see him shaking his head in disbelief now.
“Unbelievable,” he mutters. “And how does Andy fit into this shitshow?”
“Carter offered her up to Whitlock to pay some kind of debt,” I tell him. “I got intel from Reed that they’re looking to take him out as a way to get a handle on Whitlock’s operation.”
