“You think he doesn’t clean up our messes on a regular basis?” I counter.
I’m starting to become annoyed by where this conversation is headed.
Moretti loves to act like he’s a class above the rest of us, but if he had the resources to wipe us out, he would have done it by now.
“You can do what you’d like,” I say because I already know that he’s going to, no matter what I have to say. If I push him too hard, he’ll likely act out of spite. “But I wouldn’t start shit with Wilder over an outsider. It’s not like you’re strapped for cash. Unless your circumstances have changed, and I failed to notice.”
Moretti laughs. “I forgot what a dick you are when you want to be. Anyway, thanks for your time, Patrick.”
And with that, he hangs up.
There’s no way around it; I’m going to have to call Wilder. He needs to know Moretti might flip on him for a payday. Not to mention, he needs to know the men Grim killed are confirmed affiliated with some organization.
Which one?
I have no idea, but Callum’s and Grim’s suspicions have been proven correct after speaking to Moretti. It’s no longer a possibility. Those guys have friends, and they’re pissed.
I’m just making a cup of coffee and browsing the breakfast left on the stove when Charlotte bolts into the kitchen from the back stairs. Her hair is a tangled mess, and her cheeks are pink. She’s in a thin sleep shirt and pajama pants. With the way her chest heaves, I can see not only the outline of her nipples but also the curve of both breasts.
Shit.
She must have woken up, noticed her son was missing, and panicked, running downstairs before she even thought to change out of her pajamas.
“Where is my kid? I woke up and he was gone.” Her tone is frantic as her eyes rake over my face.
Oh yeah, she definitely got lost on her way downstairs.
This place is a maze.
Who the fuck knows why, but I put my coffee down on the counter and step over in front of her.
My fingers brush her cheek as I push her hair behind her ear. “He’s fine. Very well entertained by my little brother and a super-size container of building blocks. They’re the giant ones. No need to worry about him choking. They’re in the living room. How did you sleep?”
“I had some trouble falling asleep. Once I did…” She swallows thickly, shaking her head. “It wasn’t good rest. At least, not until a couple hours ago. I can’t believe I slept so late. Is it really nine-thirty?”
“It is, but you clearly needed the sleep.” Her sweet cherry and lime scent is everywhere, and I’m finding it difficult to keep my eyes on hers. She’s stacked with delicious curves, and I’m more than fond of her scent.
She’s also shacked up in our home.
That means she’s going to be around Malachy.
I can only hope that having her pheromones so close will help his condition. I also wouldn’t complain if she could show my brother that there are options outside of Vanessa Chapman. It seems like he’s finally realizing that, but his sense of obligation to our fathers runs deep.
Fuck if I know why.
They failed to honor their marriage vows not once buttwice.
What Wilder said in his office stuck with me.
Vanessa doesn’t want this union either.
Marriages are already hard enough when all parties like each other. I don’t even want to think about how miserable life would be if she went out of her way to torment us in retribution for going through with the contract.
“What I need is to plan what I’m doing and where I’m heading after I leave here,” she whispers, grimacing.
I’m not shocked.
I figured she would try to run the second our backs were turned.
