“You have contacts in the government too,” Kieran concluded.
Gio inclined his head. “Don’t seem so surprised. You, of all people, should know just how corruptible the incorrupt are.”
“My patience wears thin,” Enzo snapped from inside the fish store. “This place is a dump.”
Gio glanced at me. “Things get bloody when Enzo gets impatient.”
“Now!” He snapped.
Amused, Gio disappeared inside, and we followed.
At the threshold, Kieran turned, eyes searching mine. “Are you ready for this?”
Ready or not, it was here. And I wasn’t going to run away.
“Will you hold my hand?” I asked, stretching it out.
Kieran’s lips rolled inward, and he took it, enclosing it in his. I knew it didn’t matter if the Salvatore brothers accepted or denied me because I’d already found my home.
“I’m ready,” I whispered.
CHAPTER
THIRTY-FOUR
Kieran
A week ago, I was single and ready to mingle.
Fine, I wasn’t ready to mingle. I hated mingling. That’s not the point. The point is that Icouldif I wanted to.
I could eat dinner and enjoy a glass of wine while hearing my own thoughts. Pick up and leave town at the drop of a hat. I answered to no one. My condo was spotless.
If I had the urge to fuck, I’d do it and then go back home to the bed I had all to myself.
And now?
Now the me from a week ago would be horrified at myself.
No longer single. Completely attached. A father to fish, for chrissakes! I couldn’t simply make a nice meal to enjoy in silence. Now I had to worry if it was nutritionally sound enough to keep someone alive. And forget silence. Hazard talked so much even his echo got tired.
I couldn’t even leave the house without someone snooping around and giving their finds ridiculous names. Who called an artillery supply amurdercabinet? There was a barstool in my living room. Dirt and water on the floor. All my shirts neededwashed, and his underwear was loud. Not to mention the vile habits of chewing his own nails and kicking me in his sleep.
Even worse?
I was now in bed with the mob.
Remember what I said about not shitting where you sleep?
I should be embarrassed.
“Do you think Ghost is okay?” Haz asked as we approached the condo door.
“He’s fine.”
I felt his attention from the corners of his eyes. “Aren’t you even worried about him at all?”
I grunted. Truth was I wasn’t worried about Ghost. I knew he was fine. He’d survived a hell of a lot worse.
