“Calm yourself.You are the one who showed up with eight men.There are only four of us here.”I continue when he sits back down, “Now, let’s discuss your maneuvers in the future.”
“My maneuvers?”His eyes go wide, filled with uncertainty.
“Yes.You see, the things you were trying to pull with Nico Moretti, it leaves a sour taste in my mouth.”We were able to connect with the Jersey man, and he was amused by Vincent’s offer to buy him out as well.“You need to learn that you can’t just throw money at things you wish to have; you must earn them.”
It finally dawns on Vincent how monumentally he fucked up with me now and retorts with, “Everyone has a price.”He clears the wobble from his throat and shoves his shaking hands into his pockets again.
“Perhaps, some do.I don’t.You, however, are going to pay it.”A satisfied grin finally crosses my face.
“What does that mean?”His men begin to see the light as they witness their boss unravel.
“You’ll find out soon enough.Don’t contact me again, Vincent.Any business we’ve had together is dissolved now.”Panic bulges his eyes.“Carter O’Neill, Nico Moretti, and Johnny Torrio send their regards but wish for no more contact as well.This will be your final warning.”
Sputtering, Vincent looks around the room, meeting every man’s gaze he can before straightening up and snarling, “And what about Noa Carmichael?Should she be left alone as well?”
If not for my twenty-plus years of concealing my emotions, I don’t know that I’d be able to keep my cool.He’s threatening my woman, my child, and her children by even mentioning her name.If not for the planned raid, thanks to some well-placed men in the police department, I’d kill Vincent where he stands and sleep like a baby tonight.However, my own plans prevent me from doing so in order to keep a low profile.
Instead of planting a bullet in his chest and two in his skull, I school my features and look him square in the eye as I say, “The last man who tried to play games with me hasn’t been found in a decade.”Giving Malice a signal, he and Holy herd all three men out of my office before another word is said.
“I’m on it,” Jermaine comments before I can ask for security to be placed at Noa’s school, the kids’ school, and their apartment.
“If she knows she’s in danger because of me, I’ll never get her to move in here.”Groaning, I drop into my chair now that we’re alone.“I’m too old for this shit.”
“What about the girls?”Jer asks.
A bark of laughter escapes me.“Malice has Odette and Finn covered.I’ll speak with Aura this evening, and CJ will do as she always does and give them the slip.”My daughters are all just like their mother, stubborn as hell.
“So, tell their details to be discreet?”He knows me so well.I nod, realizing I’ll catch hell from my daughters, but I’d rather they be safe than dead, even if they’re angry.“Could always get Nico on CJ,” Jer offers.“He’s had eyes on her for a few years now.”
“Fuck no.”The man runs more brothels than any other organization in the country.She doesn’t need to be anywhere near that.
Shooting my friend a glare, he smirks and says, “You know he doesn’t sleep with the girls, right?”
“I don’t give a fuck.”She’s doing things with her life.She doesn’t need the added complication of having so many women around her man and fucking up her life.“Who do we have in prison?”
The minute Vincent is behind bars, he’s dead for making any kind of threat towards my woman.No fucking chance he’ll live out the week.
CHAPTER8
Noa
Much of this pregnancy has been smooth sailing.Rare morning sickness, no heartburn, only mild cravings, and the aches and pains had begun, but nothing too terrible.This morning, however, I woke up feeling as if I’d been thrown into a food processor and just looking at anything edible makes me vomit.
I take my daily vitamins, ensure I eat and drink properly, but now I’d like to curl up into a ball and sleep until I reach the end.My back kills me, my hips feel like they’re grinding every time I move, and I’m fairly certain this baby is chewing on my ribs.Between the pain and lack of sleep last night, I’m seriously debating whether to cancel dinner with Carmine tonight.Which just might kill me too, because the kids have been so excited to go and deserve a night out.
Closing my eyes as I lean back in my chair in the front office, I try some breathing exercises my doctor showed me at my last visit when I’m interrupted.
“Well, I suppose we know who the father is now.”Erin Tuckwood’s snide comment doesn’t affect me the way he’d like.
“You know what making assumptions gets you,” I reply, continuing to count my breaths while rubbing a hand in circles on my belly as he processes my comment.
“Excuse me?”He sounds perplexed.
“Assuming things makes an ass out of you and me, and since I’m not an ass, I don’t appreciate you commenting on anything about my personal life.”Spearing him with a side eye, I spot the annoyance in his gaze before his jaw clenches, and he spins around to storm off.
Any other day, I’d be amused; today, I just want to forget about him.He’s an obnoxious ass who throws tantrums that could rival Emma’s when she’s in a mood.
The final bell of the day blares through the school, startling me from my attempt at relaxation and tensing up my entire body again.I hate disappointing the kids, especially if I’m reading Carmine right, and he is trying to bond with them, but I just can’t go out tonight.I need a warm bath steeped with lavender Epsom salts, followed by chamomile tea to hopefully help ease me into sleep.If I’m not feeling better by the morning, I’ll make an appointment with my doctor.
