Page 40 of Dirty Legacy

That word strikes me in the chest. I step back, falling down to sit on the edge of the couch. Marcus is smiling at me thoughtfully, while Deck looks furious, his pale skin turning an unhealthy pink.

“I’m aware of what I’ve done, cousin.” Connor’s tone is pure blackness. He steps toward Deck menacingly. “But that woman is pregnant with my child, and as much as you don’t like it, you will accept what I’ve done. I will fix things with the Whelans. I will handle the Gallaghers. This family has endured worse and it will continue to flourish.”

“Well, fuck me in the mouth,” Marcus says brightly. “You’re going to be a father on top of all this?”

Deck’s jaw works. He scrubs a hand through his hair. “I’ve been saying you’re too free with that cock of yours. You need to learn⁠—“

Connor moves fast. He takes three strides forward and slams a fist straight into Deck’s guts before the older man can move to block it. Deck doubles over with a grunt and Connor drives him back into the wall. The house shakes horribly. I cover my mouth to stifle a scream. Marcus’s grin gets bigger like it’s the most amusing thing he’s ever seen.

“Listen to me now, cousin. I understand you are upset. That’s the only reason you aren’t dead. But you will not speak about your boss, or your boss’s wife, with such open disrespect in the future. Do you understand?”

There’s a tense moment. Deck’s eyes are wild and I think he’s going to fight back. But after a beat, he slumps and nods. “You’re right. I crossed the line. I apologize.”

Connor releases him and steps back. “Both of you, leave us. Deck, you need to gather our strength. We’re setting up here in the mansion. This is home base now. Bring as many men as you can. They stay in shifts, full arms, understood?”

“Yes, boss. I’ll get it done.” Deck grunts, turns, and pauses. “You still have one hell of a right hand, Connor.”

“Learned it from the best.”

Deck strides off. Connor watches him go warily, and I jump when Marcus speaks. He’s standing closer to me now, head cocked thoughtfully.

“She’s really not in the life?”

“Not even a little bit.” Connor turns back to us. He rubs his knuckles slowly. “The house needs staff. You’re in charge of vetting them. And my family needs to arrive here discreetly before the Gallaghers know what happened.”

Marcus leans in closer to me, not responding to Connor. “You’re on the far side of the looking glass now. I don’t envy you one bit.”

“Now, Marcus,” Connor says sharply.

Marcus smiles at me, winks, and turns away. “Yes, sir, boss, sir.” He salutes lazily. “No need to punch me. That’s Deck’s thing. Pretty sure he gets off on it.”

“For fuck’s sake, don’t talk about Deck and getting off.”

“He’s hard as hell right now. That man loves getting punched.”

“Careful.”

Marcus claps Connor on the shoulder. “She’s beautiful, brother. I only hope she’s worth it.”

Connor holds his eyes grimly. “She is.”

There’s another tense beat between the men before Marcus leaves the room.

Silence descends. The doors are still open, but they might as well be bolted shut and rimmed in steel. There’s no getting out of here, not anymore, and I can see it now.

Connor paces over to the bed and sits on the edge. He slumps forward, looking down. His phone dangles in his hand as he eases open his collar.

I approach tentatively. He doesn’t look up like he doesn’t know I’m still here.

“I think I know what you are,” I say, smoothing my shirt for something to do with my hands.

“What’s that?” he asks wearily.

“You’re mafia, aren’t you?”

That gets a very small laugh. “Mafia is Italian, but yes, that’s close enough. My family comes from a very, very long line of criminals, petty thieves, murderers, and arsonists. I’m the latest in a steady flow of monsters, my angel, and you’re in my world now.” His eyes are dark and heavy when he looks up. “You will learn to obey. You will survive this, I promise, and when it’s over I’ll give you a good life as my wife. Our child will be happy and comfortable. This I swear to you.”

“But what about my mom? I need to call her and tell her what’s going on.”