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He leans in to slap me again, but I hold my hands up.

“I’m honestly asking because he’s never told me this story. I had no idea why you’re at odds. And why you’d have any interest in hurting me, then or now.”

“He was my best friend, and when my father died and left him money, he decided he didn’t like my ethics. Which is rich, given that your husband kills people for a fucking living.”

“And you steal them,” I remind him and earn another knock across the face, making me see stars and go dizzy for a second. “Jesus, you have to stop that.”

“He owes everything to me! He doesn’t get to rule this city, have the wealth he has, and living happily fucking ever after. Fuck that.”

“You’re jealous.”

“I’m pissed!” he counters. “And I want him to pay.”

“I’m pretty sure the feeling’s mutual, to be honest. Because you took me once, and he wasn’t able to kill you. Now? I can’t even begin to guess what he’ll do to you.”

Damien smiles, smooths his hands down his jacket, and seems to steady himself.

“He won’t do anything at all. I’m going to kill him, just like I did the other three during the night, and then with you by my side, and with Charlie as my heir, I’ll rule this city and earn my spot at the top amongst the rest of the families in the country.”

I blink at him and shake my head.

“I don’t believe you. You made me believe that you’d killed Rome, Mateo, and Julian before, and that was a big fat lie. You know what they say: Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, you’re a piece of shit. Or something like that.”

Boy, I really need to rein in the sass, but I’m so fucking nervous, I can’t.

He’s turning red from pure rage, and I know I’m gonna get hit again.

“But also, I’m never going to be by your side, and my son is absolutely not your heir. You’re delulu if you honestly think any of that is going to happen.”

This time, he points the gun at my head and kicks a chair behind my knees.

“Sit the fuck down.”

Forty-Eight

CARSON

It’s been six hours since Bacon called, and we have absolutely no fucking idea where my wife is.

And I’m about to come out of my skin with worry and fear, and Jesus.

We’ve all assembled at my house. All the brothers, their wives, baby Sabrina, everyone. We’ve safer together, and between the four of us, we have an army surrounding the property. Mildred is with the girls in the kitchen, making food and chatting with them, but every time I walk past, the older woman’s eyes cling to me with hope that I have news about Rina.

And I always shake my head.

Charlie is with the women, cooing at Sabrina, who’s lying in a baby carrier on the countertop.

If my wife were here, it would be the perfect day with our family.

Instead, it’s a living nightmare.

I needed to get eyes on my boy for a minute because I haven’t seen him in almost an hour. That’s how it’s been all day since I got here and found him safe and sound with Mildred. If he’s out of my sight for too long, I have the undeniable need to chase him down.

He thinks Rina’s at work.

But his blue eyes are wide and watchful, and I know my boy isn’t stupid. He understands that something is going on.

“Dad,” Charlie says and climbs off the stool to run over to me. I simply lift him up so he’s eye level with me. “Mom says I’m too big to pick up.”