Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 94915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
“That’s exactly why I decided now was a good time. I know how shit went down with us, and I know you two think I’m a traitor—”
“Only because you married a fucking Bianco and got Adam killed,” I say, practically snarling.
Ronan gives me a look. “Are you saying you’re trying to make up for your past mistakes?”
“I wouldn’t say marrying Laura was a mistake,” Marco says and quickly keeps talking before I can cut him off with a string of curses. “But I want to do something to make things right. I know I can’t bring back Adam, and I won’t ever win either of your trust back, but maybe I can do this one small thing.”
I glance up at Ronan. He’s got a deep frown and he’s slowly shaking his head. “What small thing?” he asks.
“I can mediate.”
I try not to laugh. “Fucking mediate? We need an army. Not a mediator.”
“I can talk to my brother-in-law. Explain to him your side of things. Maybe I can get him to decide that Dusan is the bigger threat to Chicago’s stability. Because that’s really what he cares about at the end of the day. If Chicago is stable, and business keeps on going, he’s happy to let things continue as they have been.”
“Funny, that’s not how you used to talk about the Biancos,” I remind him. “If I recall, you used to say that it was only a matter of time before they come destroy all of us.”
“I’ve gotten to know Simon better,” Marco says, tone softening. “I’m not saying he’s a soft man, but he definitely prioritizes business over anything else. I’m just saying, I’m willing to reach out to him on your behalf if you want me to send him a message.”
I look up at the ceiling. I hate the idea of relying on Marco in this situation, but I’m not sure we have a better option. I could go to Don Bianco myself, except that would expose me to whatever poison Pascal’s been dumping into his ear, and who knows what would happen then.
“Give us a second,” Ronan says and reaches out to tap the mute button. Once Marco can’t hear us anymore, he narrows his eyes at me. “If it helps at all, I believe him.”
“You’re buying this contrite act?”
“I think Marco believes he’s innocent, and he wants to try to make things right. But he’s also not dumb, and he knows the city is better off with us around. I think he’s being sincere.”
I grunt and lean back. I glance at Brianne, and she’s watching me carefully. She only knows pieces of what happened with Marco and the Biancos, and I don’t expect her to understand, but fuck, I still hate him for what happened. Adam was a good man and a good leader for his family, and he’s dead because of Marco, and that’s not something I can forgive.
But Marco’s not asking for that. He’s not even asking for absolution.
All he’s doing is offering a service.
Right now, with my back to the wall, I can’t turn down help. Not when I’m fighting for more than myself. If it were entirely up to me and my pride, I’d tell Marco to go fuck himself.
It’s not about me though. This is about my family, my men, my future, and my wife.
I need to win this war and come out the other side with Brianne by my side.
That means swallowing my pride and accepting help from a man I’d rather kill.
I tap the unmute button. “Alright, Marco, go talk to your brother.”
“Brother-in-law,” he mutters, correcting me. But I can practically hear his smile. It makes me sick. “How about this. Since you don’t trust me, I’ll set up a meeting. It’ll be on neutral ground, somewhere safe, and I’ll personally guarantee everything.”
“Yeah? Like you guaranteed Adam’s safety?” I say, tone dripping with anger.
But Ronan gives me a sharp look. “You think Don Bianco will go for that? Somewhere he can’t control?”
“I’ll make him go for it,” Marco says.
I don’t like it, but I have to admit, it’s an attractive proposition. I can’t go to Don Bianco—but if he comes to us? That must be doable. “Send us the details and we’ll consider it. Just make sure my grandfather doesn’t hear anything about it.”
“I’ll make it happen.”
“We appreciate that,” Ronan says.
I pick up my phone. “Don’t fuck us again, Marco.”
Then I hang up.
Silence falls on the room. I meet Ronan’s gaze with my own. There’s too much fucking history between us. Too much violence and anger. It feels like we’ve gone around in a circle, and here we are sitting together and trusting Marco all over again, and I can’t help but feel like we’re going to get fucked.
Chapter 41
Julien
It’s a blustery fall day in the park.
Sunlight streams through yellow and orange leaves. Moms follow kids around on the playground. A couple teenagers kick a soccer ball back and forth like they’re waiting for more players to show up. People jog on the paths, weaving around couples out for comfortable walks.