by S. M. West
“I want to help, to take you away from this situation. You’re my sister and I’m not going to walk away from helping you.”
“Half-sister, if it’s even true.”
“It doesn’t matter to me.”
“This is insane.” She shakes her head in bafflement. “So, what’s next?”
“I’d like to get to know you, spend time with you, understand your situation, if that’s okay with you.”
“My situation? You make it sound like I’m in jail or something. It’s nothing like that. Sure, I’ve been shunned and neglected by my mother’s family, but I’m fine without them.” Her tone is bitter, belying her words. “Zia is dying and I don’t know what I should do. She’s told me she’s left everything to me. I’m like a daughter to her, and she’s the only mother I’ve ever known.”
Her voice breaks as she drops her chin down to her chest. Her dark hair curtains her face as she shakes gently.
“Anna.” I try to soothe her as I reach for her delicate hand. “We both know who your grandfather is. Your grandmother thinks he has plans for you, plans that won’t take your wishes into consideration.”
“She said that?” Her head snaps up as she pulls her feet up onto the chair and curls in on herself, appearing tinier, if possible.
“Yes.”
Letting out a jagged breath, she clears her throat. “I thought I was out of sight. I haven’t seen him in over a year and I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen that man in my entire life. There may have been more when I was younger, but I don’t remember them. Recently, when he’s visited Zia, he’s made it clear that I am not to be seen.”
“That may be, Anna, but he’s very aware of you and likely cares for his own reasons. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have men watching you.”
“You know about that?” Nodding, I urge her to continue. “I’ve listened even though I’ve been out of sight. I’m potentially useful to him. Women are bargaining chips, to be used in business arrangements and partnerships. I guess that’s what Paola means, then. He has plans to marry me off for his gain.” Her tone is resigned.
“I don’t want that for you.”
“Neither do I,” she whispers. “But what can you do?”
“I can get you out of this, somehow.”
“How? Kill Franco?” she hisses. “You’re going up against the mafia? If so, you’re crazy. You can’t win. If he has plans for me, then that’s it. I’ve never had a say in my life.”
“I haven’t figured out that part yet. I’ve got my best guys on it and we’re trying to think of a solution for how to make that bastard happy and get you out of his clutches. We’ll come up with something.”
I’m reassuring her as much as myself because we’re not even close to a viable option. While I would have preferred waiting until we had something, I couldn’t risk waiting any longer. Tina is days away from passing and who knows if that’s the trigger, if her death will prompt him to make his move.
“Evan, you seem like a really nice guy and I appreciate you wanting to help me, but I don’t see a solution.”
“There has to be.”
§
Carys
RINSING THE LAST OF the dishes, I give it to Ry and sigh with relief. Raising my hands above my head, I stretch in hopes of working out the twitch in my back. Big, warm hands slide across my stomach, causing me to jump in surprise.
“Evan, you came.” Whirling around to face him, I wrap my arms around his neck. “I was getting worried because you said you’d be here for dinner.”
“Sorry, Sweetness.” His lips crash onto mine, his tongue filling my mouth as he tastes me thoroughly. All my anxiety, every bit of concern and trepidation I had, vanishes with his kiss.
“Get a room,” Ry says as he stacks the dish in the cupboard. “I want you guys together, but I don’t want to see it.”
“Shut up, dude,” Evan growls. “Get out.”
My brother laughs, sauntering out of the kitchen as I sag into Evan’s arms, content to stay here. We’re in a really good place, spending as much time with each other as possible. We’re not really getting reacquainted because I could never not know him, but we’re just taking things slow.
He has tried a few times to get me to move in with him. He refuses to move back into the townhouse without me, and in the meantime, he’s living in a dingy apartment a few blocks over from the bar.
At some point, we will move in together. It’s inevitable and what I want, but I don’t want to rush things. I’m still trying to get Greg out of my life. While we’ve been apart over six weeks now, he keeps finding excuses for not coming to get his things.
“How’d it go with Anna?”
“Good,” he murmurs into the top of my head. “She’s fragile, but not, if that makes any sense. She’s not worldly, but she’s astute and is fully aware about what we’re dealing with. We need to figure out how to get her out of there.”
Tilting back, I look up at him, and I see concern masking his face. My hand tenderly skitters across his dark five o’clock shadow.
“We will. If anyone can get her out of there, it’s you.”
A smile slowly emerges as a loving twinkle settles in his gaze. Tugging me closer, he plants a brief, hot kiss on me as his hands grab my bottom, lifting me so I connect with his hard length, and then he squeezes.
“I want you.” His husky voice is low and blistering.
With a low moan, I wiggle in his hold, taunting both of us. “Soon. We can leave shortly. You coming back to my place?”
“Absolutely.” With the corners of his lips curved up, his gaze lingers on my chest. There’s a gleam in his eyes that makes my stomach tighten with desire. “My mouth has a date with your pussy.”
Now
Evan
“HEY, HOW ARE YOU?”
Anna’s eyes are wide as her lips part in surprise. “You shouldn’t be here.” Peering out the door, her head pans a full 180 degrees as she worries her lips.
“They saw me and know I’m here,” I say matter-of-factly.
There’s no working around Mari’s men. The part I can’t figure out is what’s taking him so long to make his move. All of us at HC are feeling uneasy because of it. I can’t shake the feeling that he’s got a plan and we won’t know what it is until he’s got us in his trap.
“Why do you keep taking these risks?” she asks, exasperated. “Do you have any idea what this could mean?”
“Yeah, but I want him to make his move first. This is all part of that.”
It’s true, but there’s more to it than that. Her aunt passed away a week ago and I also want to make sure she’s okay.
She hasn’t really shown any emotion, other than crying the first day I learned about it. I met her briefly and she cried in my arms in public, at the campus park. I considered that progress. The fact that she let me in and showed me what she was feeling shows she’s learning to trust me.
“Come in.” Shaking her head, she turns and leads me into the house, her concern clear in her creased brows. “Evan, I don’t know if you should do this. He’s not going to just let me go.”
“We know that and we’re prepared to negotiate.”
“You have no idea what he’ll ask for.”
“No, but we won’t know what we’re dealing with unless we give him a push.”
We each take a seat in a formal living room. For a young woman, the place is reserved, the furniture conservative and prim. I didn’t know her zia, but it’s clear an older person furnished and lived in this home.
“You like to live dangerously?” she asks dryly.
“Not really, but it keeps things interesting.” My tone is playful and light, although the risk is real and I’m not thrilled about having to tackle it this way. We’re talking about the mafia here, so we can’t go knocking on his door unless we have something to offer, and as of now, we don’t. I’d just be taking, and that simply won’t fly with La Cosa Nostra.
“How’s school?” I ask to change the subj
ect and lighten the mood.
“Fine, the same. I don’t know what I want to do. I feel like I’m so behind in life. I’m nearly twenty-five and I’m just starting college, and even at that, I wonder what the point is. My life’s already been planned for me.” She sighs, her tone dejected and frustrated.
This is only my third time meeting with her, yet I can already tell that she’s a sweet girl. She’s lonely and lacking a bit in confidence, but my guess is that’s only because she hasn’t been encouraged or allowed to spread her wings. My wish is to let her out of this place, to watch her fly. Even in the short time we’ve been getting to know each other, it’s clear that she’ll soar and thrive, if only given the chance.
“No, it’s not. It’s yours to decide—I’ll make sure of it.” Our gazes lock in a familiar standoff. She’s regarding me with half doubt and half hope, and I’m showering her with all my sincerity. I like my sister, a lot, and something tells me that, if I don’t already, I could love her something fierce. “Listen, we’re gathering at The Waters for dinner tonight. It’ll be a bunch of the guys I work with, my friends and family, and I’d love it if you came.”
“Um, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” There’s hesitation and regret in her voice.
“Listen, let me worry about that stuff. Come, you’ll have fun. Carys really wants to meet you.”
Her eyes brighten at the mention of my girl. I’ve talked about Sweetness and Anna seems excited to meet her. Likely, it’s her first chance to bond with another woman close to her age.
“All right, but I have to change.”
We both glance down at her cutoff jogging pants and baggy tee. Nodding, she smiles and bounds out of the room as I text Carys to let her know Anna is coming. She’ll be thrilled.
She’s at her apartment meeting dickface — Greg. I had to pay him a visit at his law firm, told him in no uncertain terms that he was to come get his shit by the end of the week or else I’d burn it all. He was no longer going to hold this over Carys’s head; it was the only connection they had left.
Fortunately, he’s not stupid and called her this morning to arrange to get his stuff. Of course, he insisted that Carys be there. I didn’t like it, but she agreed. She wants it over, and if this is what it takes to get rid of him, so be it. I’ve got Tango on her in case the asshole pulls anything.
Anna’s nervous and fidgety. During the drive to the bar, she squirms and constantly shifts in her seat, asking endless questions about who will be there. She makes me think of an excited kid going to a birthday party.
She abruptly slips her tiny hand in mine as we enter the bar. Glancing down at her, I see her brow is furrowed and she’s gnawing on her lips. Nervous is an understatement. She looks up at me and I give her a small, comforting smile. They’re going to love her.
“Evan.”
Ma greets me with a warm hug. Then, turning, she gives her full attention to my sister. Her eyes are warm and inviting.
“You must be Anna.”
Anna nods, likely unable to find her voice, and a faint smile spreads on her lips.
“You sure are a beauty, and such a little thing.”
Leaning in, she encases Anna in her arms and squeezes her tight. Anna lets out a shocked whimper as her eyes widen and a nervous laugh erupts from her.
“Sorry, dear. I sometimes get carried away. I’m thrilled to meet you. Let me introduce you to everyone.”
Taking Anna’s hand, she draws her into the room. Anna glances back at me, seeking my approval, or perhaps making sure I’ll be close by. I smile and nod in encouragement and as Ma leads her away, I scan the crowd for Sweetness. She isn’t here yet.
Anna is introduced to Tate, Tripp, Coop, and a few of the guys from HC. Ry’s on his way and Max isn’t here. This is the third time Max has been MIA at one of our gatherings, and in talking briefly with Tate, she’s worried. Sure, he’s a doctor and sometimes his schedule doesn’t permit him to be with us, but it seems to be more than that.
While she’s estranged from their mother, Max is still very much entangled with her. From what Ry’s told me, she’s a dangerous woman, more dangerous than Tate is fully aware. I make a mental note to look into it. I don’t like the idea of my friends being in trouble or needing help. Yeah, you heard me right—friends.
Fortunately, Max and I managed to smooth things out since our rocky introduction. I’ve come to like the guy, even if he did try to make a move on my girl. I thank fuck there was no chemistry between them, because if anyone could give me a run for my money where Carys is concerned, it’d be Max.
As we’re about to order, I call Carys. She’s still not here, and there’s a growing knot in my stomach at her absence.
“Mr. Hart.” A male voice answers her phone and the hairs on the back of my neck bristle. “I was wondering when you’d call. I believe I have something of yours. If you want the opportunity to get her back, be at my place in twenty minutes.” His words are ominous.
“You fucking touch a hair on her head and I’ll kill you!” I threaten as the phone goes dead. The fucker hung up.
Now
Evan
“COOP,” I BELLOW, WHILE simultaneously phoning Tommie. Several people in the bar turn in my direction as Coop jogs over, effortlessly parting the crowd. Upon hearing Tommie’s voice, I bark out orders, each word like toxic gas on my tongue. “I need eyes on Mari’s place now. I’m going in, they have Carys.”
“What’s the plan?” Coop asks.
“Come with me. I’ll fill you in on the way.”
“Sure thing.”
As we head for the door, I stop, remembering Anna. I find her and Ma’s eyes easily and mouth, Take care of her. Ma nods as I exhale sharply. It fucking hurts to breathe.
“Want me to call Ry for backup?”
As we jog and get into the car, I contemplate leaving Ry out of this. Backup would be smart and he’s always my first choice, but they’ve got his sister because of me. Will he be able to think straight? Fuck, I already messed up with him. He should know.
“Yeah, call Ry.”
After the call with Ry on speaker, Coop wants to strategize about how best to go in and what the potential scenarios might be. It’s not smart, but fuck strategy. They’ve got my girl, and I’ll do whatever the fuck it takes to get her back.
Upon arrival at Mari’s warehouse, we’re greeted by two big guys with no necks and large bellies. They pat us down and take our guns. We’re not surprised; we knew this would happen.
They lead us upstairs to a row of offices overlooking the warehouse floor. There are about a dozen guys milling around and some stop to stare.
Upon entering Mari’s office, my gaze immediately seeks Carys, not really registering who else is in the room. She gives me a faint smile, letting me know she’s fine, or as fine as she can be under the circumstance.
She’s being held by a fat motherfucker who doesn’t know it yet, but his days are numbered. He’ll beg me to die when I’m done with him. Dragging my gaze away from Carys so I can take in the rest of the room and its inhabitants, I see the guy with Carys is beside Franco Mari.
He sits smugly behind his big, ornate wooden desk. At the sight of the deadly gleam in his dark eyes and his calculated grin, my stomach pitches. Fuck, he’s enjoying every second of this. He’s in his early sixties with short salt-and-pepper hair. He’s fit for his age, still attractive with his dark eyes and olive complexion, and impeccably dressed in an expensive suit.
“One minute to spare. Punctuality is a fine quality in a man. Mr. Hart, you’ve brought a friend? Davis Cooper, I believe it is?”
I glance to my side and Coop tips his chin as I simmer in my rage. Calming the fuck down is paramount. As much as I want to annihilate this animal for laying a finger on Carys, we’re outnumbered and on his turf.
Unless I’ve got a death wish, I can’t take out a made man—a consigliere, no less—and expect to live to tell about it, not without a well-thought-out plan. Time is my friend.
Choosing not to dignify his comment with one of my own, I continue my scan of the room. In addition to Franco, Carys, and the goon holding her, there’s another no-neck across the room beside Greg. What the fuck?
With a double-take, my eyes crash with his, and the coward squirms and averts his eyes, eventually bowing his head in what I’d call shame.
“Should we expect more of your friends?” Franco asks, his question rhetorical. “I’d say it’s safe to expect Rylan Wolfe soon, is it not?”
“What do you want, Franco?” I ask through gritted teeth. “And what the fuck is Greg doing here?”
“Ah, Mr. Williams works for me. Didn’t you know? I thought it was your job to know everything.” His tone is mocking. “You see, Greg here has been playing house with Carys because I told him to.”
Before his last word leaves his mouth, I lunge toward Greg, another dead man in my eyes, and Carys yells out. I’m not sure who her concern is for, but her eyes never leave me.
Coop’s arms encircle my waist like iron bands and jerk me back. He loosens his hold somewhat once he’s convinced I won’t try again.
Snapping his fingers, Franco gets my attention as the huge goon thrusts Carys into his grasp. I take a step toward them and Coop’s viselike grip tightens. We share a brief exchange. While I’m still learning his ways and getting to know him, he’s telling me to wait—not to not act at all, just to wait.
Franco’s fingers bite into Carys’s jaw, her flesh reddening as he pulls her into his side. One arm firmly wraps around her middle and the other holds her face. Our gazes fuse, and while her expression is blank, her eyes tell me so much.
She’s strong, brave and yet scared. She won’t give this fucker the satisfaction of showing it, and there’s nothing but trust in her eyes, trust that I’ll get her out of this. Damn, I fucking love her.
“She really is stunning, but I don’t have to tell you that. If I didn’t already have a plenty on the side or cared to have add another…” His voice trails off, letting the implication soar through the air like a hand grenade with the pin pulled.
“Get to the point,” I press, my patience hanging by a thread.