THE ENFORCER: a Mafia Romance (Bad Romance Book 2)

by Shanna Bell

  “I can’t have her running around with glass all day,” Mary muttered.

  “Ah, my bratan does like to swear, doesn’t he?”

  Zoe held the jar under his noise. “That will be one dollar, please.”

  Kristoff took out a stack of bills and riffled through them. “I don't have a one-dollar bill.”

  Zoe peeked at his hand. “But you have money?” She looked disappointed, clearly not happy with a grown-up not abiding by grown-up rules.

  “Those are hundred-dollar bills, cupcake,” Mary explained.

  “I can wait so you can change,” Zoe offered, not ready to let her uncle off the hook.

  There was a stare-off between the two. Then Kristoff cocked a brow and put a hundred-dollar bill in the jar.

  Zoe beamed. “Thank you, Uncle Kris.” She turned to Mary. “Will you count how much I have now? Do you think it's enough for a Wii?” She sounded so hopeful.

  “I’m sensing a scam here,” Kristoff said dryly.

  “No scam,” Mary assured him. “Why don’t you take the jar to Hector, cupcake, so he can count for you? I have something to discuss with your uncle.”

  Zoe left with the swear jar safely tucked in her hands.

  “Discuss with me? Sounds ominous.”

  “Not at all.” Her gaze followed Zoe who had reached Hector. He was patiently listening to her as she bounced around him. “You should talk to him, you know. Explain.”

  “Explain what?”

  “Why you sent him away.”

  “He has told you.” He sounded surprised.

  “Yes. After, um, much debate.” And an intro of a night she would forever remember.

  “There is nothing to tell that would make a difference. We are what we are.”

  “I don’t believe that. See, if you didn’t care about him, you wouldn’t have kept yourself in his life.” When he cocked an eyebrow, she continued, “Hector seems to think that you decided to become friends with Gio because you two are made out of the same cloth. And while that may be true, it’s still strange. Why would a man who wants nothing to do with his brother become friends with his brother’s best friend? It doesn’t make sense. It would have been more logical if you would have stayed away from the Dettas, and thus away from Hector. But you didn’t. In fact, I’d bet you proposed to co-own a club with Gio to stay entangled in Hector’s life.”

  He took another swig from his drink. “It appears my brother has married you not only for your beauty, but your brains as well.”

  “Hector doesn’t see it, because his emotions cloud his judgment, but I do. And I don’t like seeing him unhappy. He might not show it, but I think you hurt him really bad all those years ago, and that wound hasn’t healed.”

  Kristoff looked at Hector, who was putting patties on the grill while trying to keep Zoe away from the fire.

  “What if some wounds never heal?”

  “I don’t believe that to be true. Being too afraid or too proud to right a wrong is a weakness. I would think that a man like you wouldn’t want to live with such a flaw.”

  “A man like me?”

  She nodded. “Strong, independent, king of his world. Surely you aren’t afraid to tell Hector the real reason why you sent him away?”

  “Smart, beautiful, and manipulative. You should come work for me.”

  “Not manipulative,” she corrected him, though she totally was. “I just want Hector to be happy. And I think you giving him closure will help with that.”

  “I'll think about it.”

  “That's all I'm asking. Now, do you want some steak with your drink?”

  CHAPTER 23

  HECTOR

  Hector opened his front door and almost tripped over Zoe’s suitcase. Then he remembered today was Zoe’s sleepover. He hadn’t been able to make it to dinner tonight, but was just in time to see his girls getting ready.

  Zoe looked excited when she saw him. She was adorable in her jeans and pink sweater, holding her superhero backpack.

  Mary greeted him with a chaste kiss. She was nothing but proper around Zoe, considering even a little tongue risqué.

  She grabbed her keys. “Let’s go, cupcake.”

  “Can Hector bring me?”

  “You don’t want me to take you? Are we already at the embarrassing mom stage?” Mary mock-whispered.

  Zoe rolled her eyes. “No, silly. But I told Kim and Jodi about Hector. That he’s as big and strong as Wolverine. They didn’t believe me.”

  She wanted to show him off. No one had ever wanted to do that before. It was… humbling. “Sure. I’ll take you.”

  “Yay! They didn’t believe me when I said Mary looked like a doll before either,” she huffed. “Except Jodi’s father, Mr. Storm. He said Mary is beautiful.”

  Hector’s eyes narrowed. “Did he now?”

  “Don’t give me that look,” Mary said, while she put her keys back in the bowl. “Storm lost his wife a year ago and is still mourning her.”

  “Guess that’s what I get for marrying a hot piece of—”

  “Little ears!” Mary hissed.

  “I forgot Spidey!” Zoe ran back up the stairs.

  He pulled Mary to his side and whispered, “A hot piece of ass like you. You know what I’m gonna do to that ass tonight?”

  “That’s going to have to wait because tonight is girls’ night.”

  “Are you going to wear your fuck-me pumps?” Just thinking about the first time he’d seen her in those spiked heels got him hard. Of course, back then, he couldn’t touch her. How things had changed.

  “I am.”

  “Jesus, fuck.”

  “That’s another dollar, Mr. Diaz. Keep it up, and you’re going to make me rich.”

  “You can have all I have, baby. And tonight, when you get back, I’m going to give you all I have while you’re wearing those pumps.”

  Her clattering smile elevated his spirit. He found himself… happy, dammit, and he wasn’t sure how he felt about that. On one hand, it felt great. Coming home to his girls every night was worth more than any pile of money. On the other hand, for the first time in his life, he had something to lose. If anything happened to them, it would cripple him.

  He took Zoe’s suitcase and opened the door. A delivery guy with a large box looked up at him from his porch.

  “Zoe Diaz?” he asked.

  Hector liked that name. They should look into changing Zoe’s last name.

  “Yeah. That’s my kid.” He bellowed Zoe’s name up the stairs.

  “I’m here!” Zoe announced dramatically as she jumped off the last few steps of the stairs.

  He caught her mid-air and she clasped her arms and legs around him. The kid was quite the monkey.

  “Who’s it from?”

  The guy looked on his clipboard. “Some Kristoff, no last name.”

  “Uncle Kris sent me a present!”

  He winced when Zoe nearly blew up his ear. He signed the paper that was shoved under his nose, and the courier left the package in the corridor.

  As soon as Hector closed the door behind him, Zoe climbed off him and attacked the box. The piece of carton didn’t stand a chance against a six-year-old.

  “Uncle Kris got me a Wii!”

  “That’s very nice of him,” Mary said.

  Hector cocked a brow. “How come he gets to buy her stuff and when I want to, you tell me no?”

  “I want her to learn the value of money,” Mary explained.

  “Clearly, Kristoff didn’t get that memo.”

  “Clearly.”

  “I have to thank Uncle Kris,” Zoe decided.

  “Why don’t you let me do that?” Mary said, as she took out her phone. “You’re going to be late to your friend’s party.”

  Hector grinned. “Don’t forget to give him hell for spoiling her.”

  “Of course,” she hastily agreed.

  He pulled her close and whispered, “You’re so full of shit.”

  “I’m totally going to scold him!”
she shouted after him.

  She so wasn’t.

  After taking Zoe to her friend Kim’s house, he returned home. He wanted to see Mary before she left for her night out.

  She was standing in front of the hallway mirror, putting on her shoes. Fuck, she was beautiful. A sight for sore eyes in her deep purple skirt that ended just above her knees, her silver pumps that made her long legs go on for miles, and her top that…

  “Where’s the rest of your shirt?”

  She spun around, an arm cocked on her hip. “Do you like it? It was Jazzy’s turn to pick the theme this month.”

  No, he didn’t fucking like it.

  “Theme?” he forced himself to ask.

  “Every month, one of us gets to pick a dress code. Jazzy went for backless.” She gave a wicked smile. “Next month, it’s my turn. I was thinking of boho chic with animal print. I can’t wait to see what Tommie will come up with. He always has this crazy apparel. No idea where he finds the stuff.”

  “Hold on. I’m coming with.” He put his boots back on.

  “To girls’ night?”

  “I have some business at the club anyway,” he lied.

  “You do?”

  “Yeah. I’m going to have a talk with Kristoff. He’s usually at Flux on a Friday night. Was thinking that maybe you’re right, and I should try to get to know him. Make an effort.” He almost choked on the last words.

  Her eyes softened. “You’re finally going to talk to your brother.”

  “Now don’t get ahead of yourself. And no more meddling. I’m just going over to say hi.” And he meant that in the most literal sense of the word. Greeting the bastard and then ignoring him technically was talking.

  She gave him a soft kiss. “Thank you.”

  He pressed her body against him, his hand grazing her back. Her naked back. The reason he had to keep an eye on her in the first place.

  “I’ll drive you.”

  On the way over to Flux, they discussed Zoe. He was glad to hear the progress the little one was making. She’d gone through a lot, and it seemed like she was settling in nicely at her new school.

  At the club, they were greeted with dark piano music and complimentary drinks. He took Mary to a table in the VIP section. Tommie and Jazzy were already there. Their quartet was finished with Katya, Kristoff’s protégé. The girl had long pink hair that made her baby blues stand out, even in the shaded nightclub.

  He kissed his woman, tongue and all, for everyone to see, and went to the office upstairs.

  As he’d dreaded, he was greeted by Angel, who managed the club. He was doing paperwork behind his laptop.

  “Well, well, what brings you here?” he asked.

  While Diaz Security did provide the security for this place, it was usually one of his men who coordinated the security.

  “Just thought I’d join my wife for the evening.”

  “Ah, the infamous girls’ night.”

  “You’ve heard about it.”

  “They’re great for business. Every time they come in, social media posts about the club increase. Especially when Tommie enters the building.”

  Hector looked down through the see-through mirror onto the dance floor. The area around his woman was getting crowded with rowdy dancers. A few men, some already drunk, were getting closer than he liked. He called his security guy.

  “I need a parameter around table three in the VIP section.”

  “You sure you don’t want them to build a wall?” a voice sounded from behind him.

  Kristoff stood in the doorway. Great.

  “What are you doing here?” He usually stayed at his own private booth.

  “I’m part owner of this place. I can come and go as I please.” Kristoff came to stand next to him, looking through the glass. “I dropped Katya off. As you know, she was invited as well.” He sounded particularly pleased by that.

  “And you let her leave like that?”

  “Leave like what?” Kristoff peeked downstairs and cursed. “She was wearing a jacket while in the car. Sneaky girl. What is she doing going dressed like that? She’s just a kid.”

  Actually, she wasn’t. Hector knew that because when the girl had turned twenty-one, a few months back, she’d had her first girls’ night with Jazzy’s crew. It was good to know someone could pull one over Kristoff, though. He grinned. Maybe this night was going to be fun after all.

  Then someone put his hand on Katya’s bare back. Kristoff’s eyes flamed up like the end of a match.

  “Suka,” he hissed. “Getting his filthy germs all over her.”

  His germs? It was a weird thing to focus on, but Hector was beginning to learn that his brother was nothing if not a bit… peculiar.

  “You can’t kill him.”

  “Says who?”

  “Says me. Too many witnesses. If they find his body, first place the cops will come looking is here.”

  “You’re assuming there will be a body to be found.”

  Hector shook his head. “Same result.”

  “Boys, boys, boys,” Angel said from behind his desk, making both of them turn to him with a scowl. “Already taken care of.” He waved his phone.

  Hector looked back to the dance floor and saw the guy who had been harassing Katya discreetly being handled.

  Shit. This was not going to end well.

  Kristoff exchanged a look with Angel. “Let’s go.”

  “I said, no killing.”

  “He touched what wasn’t his to touch,” Kristoff said. “If a man dares to touch what is yours today, who’s to say that he won’t take all of it tomorrow?”

  Angel nodded. “Knife, hammer, or chainsaw?”

  Fucking fuck.

  Hector followed behind the two crazies. He couldn’t let them kill the guy. Not without it raising any suspicions toward Flux, and Gio in general.

  Sometimes he hated his job.

  CHAPTER 24

  MARY

  Mary leaned back in her comfortable booth. It had been a while that she had gone out like this. It was nice to put on a skirt sometimes and make an effort. She didn’t get to do that a lot anymore. Not with having a part-time job and a six-year-old to take care of.

  She toasted with the girls and Tommie for another round of shots and looked around, trying to spot her husband. Hector had been so cute trying to hide his jealousy. He even made up a story about accompanying her, so he could talk to his brother. She knew he’d rather have his teeth pulled.

  “So, how’s married life treating you, cuz?” Jazzy winked.

  “Actually, pretty good,” she confessed. Part of her hadn’t expected things to work out this well, afraid that the domestic life would be too boring for a man like Hector. After all, the man had been a bachelor one day and got a wife and a child the next. He didn’t seem to mind, though. If ever a role would be assigned to people, Hector’s would be just that; husband, father, protector.

  “Tell me he’s great in the sack,” Tommie chimed in. “Tell me it’s not all looks but a snooze fest between the sheets.”

  “I don’t kiss and tell.”

  He huffed. “You have to share. Let me live vicariously through you guys. It’s been ages since I’ve gotten laid.”

  Jazzy cocked a brow. “Ages? Didn’t you hook up with this guy just two weeks ago?”

  “You mean parrot man?” Tommie fake shuddered.

  “Parrot man?” Katya asked. She was the newbie between them. Mary liked the girl. There was this permanent smile etched on her heart-shaped face.

  “Yeah, he does this thing with his dick—”

  “Tommie!” Jazzy sent him a look.

  “What?”

  “Don’t hold back on my account,” Katya said, after she slurped the rest of her margarita. “I wished I had a sex life. I’m not exactly a virgin by choice.”

  Tommie turned to the girl. “How is it that a beauty like you doesn’t have a man? Or are you into women? Maybe both? We could get you one of each.” He rose a bit from his chair,
scanning the crowd. “Let me get you a hottie tonight. Maybe more than one. ’Cause why not? I love me some reverse harem.”

  Katya chuckled. “Actually, I’m into men—”

  “Ain’t we all,” Tommie muttered.

  “—and I didn’t go out much before because of all the hospital visits. Cancer,“ she said, when they looked at her questioningly. A determined look crossed Katya’s face. “But that’s over now. It’s time for things to change. It’s time for some color in my life.” She patted Tommie’s arm. “Thank you for the pink extensions, by the way. I love them.”

  “You’re welcome, sugar-plum. Next month, we’ll go for rainbow hair.”

  Jazzy’s hand went to Katya’s in a silent support. Mary knew her cousin was thinking of her friend whom she’d lost to cancer. Katya smiled at her, her eyes shining.

  And just like that, Mary knew Katya had become a permanent part of their group.

  Speaking of their group, a long-lost member just emerged out of thin air, snaking through the crowd. Gina was coming over. She wore an amazing-looking white dress with cap sleeves. The piece was complemented with gold hoop earrings.

  She was surprised to see Gina because ever since the incident with Jazzy, she avoided their cousin. Even now, she could hardly look Jazzy in the eyes.

  “I need to speak with you,” Gina said.

  “Sure. But first, let me order you a drink.”

  “No, I need to speak to you, now. In private. I knew you’d be here tonight. I need… can we please—”

  Mary got up from her seat.

  “Do you want us to go with?” Jazzy asked, her eyes narrowed on Gina.

  “What? No.” Did she really think her own sister would be a danger to her? “I’ll be right back. Order me another round. Make it something fruity.”

  She followed Gina through the busy crowd. Gina didn’t stop until they were behind the club, in the parking lot.

  Standing underneath a lamp post, Mary saw the fear in her sister’s eyes.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I need a place to stay tonight.”

  “You’re welcome to stay with us.” She wasn’t sure how Hector would feel about that, but Gina was her sister. He’d have to deal.