Page 76 of Midnight Salvation

Jordan:HE’S DOING WHAT???

Me:Yeah, I’m stuck in this toilet listening to the entire story. The guy’s an ass.

Xavier:Duck this.

Xavier:*Fuck. I hate autocorrect. When have I even shown an interest in ducks?

Jordan:Motherducker… You always looked at them twice in the park.

Me:Quack.

Xavier:Fuck you, fuck this, and fuck Tom. I’ll cut his dick off and see how much he enjoys anal sex.

Jordan:Leave it with me. I’ll move his detail and we’ll deal with this when we sort Silas. I need more men on my team and he’s about to find himself promoted to working for me. Accidents tend to happen.

Something told me that Tom was about to land in a world of hurt. He deserved it because Catarina was family and we took care of our own… Unless they were homicidal maniacs like Dad. Then it was open season and he was one of Xavier’s ducks.

When Catarina left, there was a tap at the door and I slid the lock back.

“How much did you hear?” Lucrezia asked.

“Enough for Tom not to be on her security detail right now. Jordan has just promoted him onto his team, so he has his full attention.”

Her head dropped. “She told me in Tuscany but made me promise not to say anything. I’m terrified for her.”

Lucrezia’s eyes were huge and wide. “It’s been dealt with. Next time you have a problem, tell me and it’ll be sorted immediately.”

“I thought you would have beaten him half to death,” she admitted.

“Zee wanted to, but Jay is a sadistic asshole who’ll revel in making his life hell while making him think that he’s been promoted. He won’t realise what happened until it’s too late.”

“I should be appalled, but I’m just relieved she’s getting help. Madison has been taking her away on spa retreats and Francis has been trying to keep an eye on things.”

I groaned and pinched the bridge of my nose. “You need a new security detail. That man is no longer effective.”

“Francis is family,” she defended.

“Which is why he is no longer effective.” I grabbed her face between my hands. “We can only do our job if there are no emotions involved. My security team neutralised the threat outside Harold’s that day. If you had let me put them as a close protection unit, you would never have been shot in the first place.”

I watched the rebellion die in her eyes. She wanted to argue, but there was no use because deep down, she knew I was right.

“This event tomorrow night is about neutralising another threat on the Council. Silas is also on Lucas’ board down there. I’ve already told them that you aren’t going, you and Catarina will be staying at home since you’re still recovering.”

She opened her mouth to protest, but I slowly shook my head, my gaze boring deep into hers. Her lips pursed shut.

“I hate it when you’re right,” she muttered, glancing away.

I lifted her chin with my fingers to make her look at me. “You remember where all the weapons are?” I asked.

Lucrezia sighed and slumped onto the side of the bed. “What’s the point, Ash? I’m useless at aiming at anything. My hand shakes and I keep missing the target. Sofia made it look easy when we were younger.”

I crouched in front of my frustrating wife. “You don’t need to hit them, just point it in the right direction and keep pulling the trigger. I guarantee they’ll run the other way.”

“Promise?”

I shrugged one shoulder. “I know I would.”

Her head fell forward onto my shoulder. “I wish this was all over.”

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