Page 67 of Devil's Deal

I’d known finding Emilio wasn’t going to be easy, but I so wanted to give my boy back his nephew that I’d held out hope that I’d be able to handle this quickly and efficiently. Arrogant? Hell yeah, but this was what I did. Hunting down targets and eliminating them was proving to be much easier than searching for a victim and rescuing them. It really pissed me off. Not my sweet Cory, though. While he hadn’t given up hope yet, he hadn’t expected a miracle. How was it that me, a man who’d never had hope, had?

“Daddy, are we going to sit here all night or are we going in?”

I sighed, staring at the sign for The Tap Tavern. How had I let Cory talk me into doing this? Was there a chance with me living in Takoda now that I would have eventually run into Omar or Nigel or Chip? Possibly. But in a city of three hundred thousand people, and with the crowd I moved in, it wouldn’t have been for a long time. Long enough for me to come up with an excuse why I was here.

Cory reached over and rested his hand on my thigh. “It’s okay to be nervous.”

“What makes you think I’m nervous? I just need to get my story straight, that’s all.”

He huffed. “Sure. Whatever you say.”

He opened his door and exited the vehicle.Cheeky brat. Following his lead, I got out, walked around, and grabbed his hand. “Are you sure this is okay? I don’t want to upset Chip.”

I barked out a laugh. “You don’t have to worry about that. When I told you that he’d found his perfect Daddy, I wasn’t kidding. I didn’t see Chip when I met up with the guys last time, but I met Ollie, his Daddy, and there’s not a doubt in my mind that boy is completely spoiled and doted on.”

Cory hip-checked me. “Hm. That sounds kind of like me.”

Stopping, I pulled him into my arms right there in the parking lot. “How did I get so lucky?” I asked.

Bumping his chest into mine, he smiled softly. “I don’t think it was luck at all. I think you’ve deserved to have some good in your life for a long time.”

“You’re unbelievable.” I pressed my lips to his, letting our kiss soothe my apprehension. The beeping of a horn startled us, and we broke apart laughing.

Cory took my hand and squeezed. “You ready to do this, Daddy?”

“Yeah, boy, with you by my side, I got this.”

Holy shit, I wasn’t at all sure I had this. I was completely lying when I said I wasn’t nervous. As much as I’d never told Omar the truth, I hadn’t lied either. Anytime I told him that I was on business, that had been the truth. When I’d told Chip at the end of our weekend together that it was because I had a new contract, that had been the truth. I was a businessman. Just not the type of business I could tell people about.

From the last time I was here, I knew that these men were aware of the mafia presence in their city. They knew who the Buccellis were. My plan to tell them that I had suddenly retired and was staying in town with Cory felt more far-fetched the closer we got to the table where I saw Omar, Nigel, Chip, and Ollie waiting.

Was I really lying, though? I wasn’t presently working as an assassin, and I wouldn’t be taking any more contracts as long as I was with Cory.Ugh. Associating with Nico’s Family and doing whatever must be done was as good as being a hitman. Hell, my uncle’s job as enforcer for Nico’s grandfather had been like an assassin on steroids.

All four men stood as soon as we reached their table. I was surprised to suddenly have an arm full of Chip. “Bosley, it’s so good to see you. I hated that I missed you last time, and I wasn’t sure you’d ever be back.”

My gaze shot to Ollie, who merely chuckled while shaking his head. “He’s been excited to see you.”

I’d forgotten how cute and tiny Chip really was. He leaned back, gripping my biceps, and beamed at me. Without thought, I smiled back. “You look good, Chip. Really happy.”

“I am.” With a sweet smile still on his face, he let me go and turned to Cory, holding out his hand. “Hi, I’m Chip. Who are you?”

“Chocolate Chip,” Ollie muttered, sounding exasperated.

Cory chuckled. “That’s okay. I’m Cory. I’ve been looking forward to meeting all of you. Ro—Bosley’s told me so much about you.”

Catching the slip, Omar’s eyes narrowed, and Ollie crossed his arms over his chest, seeming smug. What the hell was that about? Nigel pushed up next to Chip and introduced himself to Cory next. Then, like the good men they were, Ollie and Omar dismissed whatever thoughts they were having about me to shake my hand and greet Cory.

A waiter arrived as we sat down, so Cory and I ordered a couple of waters. Cory had driven, and I was too shaky to drink. I needed to be on my game for this dinner.

The waiter had no sooner walked away when Chip asked, “So are you Bosley’s boy? I saw you holding hands.”

Cory entwined our fingers. “I am.”

Chip folded his hands together and rested them on his chin. “That makes me so happy. Bosley deserves a good boy.”

“It’s funny you say that. I just told him the same thing.” He winked at me.

“So how did you meet?” Nigel asked. “And also, can I just say, I love that vest and newsboy cap combo you’re rocking.”

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