Page 135 of Sinfully Savage Mafia

That’s got nothing to do with him.

If I keep telling myself that, then I’ll believe it.

Aunt Maura rushes up to me, enveloping me in a tight hug. “Heaven,a leanbh, how is Matteo?”

I look at her, unsure of what to say. I love her so much but she’s embedded in this world and she wants me happy, and those two don’t go together. So…I haven’t known what to say. I’ve seen Patty, but he’s been ordered to keep his mouth shut about the marriage.

I’m bleeding and broken, yes. But I’m going to come out stronger than ever. I have to. Like Sergio said, I’m a badass bitch.

“Matteo? You’d have to ask him.” Before she can say a word, I keep going. “Dad ordered me here. Is he in the back?”

“Heaven,a leanbh, what’s wrong? I know something is up. You’ve kept away.” Her blue eyes shimmer with tears as she touches my cheek. “Sometimes forgiveness eases the soul.”

“Dad? Or do you mean Conor?”

She smiles and it’s sad. “Matteo.”

I square my shoulders, straighten my spine. “Some ships aren’t meant for me. I’m sorry, we can talk another time. I don’t want to be late.”

With that, I head to the office. If he’s called a meeting, then he’s going to recognize my hard work and appoint me to take his place. That will hopefully fill the void inside me.

I’ve lost so much. And after everything…I deserve it.

I knock briefly and push open the door. Conor and Dad both look up.

Unease spreads through me. Dad’s arm is in a sling from his injury, and Conor holds his side where a bullet grazed him. But it’s the glimmer of ugly gloating in his gaze I don’t like.

I haven’t told them the mess of my personal life, but since Matteo hasn’t been around, they must know.

Dad sits back and waves my brother to the other side of the desk. He stands beside me.

“Heaven, Conor,” my father says, looking between us. “I think you both know why you’re here.”

“Yes,” I say.

“Conor.” Dad’s attention turns to my brother. “There’s no denying you screwed up, got us into a mess. But you redeemed yourself. You helped find Dominguez and set the situation right.”

“What? That’s not what happened.” I look at Dad. “I set the situation right.”

“Circumstance, Heaven. But Conor, he tried to correct his wrongs, which is important for a leader. He’s still the oldest male in the family, and so, Conor, you will succeed me. Heaven, you will support him the way he sees fit.”

I press my fingertips to my temples. “How could you promote him? After everything? After acknowledging the damage he did? After seeing how his choices ravaged us?”

Dad presses his lips together. “It’s the right move for us. People will take us seriously with a man holding the reins.”

“He tried to kill me!”

“Don’t be so dramatic,” Conor says with a yawn. “We had a fight. It got a little heated, but whatever.”

My blood starts to turn to ice. “Dad?—”

“The decision has been made,” Dad says in a cold voice. “Heaven, you did your part for this family. You saved our future by marrying Villani, and for that we are grateful. But I can’t have that man involved in the running of this organization.”

“I’m…we’re not together?—”

“Marriage is marriage.” Dad smooths his uninjured hand over the top of his desk. “I’m also your father, your superior, and what I say goes. Now, I have a lot of ideas about how we’ll expand your position within the organization. No real power, but you’ll be well compensated and remain in control of the finances for all of our businesses?—”

“Stop.” I grip the chair. “I don’t want to hear another word.”

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