Page 130 of Creed

That reminder has the effect I thought it would. I’m not using Ollie’s attack to manipulate or coerce Antonio; however, I’mnotnot using it for that. These are dire circumstances.

“Creed, Len said you thought a third party might be involved?” Tag asks.

“We haven’t found anything definitive to prove that’s the case, or who the third party may be.”

Severyn and Tag exchange a look but remain silent.

“Len said your tech person traced back the hack on the campus security system,” I say.

“They did.” Severyn’s brows pull together over her unique gray eyes. “But it wasn’t as definitive as we had hoped, though.” Her eyes flick between Creed, Andro, and me, almost like she’s watching for our reaction. “At first, it looked like it might've led back to Silvestro Mancini.”

“The Mancini family from Boston,” Andro says.

“Friends of yours?” Tag raises a brow.

“Most definitely not,” Creed growls. “Our family would never ally with them.”

“Both are Italian mafia families,” Miguel states.

“We’re not immediately friendly.” Andro comes to stand beside Creed. “We’re from different syndicates and are more geared to being natural rivals than instant allies. Plus, they’re across the country; our territories don't even come close to touching.”

“And the shit Mancini does,” Creed snarls. “Even if we were both part of the same syndicate and fucking neighbors, our family would never work with him.”

“For not having a role in your family’s underworld criminal activities, you’re very much in the know, Creed,” Antonio says with some of the loathing back.

I flinch, and Antonio catches it, and his eyes flash with regret and pain.

I can feel Creed’s rippling anger that Antonio has hurt me, but he responds calmly, “I may not be directly involved in that side of my family’s operations, but I did grow up in that household.”

Creed could easily lash out at Antonio’s disrespect; however, he isn’t doing so because of me, because my feelings and safety come first. This makes me love him even more.

I twist my head around to face Creed, staring up at him, thanking him without needing words. He gazes down at me, his love written all over his gorgeous face as he briefly cups my cheek. I turn back to Antonio. “We love who we love; that’s what you always tried to instill in us,Tio.”

He jerks slightly, his eyes darting between me and Creed.

“She’s right, Antonio,” Miguel says. “Drop this hate and resistance. Focus on Sophie and what she needs.”

Antonio’s stiff shoulders ease. He sighs and reaches for my hands again. “Firefly, I just need you safe.”

“Everyone in this room is on the same page, Antonio,” Creed says softly. “Let’s work together.”

Antonio stares hard at Creed before finally nodding.

“What about Mancini?” Andro brings us back. “You’re interested in him. Why?”

Severyn moves to a chair across from me and sits. “You’ve heard about the federal agencies’ takedown of the human trafficking ring with the Cataclysmic drug development several months ago?”

“We have,” Creed answers stiffly. “What of it? What’s the connection?”

“It’s possible that Silvestro Mancini was one of the groups who used that global ring to support his own prostitution ring in Boston,” Tag jumps in. “There’s some evidence he’s been trying to encroach on New York for finding victims for his ring.”

I remember something Antonio told me a few months ago and turn to Miguel. “You were worried about people being targeted at the club.”

“We had two disappear,” he says. “We weren’t the only club, but we’ve done everything possible to prevent it.”

“New York? That’s Alessio Candreva’s territory.” Andro whistles. “Mancini’s got some big balls, or he’s stupid as a bag of shit.”

“Pushing into Candreva territory isn’t wise,” Creed agrees. “So, Mancini’s looking for other locations to grab victims from or to transport them?”

---