Page 12 of Unraveled Love

I spun toward the kitchen, remembering what Luca had said, as if he was still at his perch against the wall. “Who’s Luca? And what does he have to do with all of this?” Besides scaring the crap out of me and saving me at the same time. “And is that why he left? Because of MaryAnne?”

My pulsed race. I needed to move. There were too many sensations prickling at my skin. I jumped off the couch and spun, shoving my hands through my hair.

“Is that why Luca took off?”

Shawn hesitated, and I almost growled in frustration. I was freaking out, and it was obvious, but I desperately needed to know the truth and not have him hide it from me.

Most likely sensing I was at my breaking point, Shawn finally nodded.

“Partly. The man Luca killed was Antonio Mancusso. From what I’ve learned, they’ve been quickly picking up territory in New York, and some of what they’re trying to take is businesses Luca Gibraldi’s family has protected for decades. Luca’s involvement essentially threw the families into an all-out mob war. He needs to get back to protect his own.”

“Amobwar?” That same shivering sensation I’d felt around Luca returned full force. I grabbed my wine from the table and drained it as I started pacing in the small living area. I needed to calm down, but how in the hell was I supposed to do that? I’d not only recently learned my asshole ex-fiancé was related to a mob family, but now, my involvement had somehow started awar?

Good freaking gracious.

“Tell me more.” I held out my empty glass, not surprised at all Shawn was holding out the bottle for me. Maybe getting completely trashed would help me sleep later.

God knew I wasn’t going to have good, peaceful dreams for a while.

HowcouldI when so much of my world still didn’t make sense?

“Luca is second in line to take over for his family. Right now, he still reports to his father, but yes, mafia, mob, crime families—whatever you want to call them, you won’t be too far off.”

Jaxon stepped toward me and took a seat on the chair close by. His movements were full of stealth, that of a man trained for battle. I imagined him in the military, sneaking up on enemies, slitting throats and vanishing before anyone knew he was ever there.

His presence usually unsettled me, but now I was damn glad he was on my side. And to have men like Luca owing him favors? What had he done for Luca to deserve that?

I shook my head and blew out a breath. I was probably better off not knowing, even if he would tell me.

Once seated, he clasped his hands, elbows at his knees. His relaxed posture did nothing to relieve the tightness around his eyes or help relax all my muscles that felt tight and dry.

“In a few minutes, we’ll give you a safe phone so you can call your mom.”

“Why?” I croaked. I reached out and steadied myself against the back of the chair. “Did something happen?”

He shook his head. “No, but your dad was taken while we were looking for you. We suspect Daniel might have him, but your dad has arrest warrants out for embezzlement charges and as an accomplice to the Johannsens’ sex trafficking connection. As for Matthew, he’s been arrested.”

“What?” I gasped, almost throwing my wine glass across the room in surprise. Shawn caught my flailing hand, gently pulled the glass out of it, and set it on the coffee table. “He’s been arrested? Holy shit.”

“He was found at a container at the shipping ports. Thanks to Brenna’s help and talking to Connor, my team informed the FBI earlier this week, and they were ready to move.” He leaned incrementally closer. It felt like he was right up in my face as his growly voice softened and quieted. “There were women in that container, Addi, and we believe eventually, that’s where you would have ended up. The warehouse where you were found in Virginia was only temporary.”

A shudder racked my body and made my head spin. “Women?”

“And girls, honey, at least a dozen, and we believe they were being held in there until you could join them. They were set to be loaded in the morning. Had Luca not gotten involved and had I not called the FBI, you might have been on that.”

Tears swelled in my throat, and I squeezed my eyes closed. It took several moments before I could shake off the fear, the overwhelming gratitude. “Thank you,” I said, opening my eyes. “Thank you for everything.”

“It’s our job,” Jaxon said, his gaze returning to his usual stoicism.

“So, what do we do now?”

“We,” Jaxon started, “will stay the night here. Tomorrow, we return to Raleigh and regroup. Daniel will show himself at some point, and for now, with MaryAnne in New York, we’ll let Luca handle that end.You,” he continued, “will rest, relax. You’ll do what you need to do to become okay with what has already happened and with whatever will happen in the future. Mostly, you will stay safe.”

Based on his body language and words, he’d ensure it, and I had a feeling when Jaxon wanted something—no, demanded it, he got it.

Fortunately for him, there was no way in hell I was arguing with him.

Luca’s words came to mind and I faced Shawn, grabbing my glass of wine. “Remember that day you told me you’d teach me how to shoot?”

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