Page 44 of Mob Princess

“I usually send Gio for this,” I murmured.

But I figured this was a great time to start that lesson.

I set the papers down and picked up my office phone. I dialed the number seven, then waited until the phone rang. One ring, two rings, three rings exactly.

“Yes, sir?”

I grinned. “Porter. Got a job for you.”

“I’m all ears.”

“Come to my office at two. We’ll talk then.”

“Yes, sir. See you then.”

“Thanks.”

I set the phone back down on the receiver and smiled to myself. If my brother thought I was going to keep giving him work after a display like that, he was sorely mistaken. I picked the papers back up and pushed off the edge of the desk, walking back around to my chair. I sat in the buttery leather seat, feeling it give way as it molded to my body.

Then, I slid my reading glasses on and started reading.

The more I read, though, the more I found myself thinking about that damn party. It was this weekend, and after planning this with my brother since well before Bonnie ever entered the picture, I was glad to have it almost past us. Three more days and I’d never have to plan another wedding anniversary party like this for as long as I lived. Including my own, because I sure as hell wouldn’t live long enough in my line of work to ever see that milestone.

The smallest pang of regret touched my gut. As quickly as it came on, I pushed it away. “Come on, focus.”

I read through what had been included in the “urgent” envelope so I could be prepared to brief Porter once he got there. My mind was still swirling about the party. Why the hell did my brother care all of a sudden? Did he really think he could take my place like Bonnie suggested? A few days ago, he wouldn’t have given a shit who I brought to that party. And now, I wasn’t supposed to take Bonnie? Yes, I didn’t trust her. Yes, I hadn’t brought her with me that day for a plethora of reasons. Yes, I was entranced by her. Hell, even wooed by her at some points. But I was a man. I was strong. And I could make my own damn decisions.

I wanted her with me at that party.

So, she’d go with me to that party. “That settles that.”

Something about my brother’s actions still bugged me, though.

I mean, he’d never come to visit me. Ever. The last time he’d come to stay any length of time with me had been after his fucking divorce. That bitch of a woman he’d married against Mom and Dad’s will had kicked him out. She’d taken everything he’d owned since he was stupid enough not to make her sign a damn prenup. He’d come and had crashed in the library for two solid months before I’d finally told him to get out. And now, after all these years, he popped back up again?

He’s got something he’s working.

“Or, something he and Dad are working on.”

As I sat there, staring at my laptop, I wondered if the threat really was Bonnie’s family. If Pava Moretti really was the biggest wall I had standing in front of me right now. As my mind wandered and as I slowly started piecing some things together, a new picture formed in my mind’s eye.

And I started wondering if the real threat to my family right now… was my own.

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