Page 164 of With Us

I nodded quickly, getting his point.

Knowing the basics is more than enough… I don’t need details.

“So the fights are profitable enough?” I asked.

“Yes, especially if you add in protection, loans, and the legit business Amaric does. Even at its lowest, betting and loans has always been enough to carry everything else.”

I thought about the little I knew about illegal loans and how dead men couldn’t pay. “If someone can’t pay you back, do you go after other people?”

“Like their family and loved ones?” At my tentative nod, Theo looked offended. “No. Fuck, Dahlia,no. First of all, I’m not in the habit of loaning money to people incapable of paying it back. Gabe and Luc do more research than a bank before we approve. If whoever starts blowing through money way faster than they can make it, they’re cut off.” It sounded almost noble until he continued. “This isn’t some misguided notion that we’ll save them from losing everything.”

“Oh.”

“If someone is a gambling addict, they’ll bet on anything. Spelling bees, little league games, a round of fucking Go-Fish. I can cut them off from loans and fights, but it won’t do much. If that’s the case, chances are I’m not the only one extending the cash. And since that usually means the poor sap ends up dead, I’m not taking a loss.” He studied me for a moment, likely gauging my reaction. “No one else deserves to be punished because of that person’s decision. Killing them guarantees they won’t repay the loan, but there are other things that happen. Things which may make them wish they were dead. It’s a lot more effective because most people are selfish assholes who only care about themselves.”

Once again, details not needed.

“Speaking of selfish,” I said, moving on, “how do you know the people under you won’t want to get into things with a bigger payoff and less work?”

“When the Irish and Amatos called a truce, we’d already begun making major changes. Most were happy about them and took the cut in income to live more under the radar. Some wanted the money, others just wanted the excitement, so they went to work for the Irish. The Irish had internal conflict about the high profile they were keeping. Those who wanted a lower risk came to work for me. It doesn’t mean we have an alliance, but it helps keep everyone honest and in their own territories.”

I hated to admit it, but it was all fascinating. There was a totally different power dynamic than I’d ever imagined, both within his business and himself. That edge that came into his eyes, the spark of excited calculation, applied to both Amaric and Amato dealings.

Biting my cheek, I gathered my thoughts as best as I could. “I want to know things, but I don’t want to knoweverything. I just need to trust that I’m able to ask, and you’ll give me thecompletetruth.”

“I can do that.”

Pushing on, I added, “Please don’t do anything… more. Things you wouldn’t be able to look me in the eyes and tell me about.”

There was no hesitation. “I can promise that, too.”

“Good.”

“You okay?” he asked, his voice soft as he cupped my face.

I nodded, a small smile pulling at my lips as I closed my eyes and leaned into his touch. A feeling of peace, ofbelonging, settled over me. I hadn’t felt it in months. “Just missed you.”

Theo pulled me closer so our foreheads touched. “Told you before, Dahlia, I’ll give up everything for you. I meant it then, I mean it now, and I’ll mean it in a hundred years. Say the word, and I walk away. But I’llneverlet you go. The last week has been fucking shit, but I’d live it over and over again if the end result was you loving me.” After brushing his lips against mine, Theo stood and picked the pillows and comforter off the floor. Quickly making the bed, he climbed back in and pulled me to him so my head rested against his chest.

Maybe I should’ve taken him up on his offer. He was willing to leave for me, and yet I’d bent to accept him. I knew that meant the blood on his hands was being transferred each time he held mine.

In that moment, though, I didn’t doubt my decision. Despite what he did, and in some ways because of it, I loved Theo. The bond between us was pulled tighter. Stronger.

When his breathing evened out in sleep, he still held me tight. Like I was his world, and he was afraid he’d lose me.

But I wasn’t going anywhere. I may have been dancing with the devil, but I’d accepted that.

Because the devil needed love, too.

And I’d be damned if anyone else was going to give it to him.

Chapter Twenty-Three

An Amato Turkey

Dahlia

“Thoughts?” Ben asked, holding back a smile as I climbed into the SUV.

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