Page 2 of Clash Of Worlds

I peeked up over my book to look at the man who had stepped up to my father. No one really bothered my dad with work while he was at the house; that was an unspoken rule he had from the time we were babies.

Not that everyone listened, like now. Granted, I would assume it was an emergency, but still, it was always best to call him rather than invade his domain and risk his wrath.

Which I could see was starting to peek at his red cheeks.

“Carlos, not at home. You know this, you buffoon of a man.”

“I’m sorry, but this couldn’t wait. And I did try calling.”

My eyes pinged from each man, curious about what was going on.

“What is it?”

“Two of our boys were killed. They were found on the eastern shore of the riverbank?”

Even that caught my attention. Anyone who was anyone in this town knew that the eastern shore of the river belonged to the Irish mafia and not one of my kind was to set foot there.

The only neutral ground between both families was the mayor’s house. His land sat right in the middle, and he easily dipped from both sides.

“Did they do it?”

“No, sir, I don’t believe the Mud Stain faces did it.”

“Really Carlos,” I groaned, slamming my book on the stand next to me. “Name calling? What are you, five?”

“Lucia, quiet. In fact, take the little ones from the pool. It’s time you were all inside and out of the heat.”

I crossed my arms while I sat in the chair and stared at my dad. He might scare all other men, but I knew him to be a teddy bear. And as I was pushing thirty-one, he didn’t need to tell me what to do. Granted, I would take my nieces inside, but not because I needed to be out of the sun.

“I’m sorry,Principessa, you’ll always be my baby though. Please head inside?”

“Better,papa.” With that, I gathered the little ones and took them in, settling them down for their nap.

Two hours later, I pushed the door to my dad’s office open and peeked my head around.

“Are you busy?”

“No,” he said, putting down the paper he was looking over. “What’s on your mind?”

“Those men who were killed. Dad, I’ve been thinking about it.”

“Have you,” he teased, leaning back in his chair. I didn’t interfere with his job, lessons learned over time of course, and certainly not as the Don of the family, but that didn’t mean I didn’t have my own thoughts on things.

“We’ve never had issues with the Irish, in the many generations we’ve had. I can’t see us starting now. Especially when their own were killed.”

“How do you know this, Lucia?”

“You know my friend Janet?” At his nod, I went on. “She’s friends with Jameson’s son, who let it spill that they had a problem as well. That two of their own were found in one of our parks.” I paused, twisting my lip and my dad waved me on.“They think there might be a new enemy coming around. What better way to find out than at the annual Mayor ball next week?”

~ Chapter Two ~

Trevor

I adjusted my tie and then slid the black vest on, followed by the pin striped jacket. Tonight was the annual mayor's ball, and I couldn't help the feeling churning in my gut.

It was a feeling I've always trusted.

It was one that never led me astray in this business.

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