Chapter 33

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Roman

After Maddie leaves, Mason and I get down to business. Not only do we hammer out the contract for Maddie, we start discussing the particulars of transitioning the casinos to Nia and the pieces we’ll need to create a nonprofit division.

I don’t look at my brother, I stick to the subjects at hand and so does he.

It’s not until we’re wrapping up all we can do today without paperwork from this lawyer or permits from that city official that he lets out a long breath, “Roman.”

“Mason.” I square my shoulders giving my brother a hard stare across the table from where we’ve been working. “Let’s not do this today.”

“Why not?”

“Because it will end with more bruises.”

Leo has been mostly watching us from the corner. He runs the nightclubs so he’s well aware of most of the business particulars we’ve been discussing.

But unlike Leo of old, he seems content to do his part and stay out of any trouble that doesn’t concern him.

Marriage suits him unlike any man I’ve ever met. Which is so fucking crazy, because he’s the last man I expected to ever see domestically content.

Mason lets out a long breath. “Look. I’m sorry, all right?”

I stare at my brother. “For which part?”

“All of it. I’m sorry I left you to care for Mom.”

“You’ve already said that.”

Leo sits up straighter. “I’m sorry about that one too. Mason has a good excuse, being in Massachusetts putting the pieces in place that built all of this. I was just a fucking selfish asshole who was having fun chasing pussy around casinos.”

That puts a half smile on my face. “I appreciate the honesty, Leo.”

Mason shakes his head. “In some ways, you held the greatest burden of us all, holding up Mom and Arabella while we were both starting our lives.”

I don’t say anything, there isn’t anything to say. Mason built this business. Leo, he took the brunt of our father’s death. We all did our part.

But Mason isn’t done. “I thought I was giving you a gift, grooming you to take over.” He lets out a long breath. “But when I met Charlotte, I told myself that you were ready to take on a greater role, but it wasn’t about you at all. It was about me.”

He winces and I know that he is truly sorry and owning up to his part. “I didn’t mean to hurt Maddie in my effort to keep you free to run Kincaid Enterprises. But for the record, both of you are capable.”

I cock my head to the side, surprised to hear Mason say anything like this.

But Leo fills in. “Now? Now you think I’m capable of taking over? I wanted more responsibility for years.”

Mason laughs. “It’s funny how you often get what you want when you give up on it, isn’t it? I didn’t think I’d ever marry…”

“Me either,” I mutter as I run a hand through my hair. “But I never wanted to be at the head of Kincaid Enterprises either.”

Mason shakes his head. “What you said about selling the casinos…it would be a major loss of revenue.”

“And a serious reduction of problems,” Leo fills in. “The clubs too. Every time we find ourselves on the wrong side of the law, it begins with a club or a casino.”

Mason scrubs at his jaw. “I started with casinos because it was what we knew. We had contacts, family connections. But also, I wanted revenge on the people who killed Dad, I wanted to control the world that crumbled ours.” He shakes his head. “But we could let them go.”

I nod. “Maybe. Let’s wait to make a decision until we know where Luke is. If he’s all right…”

“He’s all right,” Mason whispers and my head jerks up.

“What?”

“I heard from him. He’s alive. So is Kate.”

All the air rushes from my lungs as I slump against the table, feeling like I just got punched in the gut. “That scrappy fucker.” And then a sound like a half groan, half yell breaks from my lips. I’m so fucking relieved.

“Where is he?”

“Colorado,” Mason answers. “I’m having him transported to the family compound now. We’ll all be together soon.”

I open my mouth, not even sure what to say. I get to tell Luke I’m getting married. Get to have him stand next to me…

I feel light enough to walk on water. But before I can ask Mason more details, his phone rings and he picks up before it’s even finished a single ring. “Charlotte.”

I hear her sharp tone, clipped words. “Sweetheart—” Mason tries to break in.

“But—” he tries again.

“It’s not?—”

My brows go up. I’ve never seen Mason unable to get a word in edgewise.

Finally, he lets out a heavy sigh. “It’s already done. The house is bought and Leo, Roman, and I are making plans for the future together.”

The line is quiet.

“Please come to Vegas, sweetheart. I can’t go another night without you.”

I’ve never heard Mason say anything like that either.

Charlotte starts talking again, and I stop listening, about to turn away, when his brow furrows. “Charlotte, I’ve got to call you back.”

He clicks over before Charlotte even responds. “Hello?”

His eyes meet mine going wide with fear.

“What is it?” I spit, my body tensing.

Mason hangs up the phone a second later. “It’s Vigo and Vincent. They’re out of jail.”

“How? There wasn’t a hearing.”

“Some legal loophole,” he grabs his jacket off the back of his chair. “But I think it’s best we go get Maddie. She’s in the one place the Vendettis know where to look.”

“Fuck,” I spit as I dial my phone, already sprinting for the elevator. If either of those assholes touch a hair on her head, I’ll see them burn in hell.