Chapter 24

Daniel

The bright orange sun was already shifting to a downward pattern before we'd left the house. I'd never been the kind of man to enjoy lying in bed with coffee, allowing the comfort of being under the covers lying next to a voluptuous naked woman to entice me enough to shift my patterns.

I was a very early riser, usually four-thirty in the morning, working out for an hour before taking a hot shower. But I was almost always in my office by six or on the road when necessary. Maybe my work ethic had been instilled in me during the story I'd told Maria about the man I'd killed. I couldn't seem to get it out of my mind.

It was strange that at nearly forty years old, I'd lived longer than a good number of my ancestors who'd worked in the business. It had always seemed that I was living on borrowed time from the moment I'd spilled the first pints of blood. I'd tried not to look back at the incident as anything but what it was, business, but it had been far more personal than that.

Did I feel guilty for taking the Don's son? Not even a little bit. The fucker had deserved to die for what he'd done to my sister. It was something she'd never talked about, acting as if she was just fine when I'd known the bastard had violated her more than she'd wanted to let on.

Why I was thinking about it now had a simple answer. Because I'd never been so open with anyone else in my life. Not even Constantine or Danika.

Maria. The night before had been incredible, more so than I'd believed a man like me should be allowed. Everything about the way she'd responded to seeing the puppy now named Zorro, a new family member, had been exactly what I'd hoped for. The light in her eyes had squelched anger and darkness from slaughtering every single man inside the apartment building.

While I was well aware the place had already been scrubbed, the men's bodies taken to several dump sites and new construction, several of their bodies now preserved permanently in concrete, I didn't feel the usual high. There was no continued rush of adrenaline like when being around Maria.

She wasn't just the light to my darkness. She'd also managed to calm the demons completely. How had that been possible in such a short period of time? It was her lust for life, her verve and refusal to take any of my crap that kept me excited every day.

I'd also wanted to return home to her. It was crazy, but exactly what Constantine had tried to explain had kept him going after all the years of turmoil within our regime.

Now I stood in the middle of a big box pet store, marveling at the way Maria was keeping careful watch of Zorro inside the shopping basket as she moved from one aisle to the next. I dragged my hand across my stubbled jaw, already considering growing a beard just because she'd mentioned the night before how much she adored the scruff on my face.

I remained amused by watching her, and my reactions as well. The basket was filled with toys and treats, and another bed because the one I'd purchased wasn't fluffy enough. Now she was making what I hoped would be her final selections since we'd been inside the single store for almost an hour.

Two weeks ago, I might have shot anyone who dared tell me that I'd be wound around a woman's finger. Now? Well, I certainly seemed to enjoy reminding her that I was the big man in charge. We'd curled up together after I'd been tasked with taking Zorro out for his morning walk, doing nothing but petting him and basking in the warmth of the bed and our heated bodies. After that, I'd fucked her long and hard in the shower, something I had thoroughly enjoyed.

So much so, I'd already considered stealing her away to the store's bathroom, having my way with her again.

Somehow, I knew she'd drive a stake through my heart if I dared attempt it.

"What do you think about this one?" Her eyes were full of joy as she held up the fourth collar she'd selected.

"I think royal purple is perfect for a pup named Zorro. His Majesty." As if on cue, the puppy barked his approval.

"Well then, purple it is. You're your daddy's baby. Aren't you?" she cooed and my thoughts remained filthy.

I waited as she took her time selecting a leash, noticing Brock as he entered the store. He remained near us, scanning the area. That meant something had occurred he didn't like. I'd sent Kane on business, handling a slight situation in one of the casinos, Brock and another soldier following us while we did our shopping.

Fortunately, Maria didn't notice he'd entered the store, or his presence no longer bothered her.

"Are you about ready?" I asked, doing my best to keep the conversation casual.

"You're rushing me while getting your son what he needs?" Her tone was entirely different than the day before, no longer terse every other moment.

Like most men, I'd turned into a single-minded creature but it had almost never centered around pleasing a woman. What I knew would overshadow the day might be my deep need for continued revenge. I'd also sent men to the address in Cincinnati only to hear during the middle of the night that not only had the family left, there was no trace of their whereabouts.

What I found strange was that I was damn good at reading people and the enemy soldier hadn't lied to me. That could mean Liam had been tipped off. Even stranger still was the fact the man wasn't the kind to run or hide. Even if he was aware his soldiers were missing in action, he'd deploy four times that many men to come to his aid.

Something was off. I sensed it more now than ever.

"My son needs his nap," I told her.

She laughed at first then narrowed her eyes. "Is something wrong?"

"I just need to handle some business today, my darling wife. That will keep our son in the fancy digs you've already spoiled him with." I took her arm, unable to keep from petting the puppy, but I was determined to guide her from the store as soon as possible.

There was a significant level of danger all around us. I knew that by instinct.

As soon as we headed toward Brock, he stepped aside, letting us pass, but not before pinning me with his eyes. Brock was nothing if not the kind of man who wore his emotions on his sleeve when he was concerned about something.

But I'd also seen him in action, ready to take a bullet without hesitation. He was a man I knew would go far within my ranks.

"Business?" she asked.

I pulled out my wallet, handing her one of my credit cards. "I'll be right there."

"Hmmm…" She gave Brock a heated look before pushing the cart away.

"What's the issue?"

Brock threw a look in her direction before inching closer. "I noticed a dark sedan that drove by twice. It might be nothing, but I wanted you to know."

"And it might be something. We're almost done here."

"Also, Kane called me. He wanted to ensure you were on your way home after this."

I was surprised my lieutenant hadn't called me directly. Granted, I had told him I didn't want to be bothered. "Did he say why he felt it necessary?"

"He was sent something you need to see. That's all he told me."

"Okay. We weren't planning on going anywhere else. Stay by the door."

"Yes, sir."

After he walked out, I headed to the register where she was just starting the checkout process.

"Something is wrong. Isn't it?" she asked.

"It's possible we've been followed." I kept my voice down, refusing to draw any attention. However, it was obvious I'd been recognized by several people inside the store. It bothered the hell out of me today.

"You started a war, didn't you?"

I peered down at her after she asked the question, laughing deeply. "You do understand more than you let on."

She placed the last of the items on the counter before turning to face me. "Just enough to realize I don't understand how you could live with danger surrounding you every day. Don't tell me. Brock already did. You get used to it and you're not always in danger."

I didn't want to tell her that the only reason for that was I'd been surrounded a good portion of my life by a cocoon. That wasn't what she needed to hear.

The purchase concluded, the credit card shoved into my pocket, I guided her to the door, stopping both her and the cart before doing so. "Brock is going to take the items to my trunk. Take Zorro and hold him close. Do not try and get away from me."

"Now, you're scaring me." She gathered the pup into her hands, snuggling his furry body against her neck. I could smell her increasing fear and for about a million reasons, all of them surprising, I felt a weightlessness in my chest, the need to protect her stronger than before.

Good. I was glad she was beginning to understand. I motioned to Brock, who immediately grabbed the cart, walking ahead of us enough that if anyone tried to fire off a weapon from directly in front of us, he'd take the bullet in his chest.

I unlocked the doors from thirty feet away, rushing her toward the passenger seat. One she and the pup were safely tucked away, I studied the area, scanning the street for a full thirty seconds. Then I noticed a dark sedan heading our way far too slowly for the forty-five mile per hour limit. "Is that the vehicle you noticed?"

"That's the one," Brock told me as he flanked my side. He still had the now empty cart in front of him. The car had smoky windows, a dead giveaway to those in the business I was in. When he was forced to stop at a traffic light, I reached into my pocket for my weapon.

"Stay here. I'll be right back."

"Wait a minute, boss."

"Do as I say." No one was going to fuck with me or with my wife. I took long strides toward the vehicle, keeping the weapon out of sight. When I was within a few inches, I tapped on the driver's window, ready to shoot the glass if necessary.

The driver rolled it down and I heard a hysterical cry the moment I shoved the barrel of my gun into the pudgy man's face.

"Drive, Ernie. Just drive."

I was able to dart a glance inside before grimacing. I'd terrified an older couple who were likely nothing more than tourists. Backing away, the man stepped on the gas and was damn lucky he wasn't struck in the middle of the intersection.

After taking a deep breath, I headed back, giving Brock a hard look.

"Better safe than sorry, boss," he told me.

While he was right, I wasn't used to acting out of passion. When I eased inside, I felt Maria's fiery gaze studying me intently. Where the night before had taken us two steps ahead in our push-pull relationship, witnessing my irrational act had taken us a giant leap backward. I felt it in my bones.

"It's business, Maria."

"It's no way to live, Daniel."

With that, we rode in silence on the short drive home. She continued her silent treatment after she'd climbed out, allowing Zorro time to romp on the grass and in the woods surrounding the house.

Kane drove up seconds later. As he eased onto the pavement, I noticed he was expressionless behind his dark shades. He stood where he was before bothering to close his car door. There was something different about the way he was looking at my wife, glaring at her instead. That was easy to distinguish by his furrowed forehead. I found myself bristling when he walked closer.

"Be careful, Kane. As my wife, she's to receive the same amount of respect as you provide to me as a requirement of your employ. Is that clear?"

"I don't think you'll say that to me after you hear what I've learned."

As with all time spent in her presence, Maria had a way of keeping me off kilter. Without hesitation, I had my hand wrapped around his throat before I knew what I was doing.

"Hear me, Kane. One more word and I'll rip out your tongue with a pair of pliers."

"What are you doing?" Maria demanded as she confronted us, her face turning red from the level of anger boiling in her system.

I squeezed my fingers, digging them into Kane's thick neck as she inched closer, hissing as only she could do. "Handling disrespect toward my wife, which won't be tolerated."

"You almost killed two tourists likely trying to find a diner for lunch. Now, you want to kick your Capo's ass. You're crazy, Daniel. Just when I thought I might learn to like you. And so you both know, I can take care of myself."

As she stormed off, I realized I was still ready to punch the man's face. However, I'd never allowed anyone to talk to me that way. I would need to have a word with her later. Dammit. She was right. I was nuts.

"I'm sorry, boss," Kane choked out. At least to his credit, he didn't dare try to take a swing at me. That would keep him from getting the shit knocked out of him.

Brock glared at both of us as he gathered the items from the trunk, even grumbling under his breath as he took the packages inside.

I let Kane go, immediately looking away. "Whatever you have to show me, be very careful how you do it." With that, I stormed through the door.

Almost as soon as Maria was inside, she selected one of the bags Brock had placed on the marble floor, taking it and the pup with her up the stairs without looking back at me.

After that, I took long strides into my office, immediately heading for the bar. I had to get control, or I'd lose my cool with Liam once the man was found. I poured a hefty amount of whiskey, foregoing the ice. After taking a gulp, I slammed my hand into the wood, knocking off and shattering two glasses.

My temper was definitely getting the better of me at this point. All because I was falling hard for a woman I should be using as a possession and nothing more, a bargaining chip. Everything had changed in the fucking blink of an eye.

And that pissed me off almost as much as everything else.

When I heard the door close a few seconds later, I threw a nasty glare toward the sound.

Kane remained where he was by the door, lifting his eyebrows before gazing down at the mess I'd created. In turn, I stepped on the glass on purpose before moving toward my desk. I couldn't help but notice he'd kept his distance.

"You're in love with her. Aren't you?" Kane's question surprised me.

I shook my head more to myself, noticing he had something in his hand. "I don't know."

"It's written all over your face and seen in your actions, Dan. You bought her a puppy, for fuck's sake."

"What's it to you?" I took another swig of my drink.

"It's making what I'm about to show you that much harder. Why did you agree to marry her?"

"Why?" I laughed at his question. "Because it was the right thing to do." Because it was all about gaining more power. Fuck me.

"You'd never met her before. Right?"

"You should know by now that often marriages in my line of work are arranged through outside parties."

"This is the fucking United States, not Italy."

I swirled the liquid in my glass. "Maybe not but I'll be in control of the Cosa Nostra soon enough."

He opened his eyes wide. "Fuck. That's why."

"That's why what? Get to the fucking point, Kane. I'm not in any goddamn mood to play games at this point. And where the fuck is Liam hiding?"

There was something entirely different about the way he was looking at me as he walked closer, his eyes never leaving mine. I'd known him for long enough to realize when he was truly bothered by what he had to tell me.

"The guys have a lead on him. They're heading there now."

"Fucking about goddamn time. Now, what is this shit about?"

"This was on the hood of the car when I came out from the casino."

"What is it?"

"It's something you need to look at. No, I didn't believe it at first either."

Every action tentative, he handed me the envelope.

"Do you have any idea who left it for you?"

"None. Do you want me to run it for fingerprints?"

"Whoever dropped whatever the bombshell is doesn't want to be found. There won't be any." I took it carefully into my hand, easing the drink down onto my desk. I had every reason to be cautious as whatever the contents, they were damning enough for my most trusted man to risk facing my wrath.

Sighing, a moment of exhaustion seemed to overtake everything else until I pulled the photographs from the envelope.

After looking from one to the other, I realized a cold chill was scouring my system like a Brillo pad used on my soul. When I lifted my gaze a full two minutes later, I was certain was going to have a heart attack. There were no words, no sense of what I was seeing, but my instinct told me that the last week had been nothing but a lie. Anger was ripe, my muscles twitching from the harsh reality of the ugly deception.

"I know what you're going to say, Dan. That it's doctored. That's what I thought too until I looked over the other information that came with the photographs. You should look at it."

His words of encouragement held a hint of sorrow, as if the man was solely responsible for ruining my life. No, whoever had concocted the game of deceit was behind the shutting down of my feelings. I pulled out the rest, flipping from one page to the next.

The chill remained, the rage becoming impossible to ignore. I tightened my fist around the envelope before grabbing my drink. In one gulp, I finished it. When I tossed the glass across the room against the wall, Kane let off a deep breath.

"Do you need me to handle it?"

I half laughed. "No, I think I can handle my wife. Find Liam. Now. This bullshit needs to end." I was such a fucking fool. I'd been played. No wonder Liam had disappeared. He'd believed he had a hold so deep and tight he'd learn enough to destroy us. Well, the game was up.

"Yes, sir. I'm sorry I had to bring you that, but you deserved to know the truth."

I nodded and took a deep breath. "You know, it's interesting. The thought of an arranged marriage had never entered my mind as it hadn't with Constantine. While I understood his reason for suggesting I consider taking a bride I didn't know, I never considered the fact the choice might be the right one for me."

There was no reason for me to be sharing my inner thoughts. I suppose I needed to express the truth that I was starting to feel something remotely close to being in love with the girl. What a crock of shit.

"I understand," he said. Maybe he should be the one to explain it to me including the fact of why I felt so close to… an imposter.

"Not a word of this to anyone and I do mean anyone. Is that clear?" I lifted my head, staring him directly in the eyes.

"Absolutely, boss. Not a word."

"Find the bastards. Check the airports and train stations. I need to know exactly where that son of a bitch is. Don't come back to me until you have something. Is that clear?"

"Crystal."

I grabbed one of the photographs, folding it in my hand, doing my best to keep from crumpling and forgetting it existed. Was I possibly clinging to the hope that the picture and the information was nothing but some sick ploy to direct my attention elsewhere so that the bastard and his son could swoop in and continue the war? Yeah, I was but I was no fool either.

There'd been too many discrepancies from what I'd read on the internet and the reality of what I'd faced the last week. Her actions weren't as expected. Her red scuffed tennis shoes, for God's sake. Her preferred affinity for horses and dogs, dirt and nature. Not fancy cars and jewels. Jesus. I'd been a fucking idiot all the way around.

There was no way I could allow this to go unpunished.

Without hurrying, I took the stairs two at a time.

What surprised me more than the brazen act of deception was the way I felt.

Broken and bitter.