Chapter 25

Maria

What the hell had just happened? Was the man so protective of me that he was going to kill anyone who dared threaten me?

I bit my lip, tingling all over from the thought. It was difficult to remain angry with Daniel, especially since he'd been so amazing today. I sat down on the bed next to Zorro, rubbing the baby's head. "Why don't we put on your new collar? Would you like that?" I'd dumped everything on the bed, allowing him to choose his toy. I felt more than a little ache inside, my heart light yet weighted. The combination made me feel sick to my stomach.

Loving the man was far too easy. Hating the situation kept a lump in my throat.

I laid down on the bed, tickling Zorro, the pup's squeals not allowing me to notice or hear the door had been opened. Only when I sat up did I notice Daniel standing in the doorway, staring at me with the ferocity of a lion.

Maybe he was furious with me for what I'd said in front of his men. I'd been told in no uncertain terms there was strict protocol in how the wife of a mafia leader acted. I'd also heard how the marriages were handled in Italy, almost all of them arranged. The wives were protected, always shadowed. They didn't have jobs, had few friends. They weren't allowed to go out of the house without an escort and they certainly never talked back to their husbands for fear of more brutal punishments than had been inflicted on me.

I'd laughed at Maria, telling her there was no way I could tolerate such bullshit. The flash of anger in her eyes had quickly been replaced with a sense of relief that she wasn't entering into a forced marriage.

Neither one of us said anything but where there'd been such warmth in the man's eyes before, there was nothing but coldness now. I swallowed hard as he closed the door behind him, immediately walking to the window.

The tension was eerie, terrifying. Seconds ticked by. A full minute. I finally stood, pressing my fingers across my mouth to keep from making a single sound.

He took a deep breath, shoving one hand into his pocket, planting his other palm against the glass. "In my line of work, I've become very good at knowing when someone is lying to me. It's something my father called an art a long time ago, a skill I needed to learn in order to keep the peace. I'd laughed at him saying that all actors were damn good liars making you believe they are who you want them to be. But he was right. Once I'd learned that… art, I became a much better leader. After displaying my abilities only a few times, it was almost miraculous that enemies stopped trying to attack us."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because you wanted to learn everything about me. Of course I've heard that your father bragged about the number of men he'd killed rivaled his conquests of the woman who flocked to his side. And still, I'd wanted to keep you from the ugliness of the business."

"I appreciate that."

"Do you, Maria?" He turned around to face me. The way he'd stated my name brought another cold shiver directly down my spine.

"Yes. My father did enjoy bragging to almost anyone. I hated it."

"But you got used to it."

"Certainly. Sadly, I heard it all."

He smirked. "That's why you insisted on being told about my business activities." It wasn't a question.

"Maybe so." A sick feeling pooled in my stomach, my mind spinning with horrible possibilities.

He took a step closer, which caused me to take a step away. His smirk meant he knew he was frightening me and was enjoying doing so. "Then you won't mind me telling you that I slaughtered twenty men yesterday, painting the inside of an apartment red."

I was shocked he'd go that far. "Don't do that. Don't." I could feel the color draining from my face.

"I thought you'd heard it all." He grabbed my wrist and before I could yelp, he wrapped his other hand around my throat, shoving me roughly against the wall so savagely the wind was knocked out of me.

"Stop. Stop."

"Why should I, Maria? Or should I call you by your real name, Margot Rollins?"

Oh, God. Oh, no. No. No!

Shock tore through me, enough so I stopped fighting him altogether. Seconds later, I remembered the horror of hearing what Maria had told me, the threats she'd made. That made continuing to lie a little bit easier. I had to do it. I had to keep the charade going. "That's crazy. What are you talking about?"

He squeezed until I coughed, lowering his head until his hot breath tickled my ear. "Be very careful, my wife, what you say to me."

"Why? Are you going to slaughter me as well?"

There was a moment I was certain he was going to snap my neck. When he nipped my ear then laughed, backing away, I tried to keep from showing how terrified I was.

He yanked something from his pocket, tossing it in my direction. I watched it float to the floor, stooping seconds later after he returned to his perch at the window. When I opened the wrinkled sheet, I almost passed out.

It was a photograph of me with the real Maria at the airport.

Keep up the act. You can do this. You must do this.

"What the hell is this?" I asked, trying to make my voice sound as rebellious as it had been almost the entire time I'd been with him.

He laughed, the sound so bitter it brought a tremendous wave of sadness. "That's not you?"

I had to weigh this carefully. "Yes, that's me right there. I was seeing my parents off at the airport. That's where I went."

"And the other girl?"

"I don't know. There was no one else there. Leonardo would have run them off. He's aggressive that way."

"Fascinating. So what you're telling me is that Liam O'Banyon didn't put you up to this, finding you in a small theater where you had a lead performance in a play. Or did he have breakfast at the sleazy diner where you worked?"

I was so fucking screwed. The terror was reaching entirely new heights, my mind unable to process who'd told him. And why. "I don't know who you're talking about."

"You don't?" As he spun around again, I was certain the man was going to put a bullet in my brain. "Tell me the truth and it will be much easier on you."

"I am telling you the truth. I was born and raised in Sicily, going to school in Paris. Until I arrived here in the United States, forced into a marriage with someone I didn't know, I'd never stepped foot inside this country."

"How fascinating. I could swear you have a Midwest accent."

"That's crazy. Absolutely crazy."

He stared at me for what seemed like forever, taking another deep and ragged breath before moving toward the bed. "I'm going to give you some time to think about the answers you're going to provide, Margot. As you might understand now that you've known me for this period of time, I do not handle treachery well. I've told you before that above all I value truth and loyalty. That's what allows trust to be built."

When he scooped Zorro into his arms, I flew toward him in a rage. "Don't you dare hurt my puppy. Don't you fucking dare!" I managed to issue a hard crack of my hand across his face, immediately shocked I'd done something so brazen. Gasping, I backed away as rage flew into his eyes. "Please don't hurt him. Please don't. You can do anything you want to me but don't hurt my puppy."

"You did this. Remember that."

As soon as he walked out the door, I broke into sobs, falling to the floor.

Daniel

I heard her sobs and closed my eyes, leaning against the wall. She was begging me not to hurt her puppy. The girl cared more about the dog than she did about what I might do to her. That was a testament to her resolve and character.

And dear God, that made me realize whoever she was, I'd fallen deeply in love with her. Fuck this shit. Fuck the O'Banyons. They'd crossed a line that would mean their deaths without hesitation.

Exhaling, I pulled Zorro close to me, leaning over and kissing his face. He was already squirming in my hold. He was definitely his mother's dog. I almost laughed at the thought. What the hell was I supposed to do now? Of course, I would need to run my own check on the information, the entire situation ridiculous. But there was more than a solid possibility what I'd been told was true.

Maria, or Margot as I should start thinking of her, was a damn good actress if I said so myself. Her ability to fall into a role that moved way past her small theater acting abilities was incredible indeed. Academy Award-winning performance. However, it wasn't going to last. She would tell me the truth or so I hoped.

I'd never hurt a woman in my life and while I had no intentions of doing so now, I was way out of my league in knowing how to handle the situation. However, the moment my men and the family enemies found out the entire Thorn regime had been duped, not only would we be the laughingstock of every single crime syndicate, there would be a hard push to enter our territory. And what the hell would the Brotherhood have to say?

Fuck. Fuck.

Instead of heading to my office, I moved into the kitchen, easing the pup onto the floor. I hadn't realized he had a ball in his mouth and almost immediately, he brought it to me. The little tyke was a bundle of energy and love. I crouched down, tugging it from his mouth. As I pitched it across the room, I fell into an ugly haze.

I'd never been this uncertain of what to do in my entire life. I'd need to talk with Constantine. This would need to be a family decision. Even that would embarrass the fuck out of me.

I tossed the ball a few more times before it seemed I'd tuckered the poor pup out. When he lay on the floor, I moved to the back door, needing some fresh air. She really believed I was going to do something terrible to Zorro. She didn't know me at all. Then again, I could say the same thing about her.

What I'd read in the information had been admirable, including the fact she'd worked three jobs. Why provide such damning information now? Why push that in front of my face? What kind of a twisted game was Liam playing? Did he want me to kill her? No, it was something else altogether. As soon as I walked outside, I took a deep breath, fighting the rage that needed a release.

The light breeze and intense scents of whatever fucking flowers were in bloom did little to ease my bad mood. I'd locked her in like some bird ready to fly the coop. Nothing made any sense any longer.

I had a terrible feeling that whatever was going on was just the beginning of the game being played. I'd lied. I wasn't good at being a chess player or any other kind of game for that matter. If my men didn't find Liam and his family tonight, I would go hunting myself.

I flexed both hands, fisting one then rubbing my palm. I was sick inside, wanting nothing more than to have not been told.

When I sensed a presence a few seconds later, I bristled much like she'd done. My wife. The woman I didn't even know.

"We have another issue and you're not going to like it."

Kane's voice was full of trepidation.

"You damn well better me here to tell me the O'Banyons were found."

"They were but not the way you think."

"Meaning what?" I finally turned around to face him. He was holding up his phone, the look on his face sheepish.

"Just take a look. I just got this from Mark."

I grabbed it from his hand, flipping through the photographs he'd been sent. The photographs provided by another soldier were grisly even in my world, the charred remains of several vehicles obviously torched. The last photograph was the most telling. There was no doubt the man in the back passenger seat was Liam O'Banyon. "What the fuck?"

"Yeah, that's what I said. The entire family and the men protecting him were hit. There's barely anything left but Ronin was taken out as well."

If this was the case, then who the hell was attempting to extort the Thorn family? What the fuck was I missing? What if this had more to do with the Rossi family? I rubbed my jaw, trying to determine how best to handle this shitstorm I'd been handed.

"I'm headed to Constantine's house. Stay in control here. If you see anything out of the norm, you will call me."

"What about the woman?" As soon as he asked the question, he instantly regretted it, throwing up his hands. "Don't worry. I'll take care of your wife."

"Just leave her in her room."

"And the puppy?"

"She's not to see him."

As I walked into the house to grab my keys, for the first time in my life, I hated what I was.

Including the man I'd become.

The Zoom call only had a few of the Brotherhood members on it given it was such short notice, but the silence was just as deafening as I knew it would be.

Both Constantine and I had drinks in our hand, both still trying to process what we'd learned about Margot as well as Liam and his family's ugly demise. There were far too many things that made no sense.

"Liam has half a dozen enemies," Brogan said. "A number of them stating without issue they wanted the man dead. You can't assume anything at this point."

"We'll need a list of them," Constantine told him.

"Will do. However, let me be the first to say, I'm not unhappy the fucker is dead," Brogan added. "He truly thought he could bring his thugs in from Ireland and take over every Irish mafia organization within America. From what I understand, he also had his sights set on Italy and Spain as well, his brother remaining in charge in Ireland."

I made mental note that they wanted to come into Italy, not that it was unusual. Given Italy was considered the true beginning of the mafia world, almost every syndicate wanted to control the country.

"What about the Rossis?" Gabriel asked. "Is there any possibility they are working with or for someone?"

"Not a chance. The six families of Italy are all powerful entities. Besides, I had the man checked out thoroughly. He's on the up and up and has a daughter named Maria. Everything checked out completely prior to any party signing the contract." Constantine was just as confused and angry as I was.

Exhaling, I eased down in one of the seats, studying the group of men. "Phoenix. Do you have anyone close enough to Sicily to see if there if their real daughter is being hidden for some reason?"

Phoenix snorted. "I assure you that Giovanni Rossi isn't stupid enough to allow his real daughter, if there is one, to remain in the open and hiding her would be a huge risk. I suggest you check the fingerprints of the woman you married. That will tell you everything you need to know."

"But not why this ruse was put into place," I told the small group. "There was no indication of that with the information we currently have. Why do something like this when allowing their real daughter to marry would absolutely strengthen their organization?" I was talking out loud more than anything.

"That's a good question. I suggest you have the woman staying in your house provide that information." Constantine's voice was darker than usual.

I nodded, hating what would need to be done. If she didn't talk willingly, I'd need to use methods that would rip me apart inside. I wasn't entirely certain I could do that. "Will you check with your contacts and see if there is word about the Rossi family?" I asked all of them.

"Will do," Gabriel answered first. "Are you still planning on taking over the Cosa Nostra?"

I laughed, glancing toward my brother. "The truth is I think that needs to happen sooner versus later. Rossi might not like it but if he's in the middle of this, he played a bad hand."

"We'll have your back if needed," Brogan said for the group.

"I appreciate that," I told them.

Constantine sighed. "We talk again in a day or so. If you find anything concrete, let us know."

"I'll check with everyone I know in Europe," Phoenix added.

"Good. Maybe there is something going on within the Italian borders we don't know about."

I walked away while he said a few other things to the members, still trying to understand what the fuck was going on. When he approached a minute or so later, I could tell he was as troubled as I was.

"I need to ask you a question and I want an honest answer." Constantine's voice was subdued.

"Sure. Why not," I told him.

"Do you love her?"

I laughed, an ache still remaining in my gut. And in my heart. "Does it matter?"

"Yes, it does. For whatever reason, the Rossis placed Margot in your life. I doubt it was done with malice. They took a significant risk in doing so as well. After you find the reason, you'll know what you need to do, but I suggest you consider it carefully. So answer the question. Do you love her?"

I forced myself to turn and face him. The silence wasn't lost on him, a smile curling across his lips. "More than I thought I could love anyone."

"Then my suggestion is you return home and have an honest conversation with her. If she is an actress, then there's more to this story than some incredible sum of money. From what little I do know about the girl who's inside your home, she's not stupid. She wouldn't risk you discovering the truth without a damn good reason because she knows exactly what could happen to her."

He had a good point. "Agreed. What if she doesn't talk?"

"Oh, come on, brother. I've seen the two of you together already. Tell her how you feel. That will do the trick. It always works with me."