CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

DANTE

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“We need an answer, Baldassare,” Connor says, reclining in his leather chair like this is any other day at the office for him.

It probably is.

In the other square on my screen sit Decker, Mack, Nathan, and Braxton. They’re wearing Barrett Security button-downs and making no effort to hide their tats or the valuable wristwatches on their arms.

I guess private security pays well.

Because I know they didn’t get rich being US Marines.

I should hate these guys. They’re responsible for my father’s death.

But I’m not stupid. Every day my father had a target on his head. Either from the other families, dangerous business partners in other countries, or the government.

Last night, I talked to Gianna for over an hour and discussed what the changes I’m proposing would mean to our family and Mama. We had the first honest conversation of our lives. I had no idea she was so unhappy. There were clues, in hindsight, but I didn’t know.

I realize that Braxton didn’t have to do too much work to win my sister’s heart and take her from our world. I said as much and her response was, “For your sake, I’m not going to repeat that.”

As if I’m scared of the bulked-up Marine.

I’m not. For the record.

But I have to admit, together, these five men are a powerful unit. I’m not going to become a Boy Scout suddenly and join their ranks, but partnering up helps them and helps me.

They say you can’t leave the mafia.

Well, I am the fucking mafia.

As head of the family, I get to choose what happens next. Without the funding of human trafficking, drugs, weapons and more, we’ll be forced to rely on the legit businesses financially.

It won’t cover the costs of our current lifestyle.

The mansion has no mortgage, but it’s an expensive property to maintain, run, and pay the staff...and men for security.

The truth is, the other families won’t let me downsize and go legit. My knowledge would be seen as a threat if I’m going clean.

If they don’t take us out, one of the Colombian drug lords likely would.

Hell, there are dozens of potential threats.

“What’s the hurry?” I grind out. Knowing I need to do this right...and fast when I do. “If the feds want my help, they can wait until I sort out my...affairs.”

“Get your girl, you mean,” Mack says.

Yes.

“I need to speak to my mother,” I reply. “I am not doing that over the phone.”

Connor slowly nods his head.

“I’ve thought about this, Dante. It's best if you leave the United States. It’s up to you, of course, but your face is too well-known. Not just authorities, but everyday people.”

“Think this will hit the news?” Decker asks him.

Fuck, they’re right.

If a mafia boss suddenly starts shutting down their operation, some journalist is going to pick it up. They sniff around regularly.

“Without a doubt,” Connor says.

“We can go to Italy. I have an uncle—”

“First place they’ll look.” Mack shakes his head. “Go somewhere no one will think to find you. New Zealand. Iceland. Fuck, even Scotland.”

New Zealand? I wonder if Adelina would want to live so far away. I wonder about many things. Like if she is thinking about me. Missing me. I wonder if we were born in a different world if she would have loved me.

If she does love me...now.

“Fuck. You’re right. Give me a few more days. This is a big fucking decision.” I push back.

I know the government wants the information from me as quickly as possible, but given they don’t have anything on me right now, I need to ensure I do this right, carefully, and when I am ready.

No way I’m having this conversation on the phone with my mother.

And I still want to speak to Adelina.

Whether I end up telling her what I’m doing or we say goodbye will be up to her.

Mostly.

Then I also need to consider Nick.

He’s never given me any indication that he wants another life. But will his life be at risk, or will he be able to join another family?

This might sound stupid, but he’s one hell of a gangster.

“I can help with the selling of your properties and businesses. Take them on temporarily and get some managers in there to run them,” Connor says. “If you choose.”

I lift my soda and take a slow sip.

Getting help like this is new. It’s in my DNA not to trust people outside our world. In a strange way, these men bridge the world of law and crime after what they’ve spent years doing.

So perhaps I do trust them.

“You really think you can use what I know to bring down all the families?” I ask.

Connor smirks darkly. “Yes. Because you’re going to consult to me. So don’t choose New Zealand. The time difference sucks.”

I snort.

“You’re a confident bastard, Barrett.”

If he thought I was going to work for him, he was wrong, but we would come to some kind of deal, eventually.

“Maybe. But without me, without the Dark Kings, you probably won’t survive the first step of your plan,” he replies, and I feel the weight of that heavy on my shoulders.

He’s offering me the full support of his team.

My eyes drift to Braxton.

“Consider my debt paid,” he says, his voice thick.

Jesus.

A lightbulb goes off. They’re doing this for him.

Semper fi.

“I’ll call you in two days,” I say and end the call.

Intrigued, I google the US Marine code of honor. I’ve heard of it, and never doubted it, but seeing it in action has blown my mind.

To mobsters, loyalty is everything. But our survival depends on it. And it’s drummed into us via fear.

This is different.

Google sheds some light. Semper fidelis—Latin for Always faithful is the motto of every Marine. It says it’s an eternal and collective commitment to the success of our battles, the progress of our Nation, and the steadfast loyalty to the fellow Marines we fight alongside.

During my search, I see another comment that stands out.

Once a Marine, always a Marine.

These men might have been discharged, but in their hearts that commitment stands.

I saved Braxton’s life.

Now he’s saving mine with the help of his brothers and, in doing so, eliminating his debt.

Owing your life to a don is on no one’s Christmas wish list, so I can understand why he’s helping me. Gianna would’ve been worried. She knows how it all works.

I sit back in the hotel room chair and stare out at the lights of the city. My team is on shifts, watching Addy while I make the biggest decision of my life.

My phone beeps.

I got it. Mikey’s message appears on my screen.

Good. Bring it straight to me.

I blow out a long breath.

Fuck, Addy is going to be so mad. But hopefully once she’s heard me out, she will forgive me, because I really don’t want to kidnap her again.

I’m not sure I could.

This time, I want her heart.

Not her body.