CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CONNOR

"C all her back. Put her on speaker." I tell Mia as Mack and Summer join us in the living room.

Mateo, their son, is in the movie room watching something on Disney.

Loudly.

Thank god for soundproofing.

"She probably just wants to check in on my pregnant friend who was rushed to the hospital." Mia frowns. "Which never happened."

She hated lying to Gianna and I've had to remind her multiple times the reason we are doing this. We had to get her out of the bar so Braxton could do his thing.

As in, go undercover.

Which he's done at warp speed, surprising all of us.

But it says a lot about my wife's character that she hates lying and cares about the Baldassare princess. That she was once in her shoes is part of it. I totally get it.

Well, I don't, but I'm trying to.

Being married is a job. It's much easier managing soldiers who just follow instruction.

Mia? She's more likely to disregard anything I say if it's an order.

Sexy little brat.

"Or she might be wanting information on Braxton on behalf of her father," Mack says. "We need to listen in."

Mia and Summer share a look I don't understand. It's not like we are asking her to discuss her menstrual damn cycle.

"Mia," I press.

"Fine." She sighs, pulling her phone out.

While the rest of us take seats around the glass coffee table—Summer on Mack's knee—Mia paces in front of the electric fire as the call connects.

"Mia," Gianna's Italian American accent fills the room.

"Hey, Gia." Mia's voice holds a smile, but she then bites her lip. "Sorry I didn't reply earlier."

"That's okay. I've just finished yoga," Gianna replies and the noise in the background gives the impression she's on the move.

"Did I catch you at a bad time? Are you driving?" Mia asks her.

"No, no. I have an instructor come to the house. He is just leaving," she says. "Now, how is your friend?"

Mia shoots me a told you so look.

I shrug.

Then glance at Mack, who is looking my way with a smirk. Dick .

"Fortunately, nothing to worry about. A false alarm." Mia turns away from us. She hates lying. She can't look us in the eye.

It makes me happy.

An honest woman is all I ever wanted.

Well, that's not true. I only ever wanted Mia.

"That is good news. I was disappointed we didn't get much time together, but it was nice to see you."

"Same," Mia says. "I hope Braxton behaved."

Mack snorts quietly across from me.

"No, he did not—"

"Oh, no," Mia interrupts. "I'm sorry."

"And just quietly, I am glad he didn't." Gianna purrs.

I rub my forehead and hope she doesn't give us any more details than that. Mia faces me and I can see in her eyes I am about to be disappointed.

"Really?" she prods, and it's clear she wants me to suffer.

I brought this on myself.

I shake my head, but my wife smiles innocently, and I don't know if I want to throttle her or kiss her.

Both might be fun, later.

"Yes, my god. Mia, who is this man? He is divine. The things he does to me."

Mack covers his face as Summer chuckles.

"I guess I left at the right time." Mia giggles. "I'm happy you had a good night."

"Good? No sweetie, it was out of this world erotic. I know you're a married woman, but my god, he is like Michelangelo with his tongue."

Summer and Mia share a look. It's very different from the one Mack and I share.

Enough.

I lift my hand, then swirl it in the air. All wrap this shit up. But apparently the universe hates me.

"Do tell," Mia says, looking at me pointedly.

I guess I deserve this.

"You know a girl never kisses and tells." Gianna giggles.

Except she has.

I want to point it out, but I have to stay quiet.

"Braxton is currently staying with us at the house, and I was thinking we should double date."

What?

Mia's face drops, and she looks at me for guidance. I glance at Mack, who is as surprised as I am. I know both our minds are racing, looking for the risk and opportunities in this.

"We can come back into the city. I know how busy your husband is," Gianna says.

No, she doesn't.

She has no idea who I really am.

And never will.

"Oh, that would be lovely. I will need to check his calendar. When are you thinking?" Mia asks her, leaving the door open for us to accept or decline.

Good girl.

"Well, he might be leaving the country. It's last minute, but how do you feel about tonight? I'll have to check with Brax, but I'm sure he'd love to see you again."

Brax? Mack mouths.

I shrug.

There are holes in the plan. I can't be seen out in public with another member of a crime family. The cleanup my PR team did after the Mancini slaughter at our wedding is still ongoing.

I nod and point at the floor.

Here? Mia mouths

I nod again.

Mack raises his hand and Summer twists around, surprised.

"You and Mateo can go home, but I'm not leaving Connor alone." He whispers so quietly I barely pick it up.

Summer is a trained soldier, so I'm not surprised when she shakes her head.

"We're having people over tonight," Mia tells Gianna. "But...why don't you and Braxton join us?"

"Are you sure?" Gianna asks, sounding delighted.

"Yes. Our chef is amazing. Please. Connor would love to see Braxton again, I'm sure of it."

"I'm so excited. Yes. We would love to," she says, then asks. "Seven?"

"Yes. Perfect. See you then, Gianna," Mia says then ends the call. She drops her hand holding the phone and stares at me. "This is a bad idea."

It probably is.

But it is a wonderful opportunity to get Braxton out of the Baldassare house for the night and keep him safe.

Undercover work is hard.

He had no time to prepare, and I want him out if we can.

He's done enough to line up the cargo and deserves some breathing room.

As much as he'll get with Gianna present.

At best, it will give all the Dark Kings a chance to talk.

"Can we backtrack to the Michelangelo tongue part?" Summer asks, then laughs as Mack tickles her.

"You need me to show you real talent?" Mack growls in her ear, and Mia's sparkling eyes find mine.

"Not a word out of you." I growl as she grins.

I stand and take the phone from her, kissing her mouth as I grip her face. "Good work."

Mia melts into my chest. "Looks like we have a dinner party to organize. Are we inviting all the Dark Kings?"

"Yes."

Always.

We do everything together.