Page 34 of Sins and Secrets

The apology is what cut deep.

All it translated to was that I’m not good enough for a man like him. That he’s sorry he ever took it that far with me.

My stomach tosses and turns as I get dressed before stooping to clean up the glass. I pick up the picture that had been in the broken frame, turning it over to see a young Alessio staring up at me. Beside him is my father, both men laughing like they’ve just heard the best joke in the world.

As I toss the glass into the garbage can, I can’t stop thinking about what I’ve done.

Though I can’t bring myself to regret the sex or the way I feel about Alessio, I can’t ruin his friendship with my father. Especially when I’m only here for another couple months before I leave.

I just have to keep my head about me for the next two months and then I can move on with my life.

12

ALESSIO

“How did the strike go?” Jovan asks, his voice raspy on the other end of the call. “Did you do enough damage to deter the little shit?”

I chuckle and lean back in the seat of my car. “I’ve heard that it went well but I’m on my way there now. Paolo’s largest importing ship sank, but several of his men and two of mine are dead. Davide is organizing a team for the recovery of my men’s bodies, but it should still be a few hours yet. We have to steer clear while the coast guard launches their investigation.”

The car comes to a stop at the edge of a pier. The driver drops the partition and I lean forward to look between the seats and out the front window.

“Looking at the wreck now,” I say, watching as Paolo stands on another pier, pacing back and forth while shouting at someone. “Paolo is here as well. Angry. He’s going to strike back soon, and I have no doubt that the loss of life will be even greater.”

“Have you thought about getting in contact with Christian Herrera?”

“I thought he was still laying low in Colombia for now?”

“It’s been years since he went down there. When he heard that Paolo was setting up camp in the no man’s land your mafia and his cartel have between Nashville and Atlanta, rumor is that he came back.”

“How reliable is this rumor?” I ask, though I’m dreading seeing Christian again. We’ve been tentative allies at best. He stays out of my way and I stay out of his.

“Well, I was speaking to him yesterday,” Jovan says. Something bangs in the background, and he sighs. “I swear Hadley is doing everything she can to annoy me today.”

I laugh and roll my eyes. “She is a little spitfire and you do have your hands full. How are mama and baby doing?”

“Still a few months left, but she’s started the nesting period. If I have to rearrange the house one more time, I’m going to go insane.”

“But you would do it anyway. I’ve never seen any man so whipped in my life.” My tone is teasing as I motion to the driver to leave the scene.

The last thing I need right now is the authorities approaching my car and sniffing around in my business.

The driver presses a button and the partition slides back into place. I run my hand through my hair as Jovan shouts something I can’t quite hear to Hadley in the background. I hear something that sounds a lot like fuck you and start laughing.

“So, her temper is still going strong,” I say, grinning as I shake my head. “You’re going to have your hands full soon. I’m willing to bet that your child is going to be a little replica of Hadley.”

“Heaven help us all,” Jovan says, though I’ve never heard him sound happier. “You know, one of these days, you’re going to find a woman who is going to wrap you around her little finger and there’s going to be nothing you can say or do to prevent it.”

There is no way that I’m going to tell him that woman already exists. Admitting that Billie has me wrapped around her finger — especially when I should be staying away from her — is only going to get me in trouble.

Although, the trouble might be worth it for the sex we had. Guilt still gnaws at me for fucking her in my office, but I can’t bring myself to regret it.

I want her.

I groan and tilt my head against the back of the seat. “I don’t need that in my life right now. With all the shit that’s going on, I need some time to get the business under control before even thinking about allowing another person to get close to me.”

“Alessio, I know that you’ve been through some shit, but it’s time to move on with your life. You’re allowed to be happy.”

“How about we talk about Herrera instead. You said that Christian had come back because Paolo was moving back into his territory. Does that mean that Paolo is recruiting from his territory and mine?”

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