Page 61 of Sins and Secrets

“Alright. What do you want me to do when we get in there?” she asks as we head down the wooden boardwalk that leads from the parking lot to the boathouse.

“Just be quiet and watch. If something feels off to you, tell me immediately. We’ll call the meeting off and get out of here.”

I don’t want to have to walk away from this meeting. It’s the best chance that I have at being able to put an end to Paolo and his little mafia. I need Christian and Jovan’s help. While I already know Jovan is on my side, Christian is a wildcard.

“You think I’m going to know when things are going sideways?” Bille scoffs and shakes her head as I reach around her to knock on the door. “I don’t know these men.”

“You have a strong intuition. I trust you on this matter. If you think something is wrong with the meeting, you let me go and we’ll leave. I’m not going to risk both of our lives for this.”

“Alright. If there’s anything weird, I’ll let you know.”

“Do you have a gun with you?” I ask, though I know Jovan is going to take them and secure them in a safe.

Billie hikes her dress a little higher, showing off the thigh holster and the small gun in it. My cock hardens as I look at her, straining against my jeans.

I could skip this meeting and drag her back to bed with me. Or I could fuck her on the hood of my car with that holster still wrapped around her thigh.

There is something about seeing her armed and ready to kill that turns me on. She gives me a small smile and lets go of her dress. The door opens and Jovan stands there with a basket in his hands.

“Weapons.” He smiles and nods to Billie. “Nice to see you again. Hadley is already waiting in there to ask you a million questions.”

Billie smiles and takes out her gun. She tosses it into the basket before reaching up into her loose bun and pulling out a sheathed knife. Jovan arches an eyebrow, looking impressed as she tosses the knife into the basket.

“Anything else hiding?” he asks as I drop my guns into the basket.

Billie places one hand on my shoulder to steady herself while she lifts a foot. I watch as she pulls a knife out of the sole of the wedge and drops it in the basket.

“Is that all?” Jovan laughs and shakes his head. “I swear, if you pull out any more weapons, I’m going to have to wonder where you stash them all. Hell, I’ll have you teach my people how to hide them.”

Billie grins. “That was the last one.”

“Well then, come inside and make yourselves at home. There’s two bedrooms and a washroom up the stairs to your right. The kitchen and living room are just down the hall.” Jovan steps to the side to let us in. “Alessio, we’re going to be meeting with Christian in the living room. I’ve got some lunch going on the grill outside if you’re hungry.”

“No, but I do need to make a call first.”

The call isn’t something I thought about before today. Listening to Billie talk on the phone with Arturo while she got ready this morning had brought it to mind. He was barely able to speak still, but he tried.

“We’ll all be in there when you’re ready. Christian should be here soon too. My study is that room. Feel free to use it while you make the call.”

I nod and disappear into the room he nods toward. As the door shuts behind me, my heart pounds. I should have thought about Arturo sooner.

I pull out my phone and dial Davide’s number, listening to the phone ring until the call connects. There is shouting in the background that makes me think maybe I shouldn’t have left.

“Davide, how are things going there?” I ask, my tone stern. “What the fuck is all the commotion in the background? You told me that you would be able to handle this while I was gone.”

“I’m handling it. Some of the men are pissed that you killed Antonio. More are pissed that I killed Zade yesterday for trying to start a new bet about one of the girls who just turned eighteen.”

I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose. I can’t afford to lose more men, but I did tell him to make an example of anyone who tried to follow in Antonio’s footsteps. It doesn’t surprise me that the men are trying this shit while I’m out of town.

“If anyone else tries to start something while I’m gone, lock them up. I will deal with them when I get back. Beat them every day until I do get back, though. We don’t need these men thinking that they’re on vacation while I’m away.”

“Will do, boss.” Davide groans and something shatters in the background.

“Do I even want to know what that was?”

“I doubt it. I’ll deal with it. Some of the capos are on their way and this place should settle down shortly.”

“Well, checking in on you isn’t why I called.” I lean against the wall and cross my legs at the ankles. “I need you to arrange for Arturo and his security detail to be moved into my house. The guest suite in the basement will do.”

---