Page 63 of City of Wind and Lies

"The investment firm?" she questions, taking another piece of bread from the basket.

"No, there's also the family business."

"Oh, the Monarch Club?" She pops a chunk of bread in her mouth.

"That's part of it, yes."

"Geeze, there's more?" She snorts a laugh as she picks up her water. "What, you're in the mob or something?" she teases as she takes a sip.

I stare into those perfect baby blues, giving her a curt nod, and she immediately chokes on her water. Jolting to my feet, I round the table in an instant, rubbing her back. "Are you okay, Bella?"

She slaps her palm onto the table as she coughs, bobbing her head up and down until she can speak. "Yeah, yeah," she coughs, waving a hand at me. "Sorry, I swore I saw you nod your head." Her fingers swipe away the moisture from her eyes. "Can pregnancy hormones make you hallucinate?"

My hand stills, as I sigh, "No, Passerotta." Hooking two fingers beneath her chin, I tilt it up as I run my thumb across her bottom lip. "It's time you knew the truth."

Her eyes widen, panic flooding her features, and my chest tightens at the sight. I smooth her hair before dropping a kiss on the top of her head and returning to my seat. Sinking down into my chair, I draw in a deep breath and release it as I gather my thoughts.

Wren's teeth rake across her bottom lip as she watches me, and the freaked-out look on her face tightens the vise on my heart. I need her to understand this, to accept it, to accept me.

"You were probably too young to remember, but about twenty years ago, there were a string of FBI raids in the city."

"I've heard about them."

"After Frankie Fracassi cut a deal, the rest of the families, mine included, went underground. The Fracassi family was the main family. My father and that creep Gabriel's father, worked directly for Frankie. Frankie was dealt with after his betrayal to la famiglia. Each family kept to themselves, keeping their own endeavors going and just trying to stay off of the Fed's radar. About the time my father handed over the mantle to me, we started doing business more openly again."

"What kind of business is that, exactly?" she asks timidly.

"Well, we do loans, offer protection, host poker games, and… drugs." I tug at my collar, mumbling the last part.

She stiffens, a frown forming on her face that acts like a sucker punch to the gut.

"But, I'm getting us out of that," I add quickly. "Gabriel wants the drugs and I don't. I don't want my name associated with that any longer. It's why I have the club and the investment firm- they're legitimate."

"Is that why he was like that?"

"Gabriel and I don't share the same visions. He likes making his money off exploiting people. I don't."

"Exploiting people, how?" she questions.

"Drugs, for one. He doesn't care who he sells to or where. And he has a questionably legitimate escort service with an ever-changing crew of girls."

Nodding slowly, her shoulders relax as she picks up her fork. I watch in silence as she starts to push her food around her plate.

Reaching across the table, I cover her hand with mine. "Say something."

Wren swallows hard, laying her fork to the side. Her lips part to speak, but the waiter interrupts her.

Impeccable timing, this guy.

"Is everything alright with the food? Can I get you two anything?"

"We're fine," I state flatly, waving him away.

Luckily, he takes the hint and scurries off again.

"Wren?" I trace circles on the back of her hand.

"This is all just... It's a lot to process right now, Bowie."

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