Page 61 of Mob Star

“No. This isn’t the worst that’s happened to me because of him. Granted, I was thirty years younger, so I bounced back a lot easier. He knows he can try to bend me, but I won’t snap.”

“He knows he’s going to have to keep trying until he succeeds.”

“Not happening.”

I just nod. What else am I supposed to do? “Papa, did you just take a dose? You look like you’re getting sleepy.”

Did our argument— brief as it was —exhaust him?

“Yeah. About ten minutes ago.”

“Can I get you anything? I’ll watch TV in the other room. Sleep as long as you can. The body heals while it sleeps.”

“I’m good, squirt. Go find that housewives show you like so much.”

I like certain reality TV way more than I’ll admit. But that’s not what I’m doing as I leave the living room. I check over my shoulder to make sure he hasn’t moved before walking down the hallway to the front door. I ease it open and shut it quietly once I’m on the stoop. I look around until I spot the car I’m searching for. I make a beeline to it. I’m about to tap on the glass when a man in a charcoal suit winds down the front passenger window.

“I need to speak to Finn.”

“Dr. Galla?—”

“Someone hurt my dad.”

I lean forward and see a guy in the driver’s seat who looks just like Joey. The man right in front of me looks a lot like Finn’s driver, too. The men glance at each other as they reach for the door handles.

“He’s okay for now. He had an accident yesterday, and I’m certain I know who caused it. This is— this is —” I puff an exhale. “—shit Finn knows how to handle. I don’t.”

I give them a pointed look, and the driver nods. “Give me a moment. I can’t call him, but I can text him. Do you have your phone? I’ll tell him to call you. It might not be immediately, but he will call when he gets my message.”

“Thank you.”

“Should we pull into the driveway? Do you want whoever this is to know you have a security detail?” The guy near me isn’t looking at me, but at his side-view mirror.

“My mom isn’t home yet. She needs to pull in, and I don’t want her asking why there’re men sitting in our driveway. But there’s a spot a little closer. Could you park there, please?”

The driver starts the car as he speaks. “I’m Simon, and this is my brother, Fallon. We’re Joey’s big brothers. I’m going to call him to come over. He’ll bring our cousin Ted. I’d feel better if we have another car at the other end of the street facing this way. Are you spending the night?”

“I don’t know. Maybe. Someone’s covering my shift today, but I don’t know if I can get someone to do it tomorrow.”

“Fallon and I will follow you home. Two other guys will relieve us at six regardless of where we are. Joey and Ted will stay here until midnight. They’ll have two guys relieve them. I’m certain Joey will insist upon being your guard tomorrow. Unless Finn tells us otherwise, Joey’s going wherever you go. No waiting in a car. If your parents go anywhere, we’ll have people follow them. Do you have brothers or sisters?”

“Two brothers, and they both have kids.” This conversation is reassuring part of my mind, but it’s clearly not easing all my fear because my heart is racing.

“We’ll call Dillan and arrange all of this. Let Fallon program all our numbers in your phone.”

I hand it to him and step back from the car. Simon reverses, then pulls out of the spot. I walk alongside them but on the sidewalk. He pulls into the new spot and parks. Fallon hands the phone back to me just as it rings. Oh, merciful saints.

“Finn.” I flash a smile at the guys and hurry back to the house.

“Cailín, what happened? Are you safe?”

I know no one can hear me. “Yes, Daddy. But my dad’s uncle tried to kill him.”

I don’t believe for a second that I’m exaggerating. Not with my dad that banged up.

“Corey attacked your dad?”

That grinds me to a halt. It’s not Finn’s deceptively calm voice. It’s his question.

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