Page 40 of Pitiful Lies

It’s a fucking first, and I feel it down to my toes. I mean, I’m not the one people say thank you to. Usually, when I’m around, it means someone is about to get hurt or worse.

But here she is. Thanking me. And I feel another chunk in the armor I have around my heart give way.

To her. Only to her. All to her.

I am what I am out of necessity. And after the guys are convinced there will be no more tears forthcoming, we retreat to Nico’s office to discuss business.

“Well, what have you found out?” Nico asks.

“The explosion was deliberate,” Luc answers, and I grit my teeth.

“We sure?” I ask.

He nods and anger rises inside me like the tide.

“Who?”

“That’s not so certain. We have a lot of enemies to begin with, but closing the ports, and the aftermath of taking down the Sanchez cartel, well, it left a lot of people feeling salty,” the Council explains.

“Give me a fucking target,” I snarl.

“Easy,” Nico says. “I know you want answers, but for right now we need everyone on high alert. Tell all your men. I want double the guards on our private homes, on our women at all times, and at the Den.”

“Done,” I reply, and I am already texting my top guys to see it done.

I’d sent two teams to train at Sigma International Security under Josef Aziz and I know they are the men for the job. I spend the next ten minutes creating alpha and beta teams and assigning them to Anna, Maria, and Giselle.

I need to explain this to her. To let her know what’s happening.

It’s not the only surprise I have for her today, and it’s probably not the one that will freak her out the most.

Baby steps.

Nico is saying something about Margaret O’Doyle, and I am barely listening until he snaps his fingers at me.

“Yo, I need you to go up there and represent us at this party in a few weeks. Luc is tied up with some legislation we’re trying to get passed for our new real estate project. We’re teaming up with Volkov Industries to develop some land over in Bayonne. He can’t spare the time.”

My glance flicks to Luc, and he dips his chin, confirming what Nico said. I knew it was true, but still.

“Why can’t you go?” I ask.

Nico raises his eyebrows. I don’t usually question the king. But he also knows I hate black tie events.

True, my cousin wouldn’t ask me unless he needed me. But still. I have to at least try to get out of it.

“Anna doesn’t want to travel away from the baby just yet and I am not bringing him there. We need to show people the O’Doyles are our allies. Now, you can bring your girl or don’t, I don’t give a fuck. I can tell you, it’s gonna be quite the affair. Margaret has a taste for both men and women, and she is all about celebrating her uprising. So, plenty of willing women if you’re looking for something new?—”

He's trying to goad me. And it works.

“Fuck you,” I snap at him.

“Uh oh. Things not good on that front?” Nico asks.

“Yeah, bro, I thought you were going to Florida to bring her back to get her out of your system. Business as usual, right?” Luc asks.

These two pricks are trying to provoke me into giving something away. I know they are. And I know why. But it doesn’t make me any less pissed at them.

Douchebags.

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