Page 78 of Scarred Hearts

“Shocked?”

She nodded. “Yeah.”

He lifted his chin at Ian. “You can thank him for that.”

She spun to Ian, her eyes wide. I was just as surprised. Ian wasn’t known for his generosity when it came to those he didn’t consider friends.

He offered a subtle nod. “I thought you could use some real family.”

“Thank you,” she whispered before turning back to them. “So, I have something to tell you both.”

Carmine pushed by her, making a beeline for me. He stopped on the other side of the desk, his fists clenched at his sides. “Who the fuck are you, and why are you behind my father’s desk?”

“I’m her boyfriend and?—”

“Carmine!” Giovanna rushed over, placing herself next to me, hooking her arm in mine. “This is my very serious boyfriend, Tyler Prescott, and he’s amazing.”

“Prescott?!” he gasped. “You a lawyer?”

“Yeah,” I replied calmly but I wasn’t taking any chances, “do you have something to say about me?”

Giovanna gripped my arm snuggly. “Baby?—”

“Yeah, I do, actually,” he sneered. “You’ve made quite a name for yourself in New York, bro. Your reputation around the prison was pretty fucking great among the prisoners.”

I glimpsed Ian and Luke, who were both rigid, ready for a fight if it resulted in one, but they relaxed instantly. “As it should be,” Not letting my guard down, I stood taller. I didn’t give a shit that he was my girlfriend’s brother. Withdrawing my arm from her snug grip, I stretched it around her, pulling her against me again.

Enzo meandered closer. “We gotta talk, G.”

“Yeah,” she sighed, “I know.”

“So, it’s true,” he asked, coming to a stop in front of the desk next to Carmine. Lifting a hand to his chin, he stroked his jaw.

“It is, but I didn’t make the decision for him.”

“For who?” Carmine asked.

“Dad.”

“Huh?” Enzo chimed in.

Giovanna arched a brow. “What were you talking about?”

“What were you talking about?” Carmine replied. “I was talking about whoopin’ Luca’s ass when I see him.”

“First of all, no one’s doing that!” she barked.

“I’m the boss now that I’m out of prison and what I say goes,” Carmine jeered. “You get no fucking say in this. I love you but?—”

“Don’t speak to her that way,” I snapped, unable to control myself.

“Excuse me?” he snarled, taking a step closer.

“Baiting me to repeat myself will do you no favors.” I clenched my jaw. “I don’t repeat myself for anyone.”

Enzo snorted. “Your reputation might proceed you at his prison, but you don’t know who the fuck you’re talking to.”

Carmine lifted a hand, hushing his brother, then folded his arms over his chest with a grin. “He’s right though. You don’t know who the fuck you’re talking to.”

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