Page 104 of Forbidden Bond

“Cutting ties was the smart route.”

Not one he could commit to fully if he’d given her the blank drive hoping it would reconnect them.

“At mine, after the attack, when you came to me. I told you I needed people who’d be around a long time. You let me talk to you like… Why didn’t you tell me the truth?”

“I let you down. You weren’t protected in McDade territory. If I wasn’t capable of looking after you, I didn’t deserve to have you.”

For a man who lived in the “gray” as Strat put it, Conn dealt with a lot of guilt when it came to her safety. And if she’d been a casual lay, he wouldn’t have placed such a premium on his role as protector.

“You know…” She sighed. “I think I can’t love you anymore and then you just…” With a smile, she kissed him then rose, wriggling her hips. “You’re the one thing I always rely on. Never ask me to live without you again.”

Skimming his palms up her arms, he caressed her for a few seconds then cradled her breasts in both hands.

“I’ll talk to Silvio tomorrow.”

Divert the conversation, take it to work. Man, her guy knew just how to untangle her webs.

“About the tape?”

“No, I won’t give him the satisfaction of asking direct. That game isn’t important to me.”

If it was them, he’d care someone had access to their private moments. That it was a fake? This was child’s play her guy didn’t have time for.

“Does Silvio know we have Evander?” she asked. “And about the shooting? Is the tape a shot across the bow?”

“If that’s the best he’s got, destroying him won’t take long.”

If not about the tape or Evander… “You’ll talk to Silvio about Hell?” she asked. “Hell’s last letter said he had a parole hearing coming up. That was a while ago though. With the murder and Dad, I haven’t had a chance to write back. Do you think he knows about us? That I’m with you?”

“He knows.”

Could be why he mentioned parole, he’d know about the Dorsey deal too. Being close to Conn, she had the facility to convey messages, to whisper in his ear. Hell had never asked her to pass anything along, or mentioned Conn. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t imply or suggest.

“Should we be worried if he hits the street again? What’s he really like? Is he hungry for it? I can only learn so much through writing.”

Evander wanted to steal the Manzani empire from under his father. With him locked in the Stag basement, that plan wasn’t exactly what she might call “progressing.” If Hell got out and wanted power, would he challenge his father? His brother? His enemies?

“All we get are rumors, secondhand reports, guards intel.”

“You get reports from prison guards?” she asked.

“I get reports from anyone I want.”

For twenty years both Hell and Dorsey had been locked away. How much contact they had with others was unknown, though it was safe to say it had been limited. These people couldn’t know themselves, not as they’d be on the outside. What was important? Was freedom enough?

Dorsey had more than paid her dues. Twenty years she’d been locked up, basically her whole life. And Hell couldn’t have spent much time with savory types. She dreaded to think how that would’ve changed a man already colored by darkness.

Their family, the Manzanis, had the potential to hurt the McDades, to hurt Conn. There, in their bed, she didn’t want to give the opposing family too much airtime.

“I opened the chest in my grandfather’s office,” she said. “The one Lupe told me to check.”

“You were out late. Wasn’t too happy when I heard where you were hanging out.”

“The guys were with me. I wouldn’t go in there alone. Swerve showed up outside when we left, how would he know we were there?”

“Any place belonging to you or your family will be monitored. The Manzanis will do regular patrols.”

So she shouldn’t read too much into it. They’re on the ball, keeping tabs, much like the McDades would. It didn’t freak her out Swerve showed up, might actually work out for them in the long run. By refusing to deal with him alone, and forcing him to come to Stag, she and Conn sent the message they were a single unit.

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