Page 116 of Sinful Secrets

“You also put like four or five more in your cargo pocket. Not to mention the knives and the extra guns.”

“Those are my emergency back ups. If I need to use these, then shit has hit the fan and I am trying to just survive. It’s a shoot everyone and protect myself type of situation.”

“But you aren’t going alone. You will have plenty of backup with you.”

“Unfortunately, as you have seen firsthand, we lose men all the time, and in some of the worst ways. Luckily, we haven’t lost anyone in years. Well, until Lorenzo.”

“If they are capable of that, I don’t want to see their worst.”

My gaze locks with hers. “His death has been one of the worst ones I’ve ever seen, so I don’t think you will see worse. At least I hope you don’t.”

“That’s both a relief and unsettling at the same time. I’d like to think I’d get used to it, but I don’t want to get used to seeing dead bodies. Does that make me weak?”

I walk over to her and squat down to look her in the eyes. “No, that doesn’t make you weak. That makes you human. I don’t ever want you to get used to seeing dead bodies, either, but if you’re in this life and hanging out with Francesca, I know it will happen. I wish I could shield you from it, but I know I can’t.”

My phone chimes with a message. Standing, I pull my phone out of my pocket and read the group text from Joey.

We’re leaving in fifteen minutes, so get your asses over here.

I type out a quick reply.

I was planning on leaving from here and just meeting everyone over at the docks.

Rhett chimes in.

Francesca found several armored vehicles for us to drive because she’s changing the plan.

Joey’s response is full of anger.

SHE WHAT? SHE’S NOT EVEN PART OF THE PLAN! SHE CAN’T CHANGE THE FUCKING PLAN!

They message back and forth, arguing like we aren’t about to go on an assignment.

You and your father know how much she wants to be included.

Too bad. Now isn’t the time for Francesca to start her shit.

Joey, don’t exclude her. She will be involved one way or another. It will be better if we all know where she is and what she’s doing.

Rhett has a point. Francesca will be involved in mafia matters one way or another. The last time didn’t end so well.Hell, her plan yesterday to eavesdrop on the Reapers didn’t go well, but at least no one was shot.

If she wants to be involved, tell her she can work for our uncle and do the bookkeeping.

I’m not telling her that. Do you think I have a death wish?

I’ll tell her later, but she’s not coming with us. She might be stronger than she once was, but she’s more of a liability than an asset.

Spencer, help me out, would ya?

My fingers type as fast as they can. There’s no way in hell I’m getting in the middle of this.

This is more of a family thing and I’m not family.

The hell you are. You’re one of us.

Rhett’s reply makes me smile and roll my eyes.

I didn’t mean it like that, and you know it. This is a Marino family argument and I’m not getting within fifty feet of it.

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