Page 118 of Sinful Secrets

I pull out my phone, seeing a message from Joey. It’s not a group text. “He sent a message to only me.”

“What does it say?”

Get everyone over here now.

Dad is pissed.

He said he will deal with this later. You might want to drive separately so you aren’t caught in this.

I relay the messages while keeping my gaze locked on Savannah.

Francesca scoffs. “We’re coming. End of discussion.”

Not wanting to get in the middle of a Marino family argument, I say, “Savannah and I will take my car over to the house. You two can figure your situation out on the way. I, for one, don’t want to be on Arturo’s bad side.”

I grab my keys before lightly punching Rhett in the arm. “And as his future son-in-law, I’d think you would feel the same way.”

“Hey, I never said I want to be on his bad side, but I also want to make Chessie happy.”

“Make her happy in other ways. I wouldn’t be going toe to toe with her father, who just happens to be the head of the mafia.”

Rhett quirks his eyebrow. “Oh, I make her plenty happy. Thank you very much.”

Francesca waves her hand. “Hello, I’m standing right here and can hear you two.”

“Yeah, and as your friend, I’d advise you to pick your battles wisely, and maybe not right before confronting the vigilante gang no one can get close to.”

She rolls her eyes and sighs. “You might be right, but we are still coming.”

“Fine. Let’s go before it’s all of our asses on the line.”

Savannah and I ride with Rhett and Francesca in Rhett’s truck. The entire eight minute ride is in complete silence except for the nightly talk show that’s playing on the radio.

When we get to Arturo’s house, Joey meets us in the driveway and gives us directions to the parking lot where we will park.

“Everyone is parking in a separate lot, so we have options to regroup if we need to.” He points to Francesca and Savannah.“Since they are coming along, you two will be the back-up team. We are meeting in the square two blocks from the docks.”

“Where is everyone? We aren’t late.” I say, glancing around at the lack of cars in the driveway.

“They already left to get set up.”

Francesca scoffs. “Bullshit. What’s going on?”

“That is what’s going on. We have an important job to do, and you’re too occupied with buying cars and trying to change the plan Dad and I put together all night.”

Francesca takes a few steps closer to Joey and throws her hands up in the air. “So that’s it? You’re upset that I didn’t spend all night coming up with a plan? Why would I even try when you and dad don’t even ask me to help?”

“Why would we ask? You’re always busy.” He shoots an apologetic look at Rhett.

“Well, I’m sorry I have a life and a future to plan. Maybe if you weren’t so afraid, you’d be married by now!” Francesca is yelling with every ounce of her being.

Joey flinches, and for a moment, I see a glimmer of hate flash before his eyes. It seems as if Francesca hit a nerve.

I cut in. “Hey, how about we all take a step back and focus on the job at hand? There will be plenty of time in the future for these discussions.”

Joey nods. “There will be plenty of time for me and Francesca, but if you two don’t get your heads on straight, Dad will make some changes.”

He turns around and jumps into his car before driving down the driveway. His tires squeal as he turns onto the road.

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