Page 44 of Matched into the Mob

Again with the mate thing. Mafia was supposed to be scary, but this family was all about friendship.

“When a shifter meets the person the universe put on this earth for them, they recognize them instantly.”

I didn’t like the sound of someone made for another person. It reminded me of sci-fi movies where the population had no control over their destiny.

“And you think I’m your fate? Me, the human who was trying to take down The Obsidian Circle.”

I gulped at Ranger’s horrified expression that was reflected on the faces of his family. Flint slammed a knife, tip first into the wooden table.

“But…” I held up a hand. Not sure about the purpose of the knife, I took the handle and yanked. Shit. Nothing happened. Another tug. It was wedged in. A third heave and I removed the damned knife.

Ranger nudged me. “Tell them.”

“I’m going to. Yes, I was undercover, but…” I’d said but too many times, and I had to follow through. “I have the goods on Dane and how he was meddling in your business.”

“More than meddling,” Flint stated.

“Infringing. I have it all. I can help you bring him down.”

I slammed the knife into the table and the wood splintered.

Oops!

EIGHTEEN

RANGER

“What?” everyone shouted around the table, except me and my mate.

“Let me back up a little,” Matt replied.

I didn’t want him reversing. He had to expand on how he wasn’t a danger to us. I tried to catch his eye, but he ignored me.

“In my defense… I was just concentrating on The Obsidian Circle. The bad guys.” He fiddled with his fork. Even if he lost control and pitched it into the air, we’d catch it.

But Matt wouldn’t hurt us for no reason. He was a good guy. I’d learned that in the short time we’d known one another.

Are you sure?my beast chimed in.

Absolutely. Aren’t you?

Of course. I can see into his heart.

He couldn’t literally and neither could I, but Matt had shown by his actions he was kind, generous, and loving.

Matt stood up, clutching the fork. It wasn’t a good look, and I couldn’t beg him to drop it. He had to come to that conclusion on his own.

My mate loosened his grip and the fork thunked onto the table. Inwardly, I thanked him, and when he glanced at me, oureyes locked on one another. I hoped what he witnessed in my gaze was love and pride.

“Are y-you b-b-bad guys?” he asked, his voice trembling.

“Depends on who you ask?” Dad sighed. “But no. Our companies are legit.”

“Really?” Matt sank onto the chair.

“Yes, really,” I assured him. “The more, ummm, murky side of our dealings is our retrieval business. We’re known for fixing problems.”

“Not murky,” Flint stated.

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