Page 20 of Wizard's Spitfire

I turn so I could bring her into the hug. When I do, I glance at Valentina. She has her arms crossed, a standoffish look on her face, but I can see tears glistening in her eyes. I motion for her to join us in the hug. She nearly bowls me over when she does.

Lucia shifts so her sister is in between the two of us. Ma joins us and, at some point, Pops wraps his long arms around all of us while we sob. My heart breaks a little more with every tear my girls shed. And my hatred for my ex’s actions multiplies innumerably.

From now on, I’ll no longer be passive with his shit. I tried to be laid back and easygoing for the girls. Now that I know what that asshat put my kids through, I want him to pay. I don’t know how long we cry, but when we finish, each adult leads one of the girls to wash their face and tuck them in bed in their big garage bedroom.

The adults meet back in the kitchen for a few Irish coffees before bed.

Wizard

I DEBATED IF I SHOULDlisten in or end the call and head home. I don’t want to invade Charlie’s privacy, but Pops’ call invited me in.

I’m drawn to Charlie. More so than any other woman. That means becoming a dad, if we get serious.

I tell myself listening gave me information I might need to keep my family safe. Make no mistake, whether or not Charlie and I work out, she and hers are already family. The Kings take care of their own. As do the Morellis. I smile briefly as a thought crosses my mind.Charlotte Evangeline Anastasia Morelli. That has a ring to it.

My thoughts are pulled in a darker direction as I listen to Francesca speak. She goes on for several minutes about her dad’s transgressions. The fucking bastard even introduced the girls to a few of his girlfriends over the years. While he was still married.

I shoot off a quick text to Bug.

Need you to do a thorough analysis into one Roger Carmine Caruso II

Aka JR.

??

I watch the dots while I listen to the conversation wrap up. Once they start crying, I disconnect the call. I figure what comes next, I need to earn the right to be in on. Not eavesdrop in on. The reply comes quickly.

How deep?

??

I respond immediately.

All the way down, the rabbit hole.

??

His response comes rapidly.

On it.

??

I tuck my phone in my pocket, pop the kickstand, and roll my sled down the drive. I wait until there’s traffic before starting thebike and taking off. Hogs are notoriously loud. Not that they can hear me over the sobs.

Fuck!I want to be in there with them right now, drying their tears. I mean, it’s one thing to cheat on your wife, but the position that man continually put his daughters in is unconscionable. I want to rip his fucking throat out. Instead, I speed home, and head straight for our gym at the clubhouse.

Chapter 11

Wizard

An hour later a tap on the shoulder has me stepping away from the speed bag. I look over to see Smoke.

“You okay brother?”

“Not really.”

I gave him a brief rundown of what happened, and the conversation Pops let me overhear.

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