Page 52 of Coerced Wife

“How?” Luigi asks.

“By showing him what happens when he fucks with me.”

Giorgio takes a lighter from his pocket. “Did he give up his paternal rights?”

I snatch the cigarette from his mouth before he can light it and throw it in the trashcan. “What the fuck do you think?”

Giorgio only grins. “You shouldn’t wash your dirty laundry in public. It puts us in the spotlight.”

“We especially don’t want a spotlight on Obsidian right now,” Luigi grumbles.

I look at him. “Why’s that?”

He glances at Raphael before saying, “We’re moving some merchandise through there.”

That, right there, is the reason I didn’t want to get mixed up with the Morellis.

“Are you fucking crazy?” I ask Raphael. “Do you want a war with the cartels running the area? We have an agreement with them. You know what happens when you break it.”

He shoves his hands in his pockets and crosses his ankles. “Unlike you, I’m not afraid of a war, De Luca.”

“You’re not afraid of sacrificing men, you mean.” I advance on him. “I don’t give a fuck if you allow a cartel to wipe out your whole team, but I do care about ours.”

“It won’t come to that,” Luigi says. “We just have to be careful.” He pins me with a look. “Which is why you’re going to clean up your mess and soon.”

I point a finger at Raphael. “Do what you want at Obsidian, but your drugs stay the fuck away from here. Got that?”

He raises his palms again. “Loud and clear.”

“Good,” I say, shouldering him as I turn for the door.

“Sav,” Luigi calls.

I stop and look over my shoulder.

“When you go for Kearney, take Giorgio with you.”

To babysit me? To make sure I do as I’m told? I gnash my teeth, but I can’t say no to a direct order.

I spin on my heel and walk from the room.

Dante catches up with me on the stairs.

“Sav.” He grabs my arm. “Fuck, man. You could’ve told us about Anya.”

I pull free and continue on my way. “It wouldn’t have changed a damn thing. Besides, our private lives are nobody’s business.”

“It doesn’t work like that.” He walks fast to keep up with my brisk pace. “You know it. Nothing is private when it comes to the family.”

I ignore that.

“What are you going to do about Kearney?” he asks.

I ignore that question too.

“He’s got a vendetta against you now,” Dante continues. “His wife is leaving him. His children want nothing to do with him. His family is breaking apart.”

“Good,” I drawl.

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