Page 66 of Mob Knight

“Cor, I grew up in Mexico. I know what the cartels do. Maybe you do the same things, but if you do, you keep it private. I’ve seen what the cartels leave on the street. I’ve seen it happen. There’s far less you need to explain than I think you realize. I get this isn’t a choice. If you walk away, you’re as good as dead. If your family is as close as they seem and as close as the Diazes, then I know they wouldn’t let you be a target. It would only endanger you all. Your family can’t abdicate without agreeing to their deaths. No new family would let the old one live without fear of them coming back. I know you probably do things you hate. I’m sure you’re not proud of them like some syndicate men are. Nothing about you makes me think you find joy in whatever you do. You’re too kind, and the men I’ve met who thrive on what they do are never kind. I’ve lived my life with a don’t ask, don’t tell policy. I will never ask you what you do or where yougo, and I don’t expect you to tell me. Keep me away from that part of your life, and I can accept it.”

I’ve seen shit most people couldn’t fathom. I don’t want that in my life, but I want Cormac. I can’t have one without the other, and I get that.

“I wish it were still that simple, but it’s not. My uncle, his cousin a few times removed, and his best friend fecked us all over by going after bratva women. They died for their sins, but it started a tsunami of shite my cousin couldn’t stop before the waves came ashore. It was our family or theirs, and ours will come before anything else until kingdom come. Their deaths didn’t stop what they started, and now women and children aren’t off limits anymore.”

“Cor, the Mexican cartels don’t discriminate. They target anyone within range. I don’t enjoy knowing there were dishonorable men in your family who could endanger me, even after they’re dead. As long as you don’t use children or target them, then I’ll figure out how to accept all of this.”

“What kind of life did you have in Mexico?”

“The kind that made me move here. I grew up with plenty of privileges, but I have more opportunities here.”

I kiss his cheek and nuzzle his neck. We’re wading into dangerous waters—I’m keeping the metaphor going. I don’t want to talk about my past. Nothing good can come of it. He covers my hand that was stroking his chest. He looks down at me, and I know he’s aware I’m trying to distract him. He observes me for a moment before kissing my forehead and continuing.

“If we move this beyond what we planned, I need you to accept a security detail permanently. It won’t be negotiable. I told you they’re trained to be unobtrusive, but they’ll keep you safe. That’s the highest priority to me, Joey. I won’t compromise,and I’ll punish you if you do things to endanger yourself or my men. It doesn’t matter if it’s willful or by accident.”

“I understand. You know this world here, and I don’t. I defer to you because all you’ve wanted is to protect me and take care of me.”

“There will be times when I disappear. I can’t tell you where I’m going or how long I’ll be away. Many times, I won’t know until I leave. If it’s for more than three days, I want you to go to my parents. I know you don’t know them yet, but they’ll know what to do. My mom’s the one whose family rules our branch, but my dad’s family has been in since the old country. Both sides of the family were once part of the same clan and somehow related about ten or fifteen generations ago. Both sides have had sons to keep passing along the O’Rourke name. I’m one twice over.”

“You mean your mom didn’t have to change her name when she got married?”

“Yeah. Neither did my two aunts. Three sisters married three brothers.”

“Were they arranged or something?”

“No. Not at all. Dillan’s parents got together first when they were teenagers. My mom and dad and my other aunt and uncle dated a few years later.”

“That’s super sweet.”

“It is. Nauseatingly sweet.”

As I watch Cormac, I wonder if we could ever be that way. When he tips my chin up and presses a gentle kiss to my lips, I think maybe we can.

We’re interrupted when my phone rings. I stretch to where I put it on the coffee table. Fuck my life.

Chapter Sixteen

Cormac

“Hola.”

I don’t know who Santi is when I see Joey’s phone screen just before she answers the call. I can’t hear the person on the other end.

“Estoy ocupada en este momento…No. Esto es más importante…Porque no quiero.” I’m busy at the moment…No. This is more important…Because I don’t want to.

Does she know I speak fluent Spanish? I could assume by the man’s name that he’s a Spanish speaker too, and that’s why she’s speaking that and not English. But maybe she thinks I won’t understand.

“Mañana.”

What’s happening tomorrow?

She gazes up at me and shoots me an apologetic smile.

“Brother.”

She mouths it and points to her phone before she rolls her eyes. There’s something about the way she’s downplaying this. He wants something she doesn’t.

“Hablaré contigo sobre esto mañana. Necesito irme.” I'll talk to you about this tomorrow. I need to go.

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