Page 3 of One Love

“The Shadow has him pissin’ in his pants is what I heard last night. Fucking right,” George says, a toothpick dangling from the corner of his mouth and pride in his eyes when he winks at me. It’s not a condescending thing he does because I’m a woman. I think he has a tick. Fucker winks at his car most days.

“Find him.” Although Marco’s wrath isn’t aimed at me, the determination in his glare tells me he wants the head of whoever is fucking with us on a platter.

“On it,” is all I need to say to convince him the problem will be solved.

“What about Mr. Wright at the Galanos casino? Find anything on that guy?” Ah, mister misogynist prick who doesn’t like to lose to women? Yeah, I need to follow up on that asshole, too. We may not know what his deal is but something’s not right. Ergo, we’re watching him closely. So many people to kill, so little time to plan.

“Yeah, I’m going on Thursday. Galanos said he’s there like clockwork.” Considering it’s Sunday, it’ll give me some time to heal my face and body before showing up at a casino looking like death fucked me over.

“Good.”

Twenty minutes later, we’re dismissed but I don’t make it more than three feet outside his office door before I hear the click-clacking of River’s heels along the marble floors, the pitter patter of four tiny paws trying to keep pace with her.

“J! Holy shit! Who did this? I’ll fucking have them chopped up in tiny pieces!” I almost laugh at her indignation on my behalf, then remember that laughing would hurt like a bitch so I force afrown to stay in place. Not that it’s any better, but at least it’s a familiar expression for me.

“Calm down,Tesoro. Your days of stabbing people with your heels are over.”

“Not if I can help it.” She mumbles her words as Marco plants an open-mouthed kiss on her lips that lasts only a second. “And don’t distract me, I’m pissed off.” She turns to Marco and grabs him by the shirt collar, pulling him in close enough for their lips to touch as she speaks. “You fix this. Okay? You fix this.”

Fuck, the emotions in her voice make my ribs hurt all over again. River was there when Murphy died, she held my daughter in her arms, comforting her as best she could while I said my goodbyes. She cried for me, for Hallie. But beneath the huge heart, this woman is fierce and deadly in her own right. A true queen standing next to a king.

“Te lo prometto, Tesoro.”

I’ve been around long enough to know he’ll keep that promise, no matter the consequences, because disappointing his wife is nothing less than impossible.

“Bene.“ River’s Italian is heavily accented but nobody cares. I feel like a voyeur, but just when I’m about to turn around and walk away, River turns her green eyes on me and fuck…I feel a demand coming on. “Come on, you deserve to relax!”

Just as she speaks, an uproar of children’s voices cry out like they’ve just seen a ghost and I cringe. How in the living fuck is this supposed to be relaxing?

I’m ushered to the rooftop, an excited River pulling me by the wrist like I’m five, and the overwhelming urge to shake her off is real. I tamp that shit down because hurting her feelings feels worse than beating up someone’s pet. Everyone has a line they won’t cross…mine is kids and animals. Everything else is fair game.

“Petal and Everest are here and they brought their babies! I don’t know how they deal with so many at a time but they’re organized and everyone has a role. It’s fascinating.” I’m pretty sure River’s a little high on estrogen because I’ve never heard her speak this quickly before.

As long as I’ve known River, she’s had no desire to have children. I’m guessing it has something to do with the fact that she basically raised her brother, Everest, all on her own when their parents died; River was only seventeen then.

But she’s pregnant now so I’m guessing the idea is growing on her. Literally.

“I don’t want to intrude.” Translation, I don’t want to be up here.

“Please,” she scoffs. “Petal doesn’t understand the word intrude. Everyone is always welcome everywhere.”

Not sure everyone can appreciate that kind of viewpoint. If someone came to my place without an invitation, they’d get the barrel of my gun as a welcome mat.

As soon as my face hits the cool air of the Manhattan sky, I take a breath, but it’s instantly cut short when I feel tiny hands pulling at my jeans. Looking down, I see a munchkin with curly blond hair and big blue eyes looking up at me, arms and legs pumping up and down like he wants to jump.

I just stare at him, unsure what I’m supposed to do here.

“He wants you to take him in your arms.” Phoenix is back, one hand on the top of his brother’s head like he’s trying to calm him.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” My eyes dart from Phoenix to his little brother. Fuck, I forgot their names. It’s only when I lock eyes with the little one that I remember. Deep blue eyes so big it’s almost a caricature.

“Ocean,” I whisper, and Phoenix’s smile is immediate, like my remembering his brother’s name is a gift.

“Yes!”

“I can’t pick him up, my body is a little hurt.”

Phoenix nods, smiles, then takes his brother’s wrist and pulls him back. “See ya!”

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