Page 124 of Filthy Little Games

“Yes.”

“You can keep the families from fighting, just like you have before. Lay down the law, no bloodshed, or they’ll regret it,” Lorenzo suggests while slapping a rolled-up magazine into his palm.

“Yes, I’m sure a threat from me will stop Saint from going after whoever he thinks killed his father and brother.”

“Sure, there’s a chance you fail,” Dre replies. “But if you moved some of the guys to provide security and watch over Zara and her kid, they would probably agree. Besides, a woman and kid probably wouldn’t get dragged into anyone’s shit. Most families have lines they won’t cross.”

“That’s a whole lot of probablies that could fall apart.” I shake my head. “If anything happened to Zara or Oriana…”

“You won’t let anything happen to them,” Tristan declares.

“I couldn’t protect her before,” I remind him. “The damage Emilio did to her…”

“Will heal! Hell, it’s probably healed up by now. She’s been seeing docs, right?”

“Another probably from you too, really, Tristan?”

“Her injuries were bad, but she survived Emilio,” Dre remarks. “And he only went after her because of their history. It didn’t have anything to do with you.”

“He tortured her to get her to confess that I killed Izaiah!”

“And she never ratted you out, did she? That is hardcore loyalty right there. I respect her for being so strong,” Dre says.

Tristan chimes in, “Some men I know wouldn’t be able to endure all that without breaking.”

“None of the shit you just said makes me feel better for being responsible for her bleeding and scarring.”

“Emilio hurt her before you came along, Creed. You saved her from him and Izaiah. They were her only enemies,” Dre reminds me. “Now, they’re gone. Zara and her daughter are finally safe.”

“They’ll never be safe with me.”

“I’m going to book a flight to Italy,” Dre huffs. “Either you can go, or I’ll go my damned self to pick up those signed divorce papers from Zara.”

I grind my molars. I don’t want to see those papers ever again. “You sound just like Carmine, trying to light a fire under my ass.”

Tristan flashes me a shit-eating grin. “So, our little pep talk actually worked?”

“Yes. I’ll go see Zara and ask her what she wants.”

“Finally,” Dre mutters with a smirk.

“Why would she want to be my mafia queen when I can only offer her a future with infrequent conjugal visits? I doubt she want Oriana anywhere near me. We all know I would be a shitty father.” It’s one of my silent worries that’s been on my mind since I wassearching for the girl, that Zara wouldn’t want me to be a part of her daughter’s life.

“You won’t be a shitty father, Creed. And if Zara loves you, then you two can get through anything,” Lorenzo replies. “Any-fucking-thing, right?”

“I guess…I guess we’ll find out.”

“Good to hear. I brought you something to provide a little…comfort until you get her back.” Lorenzo tosses the rolled-up magazine onto my desk.

I stare down at the title and image on the front. “A porno mag? Seriously? They still put out this shit and charge for it, even though the internet is free?”

“Turn to page thirty-four.”

“Why?”

“Just do it!” Lorenzo huffs.

Picking up the filthy magazine, I turn the pages until I get to thirty-four. My jaw drops at the sight of the gorgeous woman dressed as a sexy Lady Liberty. Raising a torch in the air with one hand, her mint green robe is wide open, and she’s completely naked underneath.

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