Page 83 of Filthy Little Games

I nod my head. “That’s one reason.”

“What’s the other?” Tristan asks.

“He’s the father of Zara’s daughter.”

“Holy shit,” Dre whispers, burying his face in his palms.

“Emilio…and yourZara? No fucking way! He’s old enough to be her grandfather!” Tristan shouts.

“She says it was consensual, but I don’t believe her. He manipulatedher into coming to the city. He’s been taking advantage of her for seven years.”

“Do we need to point out the irony here?” Lorenzo asks.

“Right! You’re doing the same damn thing, Creed!” Dre agrees. “You manipulated the woman so she would marry you. You bought her silence with millions of dollars when you should’ve killed her for Carmine. Are you that pussy-whipped?”

“I haven’t fucked her.”

Lorenzo scoffs. “I find that incredibly hard to believe. She runs around half-naked most of the time!”

“I haven’t fucked her. We’ve fooled around but…”

“But you feel guilty?” the old man supplies.

“Yes. Like you pointed out, I forced her to marry me. She’s the reason Carmine was killed. I know that, but I can’t stop myself from wanting her.”

“Does she love you?” That’s an odd question, especially coming from Tristan of all people.

“I don’t know. I think so.”But I’m not sure, and it’s driving me fucking crazy.I can’t tell her how I feel. She holds enough power over me as it is. I don’t need to go and tell her that I would burn the world to the ground with myself in it for her.

“You’re talking about killing Emilio and going to war with the Rovinas, Creed. Are you sure about this? Do you really think she’s worth all the trouble?” Dre asks.

“Yes.”

“Then I hope you’re damn well prepared for the fucking consequences,” he replies.

“I’m not just doing this for Zara. I’m doing it for Carmine,” I explain. “And it doesn’t matter how I feel about Zara or if she returns those feelings. I’m going to send her away.”

“Good,” Dre replies.

“I don’t want to, but I don’t have a choice. Emilio suspects Zara had a hand in Izaiah’s disappearance. He wants her dead. I got thejudge to hold off on filing the marriage license, but I can’t hide that she’s my wife forever, especially not after I get her daughter back for her. For all I know, Zara may even be…relieved to be rid of me.”

“If this woman has been manipulated by the Rovinas for years and forced into this marriage with you, then I would guess she only wants one thing — her freedom,” Lorenzo points out. “You’re doing the right thing.”

“I know that. I just fucking hate it.”

“Sometimes when you love someone, you have to make sacrifices to keep them safe. This is one of those times, Creed,” Lorenzo says.

“You think so? Even about Emilio?”

“You’re going to kill him anyway, right? It’s just a matter of when,” he replies.

“I will wait, play it smart, make his death look like an accident. That way shit won’t blow back on our family,” I assure them. “You know I don’t apologize very often, but on this, I’m sorry I was so damn reckless with Izaiah.”

“You know I’ll back you up on that decision anyway, no matter what.”

“Thank you,” I tell Lorenzo. “What about you two?” I ask Tristan and Dre, who have gone quiet. “Tonight, I need help getting Zara’s daughter away from Emilio’s guards. Are you with me or not?”

“Of course we’re in, for you and for Carmine,” Tristan says then looks at Dre. “Well, I’m in at least. You’re the boss. We follow your lead. Even when your plans are nuts. Right, Dre?”

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