Page 102 of Filthy Little Games

Once we’re back on the ground and enclosed inside the SUV, Tristan asks, “Did Bertelli just offer to off whoever came after us?”

“Yes. At least, that’s how I interpreted his comment.”

“Even if it’s one of the other families?”

“I’m sure he’s considered that possibility. He’s obviously offended that someone’s assassination attempt in his city failed. He doesn’t want anyone thinking it was him. Weston would rather be the one who took down the fucker responsible to send a message than to let his reputation take a hit.”

“Even if it starts a war?”

“Respect is more important to some men like Weston Bertelli than bloodshed. He would go to war with one of the other families just to prove he’s still good at what he does, what he promises his high-paying clients all over the world.”

“Good thing he’s on our side,” Tristan mutters.

“Do you see why I didn’t suspect him? Now, his son, on the other hand, I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could throw him off the top of a flight of stairs.”

“You think Bowen is shady?”

“I think Weston may need to skip over him in the line of succession unless he wants his entire empire to be spent on whatever pops up in that idiot’s mind. He’s too impulsive.”

“Says the guy who killed another man for a woman he didn’t even know.”

“Zara and I had met, briefly,” I correct him. “And that may have been impulsive on my part, but it was still the right thing to do. I don’t regret it.”

Tristan sighs heavily. “And I thought love at first sight was a bullshit myth.”

“I didn’t fall in love with Zara the second I saw her,” I assure him. “It took a few days.”

“Right. How many seconds did it take for you to put those bullets in Izaiah?”

Unable to help my grin, since he’s not entirely wrong. “I waited almost five minutes before interfering.”

“So, roughly three-hundred seconds? Excuse the fuck out of me.”

“You and Dre have both been a little too...opinionated since I brought Zara home.”

“Since you killed a man, an ally’s son, without planning it all out or asking for our help, and then kidnapped and married a random witness, one who fucked us all and could take us down with you? Huh, I hadn’t noticed.”

“Smartass. One of these days, I bet you’ll fall in love with someone who you would kill for without knowing her name too. Here’s hoping the kill shot won’t actually be necessary in the same five minutes you’re alone with her.”

31

Zara

My first full day with my daughter is nothing short of magical. Oriana threw a tantrum at breakfast when her toast wasn’t exactly the way she wanted it, too dark and crispy. I prepared another slice, one that looked identical to the first, and she devoured it. I know her fit was just about having control when she feels like she doesn’t have any, waking up in this new place with new people and not many of her toys or things.

After breakfast, she seemed happier as she played with the bags of toys Creed had sent over from FAO Schwarz. Her favorite, of course, was the three different princess crowns.

Oriana loved them all and wore them one on top of the other at the same time.

Creed stayed out all day, and I assumed it was because he’s not fond of screaming kids. Still, it was sweet of him to send toys forher to play with and luggage for me to pack it all into to take with us, along with the clothes and things he bought me.

While I have no idea how I’ll make a living wherever it is we’ll be sent to, it doesn’t really matter. I’d clean toilets or scoop giant elephant poop, anything as long as I get to be a part of my daughter’s life as she grows up.

Nobody is ever going to take her away from me again. I was weak before when they stole her from my arms. I knew Emilio was an asshole when he got me pregnant, but I never thought he’d take my daughter from me. I won’t make the same mistake of trusting the wrong people again.

Creed finally returns home late that night, after Oriana has been tucked in. I’m going to stay with her tonight, but I wanted to talk to my husband first.

“Hey,” I say in greeting. “Busy day?”

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