Page 53 of Filthy Little Games

If Zara were here, she’d probably laugh and say something like,“That’s a great idea. He’ll never suspect that you suspect him and killed Izaiah if you’re busy rushing your cousin down the aisle toward his sister. Only a psychopath would do something so messed up.”

“Did you just call yourself a psychopath?” Tristan asks since I must have said that last part out loud.

“Why not? That’s what we all are,” Dre murmurs as he stares out the window, watching the busy New York streets scrawl by at a snail’s pace thanks to traffic. “And just in case you forgot, Stella hates me. She’s never going to agree to actually marry me.”

“Yeah, well, I doubt Emilio will give her a choice. Since I refused to marry her and Carmine is dead, you’re the next best option.”

It should’ve occurred to me sooner that the setup at the club happened hours after I rejected Emilio’s offer. So much happened that night with Carmine dying, going to jail, planning his funeral, and then dealing with Zara that I haven’t had a chance to think about the meeting earlier that day.

“And why was Stella not good enough for you? Her hair not curly enough? You didn’t think she would look as cute as Shirley Temple, sitting nearly naked in your penthouse and waiting for you to return?”

“Watch it, Dre,” I warn him. “In fact, don’t mention Zara again. She’s my wife now, and you will respect her. And trust me, she’s more dangerous than she looks.”

“Seriously? I bet she couldn’t smush a spider.” Tristan remarks.

“You’d be surprised by what she’s capable of,” I tell them. “I know I have been.”

“Did she sign a prenup?” Dre asks.

“Of course she did,” I confirm.

“Just making sure. It would be a shame if she took everything from you while we’re all in prison.”

“That reminds me, try not to start shit tonight, since we’ve already got charges hanging over our heads. Don’t be surprised if Emilio calls out Aiden.”

“What’s his problem with the Sannas now?” Tristan asks.

“I heard from one of our NYPD contacts that Izaiah’s car was found in Queens.”

Tristan whistles. “Damn. So, we might get to witness the beginning of a war tonight?”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to war. And we’re going to try not to choose sides.”

“But if we had to choose, it would be the Rovinas, right?” Dre asks.

Fuck.

I wish I could tell them it was Izaiah who set up the raid and that Emilio might be behind it as well. But I can’t, or they’ll figure out I had something to do with Izaiah going missing and that Zara is involved.

“Of course we would side with the Rovinas,” I tell him. “Emilio and Aiden have never gotten along because they share a border. They went off on each other at the meeting last week because one of Emilio’s dealers ended up with product in Queens and Aiden snatched him up.”

“Jesus. So, tonight is not going to go well,” Dre remarks.

We finally pull up to the Rovina residence. Cars line the curb up and down the lot. It looks like everyone came rolling deep with multiple cars, most likely a few capos and bodies for security. Hell, it might be time for us to increase our numbers when we’re out inpublic. After what happened to Carmine, nobody would bat an eye if I increased protection. But I just don’t want anyone else getting in the line of fire if Emilio or someone else tries to take me out.

I can handle myself, but Zara? Sure, she’s tough, but she’s also weaponless. I can’t even give her a phone. Pulling out my device, I text Lorenzo to have him bring in two men to help him keep an eye on the penthouse.

“What are we waiting for, boss?” Tristan asks.

Lorenzo texts back with a thumbs up. “All right. Let’s go in. Keep your mouths shut. Dre, do some sucking up to Stella. And Tristan, you haven’t been here as often as Dre and I have, so I need you to do me a favor.”

“What’s that, boss?”

“Get lost.”

“Huh?”

“Wander around aimlessly like you’re looking for the bathroom or kitchen or whatever lie you need to come up with. And while you’re wandering, I want you to look for a little girl.”

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