Page 12 of Forbidden Cravings

Tyson joined us just as we were sitting down to eat, and I relaxed and enjoyed the meal, the worry about Riley lifting. My other worries sat on my shoulders, their claws digging in andreminding me I couldn’t relax too much, or I’d be caught off guard like I’d been with Riley.

Just as we finished dinner, my phone rang.

“Donelli,” I answered, rising and feeling everyone’s eyes on me as I walked away. Donelli was the head of the power in Armina. Worry sank its claws in further while I waited to hear what he had to say.

“Mason. What’s this I hear about the Bad Omens? Is it true? Greyson Tides took out one of their guys? One who infiltrated your network?”

Fuck.

“Where did you hear that?”

“I have my sources. Why is it I’m finding this out only now and not from you?”

Great. When I found out who his sources were, I’d let Tyson relieve his frustration until his knuckles were bloody. “Because it just happened, and I was dealing with the fall-out.”

“I want a full briefing. Bad Omens, Mason? This is bad. They’re in my backyard. Their territory is the province to the south of mine. And the partnership between my family and yours is not a secret. I expect you or Tyson to be on a flight out here tonight or our alliance is no longer secure.”

He disconnected, the silence on the other end deafening.

“Fuck!” I punched the wall, shattering the plaster.

“Mace?”

Turning to Tyson, I saw the three of them waiting for an explanation. Riley’s eyes were keen, seeing the side of me I’d always hidden from her, the business I’d never wanted her involved in.

“I need to go to Armina. Donelli wants a full brief of what went down. I’ll fly out tonight.”

I met Casey’s eyes before I walked away, seeing the disappointment in them. It seemed ironic that she would behere, and I would be across the country where she lived. Heading to my room, I heard Tyson’s steps as he ran after me.

“Let me go,” he said, stopping me.

I shook my head. “No, this is business. You hate this stuff.”

“But I can do it when I need to, and I’m close to Donelli. Let me handle this. Riley just emerged and you need to be here with her. If she went back to Tides while you were gone, it would kill you. Stay.”

“What about Casey? She’s here to see you.”

“Nah, she’s here for Riley. Besides, she’s only here a few more days and I can extend my trip and stay in Armina long enough to spend time with her before I head back.”

I gnawed my cheek, thinking it through. The thought of leaving Riley when she was getting better was gutting. The idea of not seeing Casey gave me a completely unfamiliar sensation, but one that was just as powerful.

“Fine. I’ll make the travel arrangements and have the jet ready. I want you in contact with me every day while you’re there, and don’t fuck this up, Ty.”

“I’m the face of this family to Donelli. Trust me.”

It was the truth. I never traveled to see Donelli. I hadn’t in years. Tyson always checked in with the family when he visited Casey. I stuck to calls and video meetings with him. They were the only family I let Tyson deal with because he got along with Donelli and his son, Tony. Donelli had a daughter, Angie, but from everything Tyson told me, she was a spoiled, snooty thing who rubbed him the wrong way.

With a sigh, I said, “Fine. You handle this, but if you fuck it up, my fist will be ready to pummel you when you return.”

“When have I ever let you down, Mace? And when have I ever let a threat like that stop me?” he teased before heading down the hall. He stopped halfway, saying, “Keep an eye on Casey. Andif you fuck that up, you won’t have time to punch me because I’ll kill you first.”

He meant it as a joke, but there was truth behind it, just like there had been behind my threat. And given the situation with Casey, it was a more serious threat than he intended.

He ran off to his room to pack. I made a few calls to shore up his travel arrangements and assigned two men to travel with him. There was no way I would let him go alone. As much as I trusted Donelli, I wasn’t taking the chance, and I knew how quickly relationships could turn when threatened with something as destructive as the Bad Omens.

By the time I had everything in place, Tyson was in the main room of the house, saying goodbye to Casey.

“Where’s Riley?” I asked.

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