Page 47 of Forbidden Cravings

“Yes, she’s mine. She won’t be part of any deal because she’s not free to be taken.”

I drew my eyes from her and back to Donelli.

“Why didn’t I know this?” he said, furrowing his brow.

“Because no one knows.”

His lips tightened. “Everyone out, leave us now,” he said, rising and waving his hands.

“But daddy, I’m hungry,” Angie whined.

“Eat in the fucking kitchen. I want you and your brother out now!”

Tony rose, grumbling about how Casey was his. I threw him a look that shut him up as Casey rose to go, too.

“You stay, Casey. Everyone else leave us.”

Angie brushed by me, making sure her hand slid over my arm.

“He’s mine, Angie,” Casey said, crossing her arms, her breasts further emphasized by the move. Her words sunk into my heart, waking it once again.

“No wonder you were no fun at the club. That hottie could have been yours, and the one that was hitting on you looked like he would have been worth risking this one’s wrath.”

I glanced at Casey. “You went to a club?”

She rolled her eyes.

“We’ll talk about that later,” I snarled, not liking the fact that she’d gone out or that other men had been hitting on her.

Breck and my men didn’t move, flanking me as I yanked Casey toward me and tucked her next to me. She let out a complaint, but I quieted her with a stern look. I didn’t know where this was heading. If Donelli wanted to take her from me so her son could have her, he was in for a fight. The two men he had in the room flanked him as he stood, following his path around the table.

“You hurt me with your mistrust, Mason,” he said, moving to the bar to pour himself more wine. He picked up a fresh glass and filled it with scotch before bringing it over to me. “I won’t hurt her. I will, however, question why you have so many secrets.”

“We all have secrets, Donelli. I’m sure you have plenty of your own.”

“True.” He took a sip of his wine and looked between the two of us. “Why is it your brother didn’t mention this when I passed the idea of Tony and you by him the last time he was here?”

“What?” Casey said, confusion in her voice. She glanced at me.

“This is the first I’ve heard of it, Case. Although I’m surprised Tyson didn’t mention it.”

“Don’t be. He was very adamant that no one touch his sister. I didn’t divulge how many men have, Casey.”

A growl slipped from me, and she shot me an annoyed look. Donelli only laughed, making his way back to his seat. “I guess that means lunch is off, as is any chance that our families will merge. At least until Angie tires of flaunting herself to every man she meets,” he grumbled.

“Was this the only reason you asked me to visit?” I asked, wondering why Tyson hadn’t mentioned it.

“No. I wanted to hear your explanation about your sister.”

“And I satisfied you with the answer.”

“Did you?” he asked. “The Bad Omen are still a threat and one I do not want at my back door. Find a way to get rid of them.” He sat back in his chair and let out a long sigh. Exhaustion rested in his posture. “Between us, I’m weak. I no longer have the resources you do. My daughter cares only about my money and the things I indulge her with, and my son is an idiot looking to get laid. There is no one to take over until I get his head out of his pants long enough for him to step up.”

“What do you want from me?” The stress was leaving my shoulders. Donelli wasn’t a threat; he was only trying to protect his family from an enemy none of us could predict.

“Your assurance that if they strike, you will protect me. I’ve been loyal to you since you first flexed your muscles against the old school bosses like me. I know when to embrace change and to respect motivation like yours. And now you have Tides in your corner. No one can touch you.”

I wished his words were true, but someone had touched my sister and almost killed her twice. I wasn’t invincible, and I didn’t know if Greyson even was. That was something I wouldn’t admit, however.

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