Page 35 of Shark Bait

The ones who wronged me, he put on my list, and I hunted them over the course of a year, ending them and anyone we thought could replace them. It was the single largest underground takedown of the century.

He fears Troy will cause another such incident, and this time, we’ll be on the receiving end of it.

“I know what you’re thinking,” I say. “Hence, she will become my wife.”

“What if she rejects your proposal?”

We stare at each other, the answer hanging heavily between us.

“Jesus Christ.” Alessio sighs. “Who’s the father of her baby?”

“She says there is no father.” I clear my throat. “I don’t think she knows. I suspect the worst.”

“Do you believe her?”

“I believe she is a victim who is trying to take her power back by claiming her baby.”

Alessio runs a hand through his hair, tugs it a little as if he wants to pull it out. I’m starting to feel sorry for all the stress I’m causing him. “You want another drink?” I offer politely.

He gives me a death stare.

“Pain meds?”

“What I want is to knock all your teeth out, collect them into a little plastic bottle with a nice cap, and hand it to your future wife so her baby can play with it.” He swishes his whiskey glass. “A homemade rattle.”

“How disturbing.”

There’s a knock on the door, and Valerina pokes her head in. “Your voices are rising, and Leo is wondering if everything is okay.”

Alessio lifts his hands as if surrendering and sits behind his desk. He removes his weapon and locks it in a drawer. “Putting my Walther away now so I don’t shoot you and make my sister and nephew sad.”

Valerina checks on Leo, who starts to push toy cars through the foyer right in front of our office. She sits down with us. “Who is that woman, and why is she here?”

“You already spilled your life story,” Alessio says. “It doesn’t matter now.”

“She’s staying with us, so it does matter.”

“How do you know she’s staying?” Alessio asks. “I could throw her out right now.”

“Stop it. You sound like a jealous best friend. Miroslav brought a girl home. Deal with it.”

I give her my closed fist. “You tell him, bestie.”

She bumps my fist with her smaller one. “Thank you.”

Alessio looks from me to her, then back to me. “Brutus and Cassius.”

I roll my eyes. “I haven’t betrayed you. I just happened to agree with your sister.”

“What happened to this woman?” Valerina asks.

I shrug.

“I will pray for her and her baby.” Valerina stands to leave. “Brother, she’s staying with us and under your watch. At yourmercy. There’s pain in her pretty eyes, and I don’t want any of us to make it worse for her. Just…just let’s take it easy and be nice. I have to go. Let me know what you two decide. I’ll follow your lead, but I want to remind you that we are a family and we stick together, even when we disagree.”

“I am sticking!” Alessio shouts. “Why do you think I brought her into our home?”

“You’re raising your voice,” she says and slams the door closed.

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