Page 56 of Sinner's Fury

Shit. I was hoping she would have moved on from that.

Guess not.

Grabbing the bull by the horns, I just said what needed to be said. “Carly, you are a very beautiful woman, and I sympathize with everything you been through, but I don’t think it will work out between us. I need to concentrate on my girls. I’m all they have left.”

When she remained silent, I glanced at her, noticing her eyebrows furrowed in a frown.

Puzzled at her expression, I muttered, “What?”

“I was talking about stopping at the Play Palace in Chicago so the kids could burn off some energy. What the hell did you think I was talking about? You know what? Never mind. I don’t want to know. I think you’ve already said enough.”

Well shit...

Sitting on a bench, I kept a keen eye on my girls and Drew, who were in the kiddie foam pit having a blast, while Carly went to get them lunch at one of the food shacks in this massive place. Using my foot to push a sleeping Charlie in her stroller, I leaned forward in my chair and whispered into my phone, “I need to see him, Aurelio. I’m in town. I don’t want to be rude.”

“It’s not a good time, my friend.”

“If he finds out I was here and didn’t stop by, and word gets back to New York, I will be in a lot of trouble.”

“Word is you are already in trouble. Did you really drop your marker?”

Groaning, I closed my eyes. “Yes.”

“That was stupid.”

“I know, but you know how Montana can be. I couldn’t stay and let him use me or my girls as a bargaining chip.”

“Did you honestly think he would accept your marker?”

“Fuck no. I mean, I’m the fucking SSA of the Mother Chapter. You know as well as I do, there is no fucking way he can just let me walk away. I’m just hoping the asshole calms the fuck down, and Mercy can talk some common sense into him, before he starts a war he can’t win.”

Aurelio laughed. “Dream on, my friend. Your best bet is to get to California fast and pray Reaper grants you sanctuary.”

Sitting up, I asked, “What do you mean?”

“I mean, Montana put out the order. There is a bounty on your head.”

“Shit,” I cursed, leaning back as I rubbed my hand down my face. “What about Vicious and Storm?”

“Montana is concentrating on you.”

“Because I’m the bigger threat.”

“Yes, and I’d watch your back if I were you. Unless you plan on returning to the city? In which case, I will happily call Montana and tell him you’ve seen the error of your ways and are returning home.”

“I can’t do that, Aurelio, and you know it.”

“Well, then brace yourself, because your troubles are just beginning. Braesal O’Malley has formerly asked the table for an inquiry into your past. Something about your mother and an adoption from 1953. According to the table, O’Malley’s provided credible evidence that proves you are only half-Italian and that you have a direct link to his organization. I don’t need to tell you what shitstorm that will cause if proven correct.”

“O’Malley is a fucking prick. He can’t formally ask the table for shit without express permission from Brian Buchanon, andlast I heard, Buchanon was still in Ireland taking care of a problem over there.”

“Is there any validity?”

“Maybe,” I groaned, rubbing the back of my neck. “I’m not sure. Yes, my mother was adopted in 1953 by my grandparents Armando and Valencia Guillermo, but her adoption records were sealed. As to who her real mother and father were, I have no clue. Besides, he doesn’t matter.”

“Keep thinking that, because rumor is, Braesal O’Malley doesn’t like competition. If he considers you a threat in any way to his organization, he will not think twice before ordering a hit, and then where would your girls be? The best thing you can do is to turn around, go back to the city, and let your club handle O’Malley. That Irish thug will think twice before taking on the Soulless Sinners.”

Returning with a full tray laden down with food and drinks for the kids, Carly looked around then asked the one question no parent ever wanted to hear, “Christian, where is Drew?”

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