Page 49 of Where the Wicked Reign

“Because of Nico and me, because you’ve got so much tied up in the Marchetti Syndicate. If you want out, we can get you out.”

“Not without the two of you!” he yelled, kicking his couch in a rare burst of violence.

“I know things have taken a turn with what’s been forced upon Nico and I’m feeling the weight and worry of it too, but we’ll get through it, we’ll overcome it, just like we’ve overcome everything else.”

“You’ve never overcome the weight of the three families, Milo. It’s different. Like David-and-Goliath different.”

I moved to speak, but my phone rang, pulling me up short.

I grabbed it from the back pocket of my jeans and looked to see Nico calling.

I put it on speakerphone, answering, “I’m here with Julian.”

“Good. I’m done enforcing our properties and assets. It’s time to meet with Caterina.”

“We’re on our way,” I assured him.

“Don’t be late,” he answered tersely.

“Keep your dick in your pants until we get there,” Julian called.

Nico growled, then hung up.

“Thanks,” I said, knowing he’d said that to take some of the heat off me from Nico’s still pissed state after the difference of opinion we’d had earlier.

He’d even given me the slip again and taken off to reinforce everything with the Family being concerned about Benzino backlash without me. He’d been with his best soldiers in Rocco Barone and also Tony Amato who was growing well into his role too so I knew he’d be fine without me there, even though it had pissed me off that he’d done that in the first place. He’d had a meeting with the other two Capos—Cassio Quinto and Giovanni Guerra—right after too, which was aguard-freezone, anyway.

I’d figured a little time apart, some space, would have helped him to realize that me coming down so hard on him had been necessary. Well, it wasn’t that which had really pissed him off; it was me challenging him. Especially at a time when he needed me with him the most—the most he’d ever needed me, actually. But I’d been concerned, really fucking concerned, about this Caterina thing, so I hadn’t been able to just let it go or overlook it. It had needed to be addressed.

“No worries,” Julian told me, before he took off to get dressed quickly.

I watched him go, blowing out a breath.

Things were so fucking tense right now.

Our brotherhood was on edge.

And that worried me just as much as the volatile situation with the Marchetti Syndicate and the three families.

10

~Caterina~

Guilt slashed through me as I stared at the text messages I’d exchanged with my mom via the secure phone I’d given her before she’d headed off onvacationso I could get her clear and keep her safe from this mess.

Mom:How are you? Please tell me you’re being careful, Caterina.

Caterina:Being careful and I’m safe, don’t worry.

Mom:Thank goodness. How’s it going with the situation?

Caterina:More complicated than expected. Fortified location.

Mom:We’ll find another way then. Don’t go through with it, it sounds too dangerous. I’m sorry, I didn’t know it would be like that. If you can’t do it like you did before—at a distance—leave it, please.

Caterina:I’ll be fine.

Mom:How can that possibly be true?

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