Page 91 of Wicked Rivals

I wiped my eyes.

Swallowed the lump in my throat.

Kissed my thoughtful son on his forehead.

“You ready to go?” I asked.

“Yeah, I just have to put on my good high tops.”

“Perfect. Go on, baby, and get them. Hurry.”

He ran to his room, and I took a deep breath, slowly releasing it, collecting myself and my thoughts.

Stefano hadn't discovered we were gone yet. He would have been blowing up my phone by now on his way to come and get us if he knew.

So far, my plan had worked.

Yes, I was on the run again, but at least I had some experience with it this time, and that should help me keep Enzo safe.

The bell hanging above the door downstairs jingled.

My heart raced, but I couldn’t move my feet.

I opened my mouth to call for Enzo. Nothing came out.

Glass crunched beneath heavy footsteps.

Footsteps that came closer and closer to the back staircase.

CHAPTER 19

STEFANO

I gave Don Lordi and his two companions a bored stare.

I would not be intimidated.

“Good, by all means, deal with me,” I said. “You believe my father never respected me and that I’ve become a threat to the balance of power in New York. Now that we’ve established your beliefs, why am I really here?”

Lordi flashed a knowing smile.

I wanted to rip his face off. I flexed my fists at my sides.

Heat blasted up the back of my shirt onto my neck.

The smug bastard had racked up an enormous debt with me, and he would settle it in full with his blood and his bones. But not quite yet. It was part of a greater plan.

I met his eyes with mine again, holding his gaze with the same blank stare my father had given me whenever he thought I wasted his time.

“These younger men are always so impatient,” Lordi said.

The others laughed into their Chianti glasses.

Christ, it was like watching one of those Broadway mobster musicals where the fat diva sat in the middle while smaller backup singers flanked his sides to make him look better.

Never trust a man who surrounds himself with yes-men…

One of my first lessons learned after taking over my family.

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