Page 68 of Secret Baby for the Italian Mafia King

“He’s confusing,” I admit.

“That he is.”

A traffic jam ties us up. Honestly, I didn’t miss driving around New York. One of the few pluses of no longer being among the mafioso elite—there’s no shame in public transit. It stinks, it’s loud, it’s dodgy, but at least it’sgoing somewhere.

“Why do you work for Ren if he’s such a nightmare?” I ask.

“Because I know why he’s like that. And I forgive him for it. He saved me, you know. Or at least, tried to save me, whenhe couldn’t save our parents. Once he realized there was no helping them, he ran up to get me. His arm was all burned, but he…” Elijah’s voice trails off. His hands tighten on the wheel, frustration carved in the bulge of his muscles. “I’m not going to sit here and tell you my brother isn’t a bad person. Not after what he did to you and your family. God knows you probably have your own opinion. But I’ve got my reasoning, and I don’t question it.”

I stare out the window, trying to picture that night. What it must have been like. When I think about it, Ren looks just how he does now. But I know that’s not the truth. He was younger and happy and brilliant. And all of that was burned up with his childhood.

The landscape of the city starts to change. Worn-down, unkempt brick buildings. Historic landmarks nobody cares to visit. I watch the scaffolding whoosh by, wishing we had turned on the radio instead of this conversation.

“I know you probably don’t trust any of us at this point, Nadia. I wouldn’t, if I were you. But I think if my brother has any shot of…I don’t know, healing, then that’s on you.”

I almost choke on my own spit.

“You think I can heal him?”

His expression pinches, eyes on the road even when we’re locked up at a red light and have nothing to do but judge each other in the meantime.

“I didn’t say that. I said if there’s a chance, then that’s it. Time isn’t doing it. Money isn’t doing it. Power, whatever. And you’re the one thing he kept going after, so maybe…” His hand openson the wheel, a sigh dragging from his lips. “Maybe there’s something to that.”

I don’t bother shattering Elijah’s dreams. I already know damn well what I am to Ren, and it’s not a solution to his problems or a Band-Aid for his mental health. I’m just what he settled for.

I’ve never been so grateful to see my uncle’s strip club come into view.

“What the hell are we doing here, Nadia?” he asks again.

“Just taking a meeting. I hear you’re popular here, so they shouldn’t mind if you stop by, right?” I ask, flashing him a look. He glares after me as he parks along the street, getting out with me.

“Nadia,” he hisses, as I cross into the alleyway.

I call Luna, begging her to answer the phone. I don’t know if I have Cali’s number. The back door is locked, though I give it a solid tug.

“Dammit,” I whisper, the ring rattling in my ear.

Finally, Luna answers. She sounds like she’s been asleep, but she tells me to wait a minute. She appears, bleary-eyed and in a sexy little nightgown at the doorway. Her eyes do a double-take as she sees Elijah with me, and suddenly, she’s very awake. She ducks behind the door and curses me in festive Russian.

“What do you bring him for?” she demands. Her accent is thickened by sleep.

“Necessity. You said I needed to help now, so I’m here to help. What’s going on?”

Luna gives Elijah a scowl and slowly steps out to join us.

“There are cameras inside,” she says, “And I will only talk to you, Nadia. Alone.”

I ask Elijah to back off. He doesn’t look happy about it, but he finally sighs and wanders a few feet away, keeping an eye on us from afar.

“What’s your issue with him?” I ask.

“Who do you think brings in garbage for the girls to get hooked on? Men like him. Wandering around, no rules.”

“Men like him or him specifically?” I demand.

Luna only shrugs. “You think they tell me?”

I glance over my shoulder. “He’s just my escort. He’s not involved in this. What’s happening with Sincere, Luna? Is she alright?”

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