Page 2 of Unlawful Seduction

Fuck.

“Is that Gio’s son? Gio Carroli?”

She was gasping for air, tears streaming down her face, but to her credit, she was controlling all sound. She nodded only once. That was all I needed.

This wasn’t about a woman who’d stolen from the organization I worked for. This was about eliminating an issue for Gio. The question was had Lucian known and mandated the elimination since Gio was set to marry his daughter, Ava? I’d once considered Gio my best friend. We’d commiserated over drinks, enjoyed playing pool and running the casinos together. He would ultimately become my Underboss. A fleeting thought entered my mind.

In the political world of crime syndicates, things had changed. No longer were the powerful families considered scum, usingtheir power, influence, and wealth to win over the politicians and the cities they called home. The Valenti family was no exception.

Lucian had spent his entire career nurturing good will, giving to multiple charities while sitting on several volunteer boards of directors. He was regularly photographed with the governor and police chief. The fucker had made himself a celebrity.

The reason Gio had been overlooked was his past criminal record and his inability to shmooze as I’d been taught years before. However, Lucian wasn’t a stupid man, the Carroli family another powerful organization out of Jersey. By welcoming the man into the family, Lucian could keep a tight rein on everything that occurred in the surrounding states.

Yet Gio couldn’t have any skeletons, or the marriage and a significant amount of money including a portion of New York would be tossed out the window. Gio wasn’t the brightest bulb. However, him planning a dirty execution by himself was possible. I wouldn’t jump to conclusions.

“You’re Teresa,” I said to her after putting the photograph back in its place. This was a crossroads. Maybe a test. Or maybe just a dumb fuck’s need to erase a mistake.

The water started to boil over and I was certain she was going to lose it. “Tessa. My name is Tessa. Can I…”

“Turn it off.”

She did so quickly and started wringing her hands, her entire body shaking.

“Sit down at the table,” I told her. “Keep your hands where I can see them.”

While she did as I instructed, I moved closer. The last thing I wanted was for her to reach for a weapon.

The tension was mounting, her face contorted. I was certain she was about to have a panic attack.

“Do you have anything to drink?” I asked the question by cutting the edge in my tone.

“Bottle of whiskey. Top cabinet on the right.”

I found the bottle, instantly searching for two glasses. After opening a couple of cabinet doors, I located two tumblers alongside three sippy cups with superheroes on them. Another reminder Gio was a fucking asshole. Didn’t he give a shit he’d fathered a kid? Anger boiled deep within me.

I’d thought him my friend, but I should have known better. I poured us both a drink and sat down opposite her.

“Gio doesn’t want anything to do with his son. Right?”

She snorted, glancing at me as if I’d lost my mind. “No. My sweet Jake is an embarrassment to him. He told me the other night he wanted me dead. Both of us. How can you think that way about a child? His own flesh and blood?” She blinked several times, but I noticed the tears in her eyes.

I’d never considered myself a decent man, at least not after spending the last few years with the Valenti family, but I wouldn’t walk away from a child I’d fathered for any reason.

Her eyes were now imploring, searching for some possible consideration of kindness and it was a question I had no answer to. I’d always known Gio was a playboy. Hell, we’d shared a woman or two in our more raucous days, but I’d realized a fewyears before it had been time to grow the fuck up. He hadn’t followed in my footsteps.

“Has he given you any money?” I asked.

“He did at first when he demanded I have an abortion. I couldn’t do it. I love my little boy so much. I just… He was so mad at me, so angry. I just don’t understand how he doesn’t care about his own flesh and blood.” She pulled the glass to her lips and almost choked on the liquid.

I’d never been put in this position and I wasn’t happy about it. I also wasn’t certain if there was anything I could do to save her life. I was in way too deep with the Valenti family. With a single phone call, my life would be sacrificed through torture or by incarceration. Lucian was fair, but he wouldn’t accept anything he considered betrayal. If only I knew whether he’d condoned this or not.

If I didn’t kill her, someone else would be sent. What also pissed me off was that Gio was too chickenshit to do the deed himself. Fuck the man.

“Other than Gio, does anyone else in the Valenti organization know about your existence?”

“I don’t think so, but it’s not like he confided in me with anything in his life. I don’t know if you know Gio at all, but he wasn’t forthcoming with anything. Why do you ask? You’re just going to kill me. Does it even matter?” She was becoming more exasperated.

“How did you meet?”

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