Page 86 of Psycho

“Do your brothers want me dead?”

It’s the first time she has asked about them, so I’m taken aback, but it does make perfect sense that she’d be concerned about her safety.

“Baby, I would never let them fucking touch you, but I’m pretty sure at least one of them is afraid of you.”

She glances at me incredulously.

“I’m sure the big, bad Bonetti brothers are afraid of me.”

I arch an eyebrow at her and chuckle.

“Little lamb, you are the first woman we have ever seen roast a dick, cut it into pieces, and feed it to the owner. Any man would be at least a little afraid after seeing that.”

I put my SUV into park as she giggles softly. I kiss her on the lips before I get out and walk around to her side, opening the door for her. We turn to walk toward the door, and there stands my mother, already sobbing, with her hands covering her face.

The emotion is thick as my mother races toward her, takes her into her arms, and, as I suspected, holds her like she may never let her go.

“Mama, can we go inside now?”

She removes her hold on my girl, taking her hands and appraising her. Spotting the yellow bruises on her face, she shakes her head with disapproval.

“My sweet Hadley.”

Mama brushes the side of her cheek softly, and says, “You’re home now, where you belong, with my Massimo. He will love you the way you deserve.”

I nearly choke on my goddamn tongue. Does she even know me? I don’t fucking love. If I tried, I’d need some fucking idiot’s guide, because I don’t have a clue how it feels, or how it happens. The cold hard truth is, I don’t want it. I don’t want what my brothers have, being all consumed by a woman. Losing control, because they are always the target with our enemies. It’s not lost on me, that is what I just went through with her, but that wasn’t related to my family. That was all because of her piece of shit ex.

I rub the spot on my chest as I order them both inside. We walk in, and are immediately greeted by the entire family. Reaper, Kage, and Bones stand to the side, as our women meet for the first time, except, of course, she has already met Raina, who stares at her with tear-filled eyes, before she darts her gaze to me, and a glare washes away her emotion.

I should’ve fucking killed her.

Raina is a pain in the ass, but she doesn’t own responsibility for Hadley coming after us, or anything that happened before, leading to it. Even if I don’t like a person, I will never shift responsibility for my purpose.

Bella, my serial killer sister-in-law, takes Hadley’s hand and beams, as her gaze darts between mine and my girl’s.

“You’re my actual hero,” she croons, before adding, “I want all the details.”

“Bella,” I snap, and nod to my mother.

Mama stares at me and shakes her head.

“I already know, figlio. I don’t like it, but he deserved it.”

She knows the type of men we are, but we don’t give her details. Normally. I don’t know who told her, or why, but she didn’t need that information. We try to protect her as much as we can.

Bones jerks his jaw toward the kitchen, summoning us, and I lean down, kissing Hadley on the forehead, before I follow after my brothers.

My brother passes us all a glass of whiskey, before darting his gaze, to make sure the women aren’t within earshot, before he speaks.

“I’ve been doing some digging, with a little help from Benji.”

I nod my understanding, urging him to continue.

“You aren’t going to like this, brother. Other than Jimmy, Carlo has had one visitor coming to see him weekly.”

Glaring at him, ready to bark at him to spit it out, he says, “Danielle.”

“Who the fuck is Danielle?”

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