Page 62 of Cassio (Belles & Mobsters 3)

We would end this fucking suffering. We’d fight together. Always.

“I hear you might be dating?” Alessio teased. “Text dating or some shit like that. I never knew that was a thing.”

Luca had a big goddamn mouth. Texting with Áine was not dating, though I’d lie if I said I didn’t enjoy our little conversations. But I itched to have my ring on her finger.

“My dating life is none of your business.” My answer was curt, but fuck… what do you say? I have worked on my trap for almost two years so better not fuck it up? And my soon-to-be wife, I hope, has so many damn secrets, I wasn’t sure if I was coming or going. Though after our phone conversation, I really hoped I was coming.

That woman had snuck into my heart, and when it came to her, my rational mind went out the window.

Luca snickered and I glared at him.

Nico laughed, but he remained quiet since he knew most of the information on Áine. Fuck, I was sure if he wanted to, he could somehow dig up all my texts with her. Good thing he was on my side and my sister kept him busy.

“I sense a story,” Luciano taunted. Ever since he and Grace got back together, he was way too fucking happy.

“Oh, there is one,” Luca smirked.

“Shut the fuck up, brother.”

Now, everyone's eyes looked up from their cards and interest was no longer on the game.

“Now, now,” Sasha grinned. “I kind of feel left out. Tell us more about Áine Evans. Won’t you bring us up to speed, Cassio?”

“No,” I growled in response. “She is not up for discussion.”

Everyone knew what that meant.

“But she’s good to you, right?” Luciano questioned.

“Yes.” God, was she good! That was an understatement. She made me dream, fly high. Fuck, just thinking about Áine made me hard. Usually women ride high when they meet someone. In my case, it was me. I have been riding high from that first night in Temptation.

The image of Áine on her back, thrashing underneath me while moaning in pleasure flashed in my mind. Even the phone sex. Yeah, not a good thing to think about right now.

My cell rang and I glanced at it.

Instantly, I tensed and picked up the line. “Amir.”

Amir was the protection guy to my soon-to-be wife. The boy that led us to her cell and helped us get out of that cluster when we rescued Áine. Who better to protect her than the boy that blended into shadows? He had been part of Luca and my team for years now.

Of course, Áine didn’t know I had someone assigned to her already. Except, the woman was good at slipping in and out of shadows herself. Amir never lost a trail on anyone. Except Áine.

“She is leaving the country.”

“What? Again?” I growled. “She just got back!” Every single one of the looks of my friends and my brother was on me. There was only oneshe. And it wasn’t like Amir could control her travel itinerary.

I paused for a second and barked at Nico. “Can you track Áine’s phone?”

He was already on it. Nico was starting to learn that the only thing that got me riled up lately was Áine’s safety.

“She’s going to Turkey,” Nico announced. A bad feeling hit me right in the chest. Eleven years ago, I found her in Turkey beaten and bruised.

“Can you get to her before she gets on the plane?” I asked Amir. The image of her amidst danger, in a war zone, or even worse, among men like Marco kept playing in my mind.

“Only if I kidnap her,” he spat dryly. “She’s at LaGuardia, private gate.”

“Grab her and take her to Callahan or to her apartment,” I retorted dryly. Both of us knew it wouldn’t be easy, but fuck if I would let her endanger herself. Fucking Turkey! Marco’s smuggling operation always seemed to go back to Turkey. “Lock her up if you have to. Don’t let her leave until I get back.”

Alessio’s one eyebrow shot up while Nico tried hard not to smile. He better not; otherwise, I wouldn’t be responsible for what followed. Like a punch in the face.

---