Page 93 of Cassio (Belles & Mobsters 3)

“Yes, because I will never lie to you,” I told her. “I might not tell you everything, but I won’t lie to you.”

Silence washed over both of us, filling the space between us along with my vow. I meant it when I said I wouldn’t lie to her. She’d be my equal in this marriage. I wouldn’t pull her into the illegal side of my business, but she’d be my partner in everything else.

“Did you have a tail on me? Is that how you knew I was in Turkey?” The statement she blurted came out of nowhere.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because your safety is my top priority.”

“You said Benito retaliated in more than one way. What does that mean exactly?” I wondered how much was told to her, considering her memories.

“Why do you see Dr. Taylor?” It would seem we’d have this conversation sooner versus later.

Surprise flashed in her eyes, combined with a suspicion. “How do you know about that?”

“I looked you up,” I told her. “I needed to know why you couldn’t remember me.”

When Luca and I went back to that hellhole after saving Áine, we’d taken special care to learn every man that dared lay a finger on her during her captivity. Luca and I had a long list of sins to pay for. A few more didn’t make a difference. And those men didn’t deserve anything better - for what they did to Áine and the rest of the women there.

Áine kept those memories closed in a box and refused to set them free, but I sensed her mind revolting. She’d have to face those memories sooner or later and we’d deal with it together. She was strong. Nobody and nothing would hold her down.

Least of all my brother Marco. He was the last man still breathing who dared to torture Áine. But his time was coming too.

ChapterTwenty-Nine

ÁINE

“Ilooked you up,” he told me. “I needed to know why you couldn’t remember me.”

There it was! Admission that I had met him before.

My eyes immediately darted to his hand that still covered mine. The images of the hand reaching through the fog flashed through my mind. With the same tattoo.

The throbbing in my temple increased, but I ignored it. I had to remember it. It was important; I knew it was. The harder I tried the worse the headache became. My eyes misted from intense pain, but I was unwilling to let go until firm fingers took my chin, forcing me to look at him.

“Don’t force it,” he instructed softly.

I blinked, drowning in his dark gaze and through the fog a clear memory surfaced.

“We are here to help you.”The voice was Hunter’s. “I’m Cassio. This is my brother Luca.”There were dirty walls everywhere, screams in the distance. All I felt was fear in the pit of my stomach. And hope, staring into this man’s dark eyes full of compassion.“Callahan sent us.”

I blinked again and swallowed hard, while my heart thundered under my rib cage.

“Holy shit,” I muttered. “You and Luca. I met you both. Jack sent you to get me.” I shook my head, memories incoherent. “Where was I?”

“Turkey.” I opened my mouth to ask the next question, when he stopped me. “You have to remember on your own. I’ll help you along.”

This was unreal. I thought him my enemy less than twenty-four hours ago, and now he was unraveling the images that lurked in my mind. Something settled deep inside my chest and it would remain. I knew it as well as my own heartbeat.

“Thank you,” I told him softly.

He’d never know how much that piece of memory meant to me. I had questions, now more than ever, but I also felt like a tiny piece of me was put back where it belonged all along.

“No more Dr. Taylor,” he said, his voice unnegotiable.

“But she helps with my headaches,” I retorted. Those migraines could get very bad, and I was already overdue for a visit.

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