Page 73 of Cassio (Belles & Mobsters 3)

Ruthless. The rumors about Cassio King were true.

He wore a dark suit with a silver watch and diamond cufflinks, dressing up for the engagement announcement. The suit accented his broad shoulders and strong body, it fit him like a glove. If it wasn’t for those tattoos on his hands that I knew covered his whole arm, and that harshness in his eyes, he could pass for just another good looking guy. A totally hot man with a strong body that could smash you to pieces… but hey, who was worried about that? Not when he could dish out orgasms to keep you going for years.

“This is a major obstacle in the plan to connect the Callahan and King line,” Cassio’s voice was sending shivers down my spine. “Lives are being lost because of my half-brother and his forceful grip on New York.”

“Well, why don’t you handle your brother?” I snapped. “After all, he isyourbrother. Why should Margaret have to pay the price for your fucked up family relations?”

God, I wished this man was easier to read. I couldn’t tell whether I pissed him off or he just didn’t give a shit about what I was saying.

“It is your problem as much as mine,” Cassio drawled. “Since Marco has his eyes set on Callahan territory and its women.”

I glanced at Jack for confirmation. Nobody has said anything about Marco King coming for Callahan territory. Not that I or Margaret would have known. Jack spoke about his business only to his men and my mother.

Wait! He saidits women.

The meaning of it lingered in the silence while we all sat watching each other. Jack got up and poured himself a stiff one. Scotch from the looks of it.

“Drink anyone?” he offered, but everyone shook their heads in refusal except Margaret.

“I’ll have one,” Margaret said.

My head snapped to her. “You can’t have alcohol,” I scolded her.

“Shit,” she muttered. “I forgot.”

There was anguish in her eyes. I’d recognize it anywhere. She was scared, whether it was about her pregnancy or what would happen, I wasn’t sure. I wanted to assure her I’d be on her side, and I wouldn’t let anything happen. Arrangement or no arrangement. But with Cassio and Luca King in the room, as well as Jack, I couldn’t say anything. I just hoped she could read it in my eyes.

The clinking of ice cubes had me returning my attention to my stepfather. Jack’s hand tightened around his glass, his knuckles turning white. This was bad, really bad.

“Áine, I didn’t want to do this,” Callahan muttered under his breath. “I didn’t want to pull you into this, and I promised your mother I’d keep you out of all of it at all cost.”

I frowned at his words. It seemed he was going for cryptic announcements today. From the moment Jack and Mom got together, he had protected me, but his comment about keeping me out of all of it made no sense.

“What do you mean?” I questioned him.

Ignoring me, he picked up the phone.

“Tell my wife I need her in my office,” he gritted out into the headset. The look in his eyes once he hung up was the one I never saw before. Anxiousness. In all the years, it was the first time I saw him nervous.

He turned his hardened gaze to Margaret. “You will leave us now. Stay in the house. I expect you to remain here for dinner… for Áine.”

Resentment hit me that he’d talk to her like that. “Don’t speak to her like that,” I warned in a soft voice. “Shit happens. It’s not her fault.”

“Maybe,” he spoke in a low voice. “But she knew about the engagement. Getting knocked up was not the way to respect the agreement. And now you’ll have to pay for it.”

I frowned and confusion hit me. Sharing a look with Margaret, I saw she wasn’t following either, but his words upset her. Tears glistened in her eyes. And shenevercried.

“It’s okay,” I mouthed low to her. Jack didn’t know crap. He should blame himself or Cassio King for that matter. My eyes shifted to the two King members again but their faces were masks, their expressions unreadable.

After all these years, I never dreamt this would be how I’d learn the identity of Cassio and Luca King. How did they keep themselves in the shadows? Not a single picture or piece of information on them on the net.

“I should go too,” I muttered and was half way sitting up from my chair. I needed to get away from here and get my head together.

“No. Stay.” Cassio gave the order, and I froze at his cold tone. I met Jack’s eyes and he nodded. My sixth sense was sending warning flares throughout my body. The world was going to hell in a handbasket if I was taking orders from Cassio King.

I watched Margaret walk out of the room, throwing me a worried backward glance.

I smiled at her, although I was sure it was a shaky smile at best, and again, I mouthed to herI’m good. It took a lot to get to me. Okay, maybe I feigned being braver than I really was but it was no use to stress her out too.

---