Page 10 of Cassio (Belles & Mobsters 3)

“Oh, hey Alan,” she called out after him. Alan turned back around weariness on his face. His one hand came to the back of his neck as he stared at her again, long and hard. I should really find Alan a better suited position. He was a good man but way too serious. “There will be three guys coming soon. Good looking, Irish brothers.”

Luciano, Nico, and I shared a glance. This was going unexpectedly.

“Yeah?”

Even in the dark hallway, I could see her full red lips curve into a smile. “Don’t let them in. Under any circumstances.”

“Are they bothering you?” Alan inquired, concern lacing his voice. He had a protective streak about him, especially when it came to vulnerable women. It was the reason I liked him.

She waved her hand. “No, but they are party poopers.”

His eyes came to me again. I nodded in agreement. Then he shook his head and left us to get back to his job. I let out a soft laugh as my gaze roamed over her body. This was the most surprising rendezvous I’ve had in years.

My eyes locked on the woman that nine years ago made me believe I could make a difference. And since then, with the friends and alliances we’d forged, we all started working towards one common goal.

Saving women. Eliminating the men that used and hurt them.

If I ever wondered whether we made a difference, all I had to do was remember this girl. She grew up into a stunning woman.A Wonder Woman, I thought amusingly. Just like the costume dress that hugged her curves and left her toned legs on full display.

She was short, five foot five and next to my six-three she seemed somehow small and delicate, almost fragile. But underneath it all, there was strength. I could sense it today even more than nine years ago.

“Thanks for that,” she spoke softly, a smile curving her full lips.

Her eyes roamed over Luciano and Nico and something deep within me was agitated that she was even looking at them. So unusual. I squashed jealousy a long time ago and found it to be a useless feeling.

Then finally her gaze settled on me.Like it should, only on me,I thought silently.

Our eyes locked and the depths of her ocean pools hit me right in the chest. Just like they did all those years ago. Her eyebrows furrowed and she tilted her head, studying my face. There was no recognition in them, just confusion.

“You look familiar,” she uttered in a whisper, almost as if speaking to herself. “But I never forget a face, so it can’t be…” Her slim fingers raised and started massaging her temple.

Did she not remember?

“What’s your name?” I asked her though I knew it. She wasn’t someone I could ever forget. I was damn sure to look up her family after she was safely in the hospital all those years ago.

She shook her head, as if she was trying to clear her head and a smile came to her lips.

“Diana Prince,” she retorted. Really? She was going all out with her character, huh?

“Okay, Wonder Woman. Do you have a name outside your character?”

She chuckled.

“I don’t think so, buddy,” she murmured softly.Buddy?“My mum always warned me about talking to strangers, especially the ones that don’t dress up for Halloween costume parties.”

Nico and Luciano chuckled behind me. Glad they were amused.

“Áine!” A woman’s voice traveled over and I grinned. “Jesus, I thought they got you!”

I glanced in the voice’s direction and saw a woman dressed in Black Widow costume. Margaret Callahan. I recognized the niece of the head of the Irish mafia.

I guess these two young ladies were going for a superhero theme.

“And we have your name,” I announced smugly.

Annoyance flashed in Áine’s eyes that her name just got blasted. My lips curved into a smile. I’d have to thank my brother Luca for insisting to celebrate nothing in particular, though he disappeared before we arrived. Tonight had just gotten better.

Dismissing me, Áine strode around me towards her friend. “You are the worst accomplice,” she told her. “And the worst party accomplice. You never leave anyone behind. Don’t you know the saying,‘no troll left behind’.”

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