Page 96 of Cassio (Belles & Mobsters 3)

“No, but it is so damn uncomfortable,” she muttered. “The tension. Uncle Jack keeps glaring at me. Your mom is trying to be a perfect hostess, eyeing Morrelli like he will kill us any minute.”

I scoffed. “Nobody is killing anyone.”

She glanced around before she continued in a hushed voice. “Nico Morrelli is ruthless. A few years ago, he hunted men that were rumored to have been connected to an attack on his sister.” I listened intently. I hadn’t heard anything about that. Not that I would have since I didn’t keep up with underworld activities. Jack did a good job keeping me out of all of it. “He tortured them and then cut them up and spread their parts to ensure their families couldn’t bury them.”

I tilted my head. “Well, if they hurt his sister, they kind of deserved it.”

Margaret’s mouth parted in shock. “You condone it?”

I shrugged. “If they had hurt his sister, I certainly agree with his methods.” I glanced around. “I mean, isn’t that what we are doing too?”

“I guess so.” She pushed her hand through her hair. “Though it seems brutal. We just kill them.”

I shrugged. Maybe part of me was as psychotic as Nico Morrelli, because the rare times I had to torture men to get information, I felt an odd satisfaction to give them taste of their own medicine.

“I feel like the culprit in your situation,” Margaret interrupted my thoughts. “I know your mother is blaming me. And I can’t even get drunk to ease the tension.”

“Don’t worry about my mother or Jack,” I told her. “They’ll get over it, and I’m a big girl. Besides, this allows me to get closer to the King trafficking business and get laid, so maybe I should thank you.”

She rolled her eyes. “You get killed and I’ll hunt you down. But… you should enjoy the spoils of war and take advantage of Cassio King. In and out of the bedroom… everywhere.” I cocked my eyebrow but couldn’t keep my lips from curving into a smile. Especially after that kiss yesterday.

I shook my head but felt my cheeks heat up. Yes, I couldn’t wait to feel him inside me and relive that night from Vegas. But there was a worry that I’d get hooked on it. Crave it like the air I breathed. My imagination wasn’t short of scenarios after getting a taste of it with Cassio and how good a man’s touch could feel. Not just any man’s touch… his specifically. He was all I could think about lately.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.” She winked. “But take my suggestion and get that fine piece of ass. Like tonight!”

“Now there is a grand idea,” I murmured.

We both chuckled softly. It was what I loved about her the most. She wasn’t afraid to go after what she wanted and she was not ashamed of enjoying carnal pleasures.

“Do you have the next location for The Rose Rescue?” Margaret asked in a low voice, changing the subject.

Now that she was pregnant, I didn’t want her to get wrapped up in any of our activities. Her baby was a priority. So, I had given the team instructions to remove Margaret from all correspondence. I knew she didn’t like it, but it was for her own safety.

It was the reason I was late. Reading a report on another shipment of women that Marco King was transporting through Turkey. John was chasing leads right at this moment. Then as if that wasn’t enough, I read the email Cassio sent to Jack about Chad Stewart. The motherfucker worked with Marco King. I’d wring his neck next time I saw him myself, though I suspected Cassio might get him before me.

Maybe if Cassio’s half-brother showed up to this intimate, family dinner I could kill him today, I thought wryly to myself. Dinner and murder show, just strike the mystery.

Though I knew Jack would never allow Marco King to step foot on the compound. He’d kill him first. And it seemed Cassio and Luca shared that hatred with us.

“So I’m out?” Margaret asked in a whiny voice.

I gave her a pointed look. She knew that I couldn’t have her involved with that stuff, putting her at risk nor our team.

“It is too dangerous,” I told her.

“Jesus, I’m barely pregnant,” she complained.

“There is no such thing asbarelypregnant,” I comforted her. “You have to think about you and the baby’s safety.”

She groaned out loud. “I know; I know.”

We walked into the dining room where everyone was already waiting for me and our conversation immediately ceased.

“Sorry, I’m late,” I apologized with a smile as I turned to everyone. I went to my mother and hugged her lightly, pressing a kiss on her offered cheek. Then I hugged Jack. The tension was still high among the three of us since the parentage revelation. I’d been avoiding their calls. Avoidance never did anyone any good, but I needed time to come to terms with all of it.

“No matter,” Jack said. “You are here now and that is all that matters.”

With a quick nod, my eyes traveled over the crowd. Cassio stood with his family and a woman. It had to be the sister he mentioned. As she turned around, I frowned and recognition immediately set in.

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