Page 112 of Highball and Chain

Without hope of a future with Shanna, I had nothing to lose by agreeing to marry Nico. I could finally have everything I wanted. Respect, control, power… I could give my brothers their freedom and ensure the safety and quality of life of the people in Comiso. Hell, I’d probably move to Sicily and be treated like a fucking rock star.

It seemed like a dream come true, but there was one huge problem—and it wasn’t being chained to Nico for the rest of my life. I didn’t want it.

I don’t want that life. I want the white picket fence with Shanna. Fuck Jackson Landry. I’m not giving up without a fight.

Taking the stairs two at a time, I devised a battle strategy to win the girl.

“I’m not thrilled that Enzo shared as much as he did about the family business, but what’s done is done.” Gabe’s disembodied voice filled the office as I walked in.

“That’s rather hypocritical of you.” I shut the door, strode across the room, and seated myself in my father’s desk chair without making eye contact with anyone.

“I told Maggie the truth about us the night I proposed.” My brother spoke in a calm, even voice, but I detected a hint of defensiveness.

Perfect. He’s going to play right into my hand. “You shared our secrets with her because you loved her and planned to spend the rest of your life with her. Funny…I did much the same.”

Shanna stared but I pretended not to notice.

Marco and Nico exchanged glances. He grinned. She frowned.

Gabe said, “Right. Now will one of you tell me what’s going on?”

We spent the next few minutes catching him up to speed on what we knew about the Abruzzos. Mayor Carter, and Shanna’s video footage.

“I knew the Abruzzos were going to be a problem, but I didn’t see this coming.” Gabe paused, likely still processing the information. “My guess is they want to take our place in New Orleans.”

“Can they do that?” Marco turned to me, but I assumed the question was meant for our brother.

Gabe said, “Enzo, I’d like to hear your thoughts on this.”

Since when does he care what I think? “With the mayor in their pocket, the local authorities will turn a blind eye. I’m more concerned with the fact our homes and businesses are here. I can’t imagine the Abruzzos will want us to remain in the city.”

Nico nodded. “I agree. They aren’t known to share.”

“Do you honestly believe they will run you out of town?” Shanna glanced between us.

“Once they have a solid foothold, yeah. I do.” Gabe’s voice hardened. “Like it or not, this is Pops’ bad karma coming back to bite us in the ass.”

Marco rested his elbows on his thighs and clasped his hands. “Before we get too far down the Sins of the Father road, how can we stop this?”

Nico drew a deep breath. “If Enzo and I get married, the other families will support the union. The Abruzzos are strong but they can’t stand against everyone.”

Shanna hung her head. “She’s right. It’s the quickest way to avoid splitting the families into two camps and having an all-out war.”

Since when does she know our politics?I replayed our previous conversations, but couldn’t recall mentioning the possibility of a rift and what that would mean. She’s been talking to Maggie.

“My goal is for us to go legit, not force people into a marriage they don’t want,” Gabe said.

Meeting my gaze, Shanna verbally tied me to the tracks of an oncoming bullet train. “Your mother has been working with Pietro Lazio. She plans to put Enzo in your place as head of the family once he and Nico are married.”

Marco cursed under his breath and Nico nodded.

I sat there frozen, unable to make sense of why Shanna had told him. Sure, I’d planned on coming clean with him, but in my own time.

Gabe’s voice rose. “Enzo?”

“I’d planned to tell you during this call. Seems Shanna beat me to the punch.” Rather than glancing up and risk seeing their disappointed expressions, I stared at the phone. “Ma thought if I took over, I could cut the rest of you lose without any bloodshed.”

Gabe cleared his throat. “Is this what you want?”

---