Page 26 of Hot Momosa

“Text me the address and a list of what they need.” Marco remained silent for a long moment, before he said, “Something about this makes no sense. If they guy was out to hurt her and Gunnar, why didn’t he? He had access to both of them.”

Now that the adrenaline had faded, and I could think straight, the situation did seem odd. “You’re right. It could have been a scare tactic, but to what end?”

“No clue, bro.” Marco sighed. “I should have sent someone with her today. We protect our women. It’s the first rule of this family.”

“I understand. You’re trying to keep me and the rest of us away from the mob.”

“You’re not making it easy on me. The pics of the two of you playing tonsil hockey will make it to Italy. If Calhoun wins the election—”

“Other families will think you have an in with the new President of the United States.” I hadn’t thought of it like that. Marco was doing his damnedest to break ties with the Cosa Nostra. If the other members of the Fratellanza thought he had an in with the president…they’d never agree to let him out. In fact, they’d likely drag us all back into the fold whether we wanted it or not.

Marco had continued talking, but I’d missed most of what he’d said. “…Stuart is one thing. Everyone knows he works for Ma. My direct involvement is a different matter entirely.”

“Right.”

“Sorry, bro. I don’t want to see you end up like…” He hesitated, but it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out he was worried I’d end up like him. God only knew what Marco had done, or ordered others to do, since taking over as capo.

“This is the only thing I’ll ask of you. I swear it on my life.” The weight of my words sat heavy on my shoulders.

“It’d better be.” He cleared his throat. “A favor here, and a favor there, and before you realize it, you’re up to your ass in the business again.”

“That’s the last thing I want.” And on that note, time to change the subject. “By the way, Maggie guilted me into spending some time with Gabe. What do you say to getting the rest of our knucklehead brothers out on the water one day this week?”

“Fishing and beer? As if you have to ask.” Marco sounded like his old goofball self for the first time in over a year. I’d missed this side of him.

“Great. I’ll touch base with Enzo and Dante and let you know when.”

“So…” The sound of a door closing came over the line, and Marco whispered, “A little unsolicited advice?”

“Do I have a choice?” I deadpanned, but in all honesty, I’d take all of the fucking advice I could get.

“Leak a fake location and let Stuart take care of it.” He chuckled. “If I were you, I’d pack her and the kid up and get out of town. Go to the bayou or the mountains or Timbuk-freaking-tu. Anywhere as long as there’s no internet and spotty cell reception.”

Is he kidding?“And what? Hold her hostage?”

“There are other potential benefits to holing up with Dahlia for a week.” Judging by the tone of his voice, he’d wiggled his brows when he’d spoken—or at least grinned like a jackass.

“I’m not dragging her and my son to the middle of nowhere in hopes she’ll fall in love with me.”

“Hey, it worked for me. I never would have gotten my shit together with Nico if we hadn’t gone to the bayou.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “The swamp is no place for a two-year-old. Besides, I want to be the one to catch this asshole. I’ll make sure he knows where to find her and be waiting when he shows up.”

“You’re planning to use me as bait?” Dahlia whispered from behind me.

I turned and met her swollen, red eyes, and my heart screeched to a stop. “Hey, Marco. I need to run.”

Dahlia hung her head.

“I’d never put you in danger.” My brother continued to talk, but I disconnected the call. “Marco and I were discussing leaking a fake location. He suggested we get out of town, but it’ll seem strange if you’re not photographed in New Orleans.”

“Right. Like I said, you’re planning to use me as bait.”

I hadn’t thought this through enough to come up with a solid plan. “Or we find a decoy. Either way, I arranged security for you.”

“Mob security?” Her eyes widened.

Yes, sort of. Damn it. “No. This has nothing to do with the Cosa Nostra. It’s between me and Marco. He agreed to put Stuart on you and Gunnar for a week.”

---