Page 126 of Toxic

He slams the door.

Tristano chuckles. "He was doing so well."

"Yep," I agree.

Massimo steps forward. "He needs to be in that match. He's ready."

My chest tightens, knowing I've got a fight in front of me with Bridget. She's still scared he's going to get hurt. The truth is, a few weeks ago, I did approach it with her. But she wasn't open to it. I backed off, hoping I planted a seed and she would be more willing to discuss it at a later time. I reply, "He's ready when Bridget gives her permission."

Massimo groans. "I liked Sean's idea better."

I slap his head harder than I hit Sean's.

He elbows me. "I've told you not to do that!"

"Don't put ideas into Sean's head. If you do, I'll slit your throat in your sleep, little brother," I threaten. The last thing I need is any of my brothers influencing Sean in the wrong direction. I promised Bridget I'd take care of him and do things on her terms. I'm not breaking my word.

"Wow. So much for blood is thicker than pussy," Massimo loudly states.

Angry heat flares in my cheeks. I grab him by the collar, lowering my voice, pinning my gaze on his. "Shut up."

He holds his hands in the air. "Easy."

I glance toward the bathroom to make sure Sean's still out of earshot. "If I find out you told him about his mother and me, I won't ever forgive you."

"You need to tell him."

"Not your business," I proclaim, but he's right. It's a constant strain in Bridget's and my relationship. Everyone knows about us except the kids. The day I dropped her off and spoke with Tully, I already asked his permission to marry her.

Bridget's so worried about repairing her O'Malley issues with Fiona and Sean that she can't see that this has nothing to do with it. All she sees it as is another reason for them to get upset with her.

Lately, it's causing more tension between us. If we didn't have this issue, we wouldn't have any. I've tried to be patient and let her be comfortable with telling them, but I'm starting to feel like she never will be. As much as I don't want to take it personally, it's getting harder not to.

Massimo pushes out of my hold. "Suit yourself. I have to get ready."

"Where are you going?"

"He's going to make that librarian suck his cock again," Tristano taunts.

Massimo spins. "Shut up, cocksucker."

The hairs on my neck rise. I hope it's not who I think it is, but there's only one librarian I can think of who he knows. I firmly interrogate, "What, librarian?"

He shoots daggers at Tristano.

"Hey, man, I told you to come clean," he says.

"Come clean about what?" I ask, but I already know where this is heading.

Massimo sniffs hard, standing taller. "She's not with them."

I move closer. "You can get pussy anywhere. Tell me you aren't fucking a woman who helped the Abruzzos."

He shifts on his feet. "Donato forced her to help him."

"Bullshit," I snap.

Gianni steps next to me, shaking his head. "She helped that bastard hold Arianna hostage."

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