Page 85 of Toxic

I rub my hand over my face then pause. Gianni's behind me. I don't need to turn to know it. I can always feel my brother when he's within several feet. He senses me as well. I ask, "You eavesdropping?"

He grunts. "You're asking for trouble taking Sean under your wing."

I spin. "Didn't ask for your opinion."

He crosses his arms. Disapproval is written all over his face. "When you and Bridget coming clean?"

My chest tightens the same way it always does whenever I think about how Bridget still hasn't accepted us. I sniff hard. "Did you come into my office for a reason?"

He shakes his head, clenching his jaw.

"Fine. I'll see you later," I state, brushing past him.

"Wait!"

I turn, scowling. His ongoing stance I end it with Bridget is getting old.

His eyes darken. "I think we need to move forward with our plan at the docks."

My stomach dives. Papà still hasn't agreed to it, which is increasing Gianni's irritation. The more time that passes, the harder it gets for me not to go against my father's wishes. The Abruzzos are moving in the gray zone, getting closer to our territory. It's no longer just two men, either. They increased to six this week. I state the same thing I've been saying, "We need to get Papà on board."

The hatred in Gianni's eyes spirals into a dark tornado of fury. Whenever I see it, I know he's a few steps away from taking matters into his own hands. So I move closer and warn, "Don't do something without my agreement. If we do go against Papà, it's together, just like everything else we've ever done."

"I'm over your hesitation. That port is our livelihood. It's time to take the Abruzzos out. We've got Rossi weapons to plant to pin it on them. I've talked to the O'Malleys and Ivanovs. There's no reason not to move forward."

"Except Papà still isn't on board."

"He's delusional on this matter. We both know it."

Sighing, I shift on my feet. The inability of our father to give us the go-ahead is testing me in a way I've never experienced before. Patience isn't a trait I execute very often. Like Gianni, I make a decision and act. But defying the orders of the head of any crime family, no matter if you're blood or not, is a severe offense. Once we enact our plan, Papà will know it was us. It won't be something we can hide. I reply, "There will be consequences if we move forward. You and I are both aware it could create a war between Papà trying to keep control and us taking reign of the Marinos. I don't want to test how Papà will react. Neither do you."

Gianni grinds his molars then lowers his voice. "If Papà can't keep control of our port, then we have no future. If he would rather go to war with us, then that's his decision."

A pain streaks through my heart. I put my hand on my brother's cheek and sternly warn, "You're speaking from emotion. Let's speak to Papà again, but you don't do something without me. Understand?"

"Is that what you'd risk?" Papà's voice booms behind us.

My stomach flips, and I turn. He pins his angry eyes on us, but I don't miss the betrayal in them.

I quickly reply, "No. We won't."

He clenches his jaw, studying us. His wrath and Gianni's twist in my nerves, almost making me dizzy. The silence only intensifies the tension.

I motion to the sitting area, trying to diffuse the situation. "Let's all sit down and talk."

Papà shakes his head then points at us. "My own blood? My firstborn sons are two people I need to worry about?"

"No," I reiterate, silently willing Gianni to agree, but his stubbornness won't allow him.

Papà crosses the room, not tearing his gaze off Gianni. When he gets in front of us, he asks, "You would be willing to start a war with me?"

Gianni finally caves. "No. That's not what I want. None of us do."

"That wasn't my question," Papà seethes.

"The port is our most important asset."

"And you don't believe I know this? You no longer have faith I'm waiting for the right moment to attack and having conversations with the right people?"

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