Page 41 of These Sinful Kingdoms

“Liam will come asking questions at some point since it is your church. You can trust him.” Luca said softly, starting the car and letting out a sigh as we drove away.

“These people truly don’t care what they do anymore, do they?” I said as I watched the streetlights.

“No. Rocco never was one for being subtle and it would seem now he is trying to make a point. I wouldn’t put it past him as using this as a way to also finish what Alonso started.” Luca ran his hand through his hair as he gripped the steering wheel tighter with the other.

"What did he start?” I asked, not sure I understood. I may have been employed by the man, but I kept to my church duties and never looked into the life of the mafia.

“To undermine the Maddens. Alonso was determined to take back control of Sinclair Bay and bring it under Italian territory. That is what led to his death. Rocco was the sinister voice in his ear, whispering dreams of grandeur and a return to the days of old. It seems he is doing the same to Nicolo now as well.” Kenji’s phone cut him off as it rang.

“Hey, Kingston. We are on our way home now. Yeah okay. Will do. We are fine. See you soon.” Kenji said as he hung up.

“Liam is at the house waiting already. He has a partner with him, but someone he trusts. Aurora is freaking out.” he said as he sat back in the seat with a long sigh. Luca’s jaw twitched slightly, the only sign that he was stressed.

“You have a choice to make, Caleb. You are either all in from now on, or you cut ties and walk away. You can’t continue this indecision. I get you are having some kind of crisis of faith but remember you were the one who wanted this, you confessed your feelings and asked her to let you in. Now you have to man up and commit. She can’t afford to have her attention divided now. This is a test for her as much as it is for Nicolo.” Luca spoke softly but there was a firmness in his tone that left an or else hanging in the air.

“What is the test for her?” I asked, deliberately avoiding the rest of what he said so I could process it.

“To see if she is finally going to take control of what belongs to her. She has it in her to be a leader, she just needs to believe in herself. My job and Kingston’s is to keep her alive and help build her up. But her job is to rule the family. It was always meant to be her. Nicolo never intended to take control. He knew his sister was better suited. Rocco was the one that refused to see it. She is being pushed right now but eventually, she will have to take over and she needs our support to do that. Are you willing to support her, Caleb?” Luca said as he pulled into the driveway, turning the car off and staring at me.

“Because if you decide to torment her with your lack of decision for a moment longer, I will destroy you. I have been patient with you. I am willing to accept you in her life as a lover just as I have with Kingston and Kenji. I will protect you just as I do with them but if you don’t make a choice now and choose to continue to string her along, I will put a bullet in your head to save us all the pain and misery. So, what will it be, Priest? A life of love and family who have your back, or a life of longing, regret, and loneliness?” Luca crossed his arms, leaning against the door as he waited for my answer.

Kenji watched me from the back seat, curiosity in his eyes as he waited, like we were all suspended in time. I took a deep breath, knowing that this is what I needed. The push off the cliff to get me to make a choice.

“I am done waiting and longing. My life begins now. With all of you.” I said, conviction ringing through my voice as something settled in my chest. A feeling of rightness.

As I said that, a glow from the front door opening shined into the car, right on cue as if the heavens themselves were blessing the decision.

“Good. Now let’s get you settled in.”

Chapter twenty-one

Aurora

Laughterfromthelivingroom had me feeling a little more relaxed as we walked through the Madden home. Kenji and Caleb were with us, deciding to be a part of whatever was coming.

I glanced at Kenji, worried that this might be overstimulating for him, but he seemed to be handling it pretty well. Something had shifted between him and Luca since yesterday, bringing them closer together.

“Hey, girl! Come check this out! We want your opinion on the hottest player.” Serena called as she saw me walk around the corner.

Elsie was next to her with Aisling in her lap and the men seemed to be looking a little disgruntled, all except for Connor who looked to be thoroughly amused.

“Ummm okay. What am I looking at?” I asked as Serena hurried over with her laptop and pointed to the screen. I noticed the title of the website first – Sports Sensual, and then the images of the players.

“Ice hockey?” I questioned and she nodded excitedly.

“Oh yeah. Did you know we have our own national league here in Australia too? Not as big as the American one but still. So, check out the players and tell me which one is your favorite.” She set the laptop down so I could scroll through the images.

“This guy looks hot.” I pointed at the player called Zach and Luca leant over my shoulder, nodding.

“Yeah. I could get around that.” He said with a grin and the men groaned from their seats.

“Stop encouraging them! They have been making us watch ice hockey games nonstop. You realize that next month’s romance book is going to be hockey romance now.” Liam said as he sat down at the table. Serena rolled her eyes and kissed his cheek.

“Stop it. You are all just jealous because they can legally beat people up on the ice and get away with it. We didn’t force you to watch the games, you all wormed your way in and are more invested than we are.” She closed the laptop with a grin as Connor cackled.

“She isn’t wrong, Liam. I caught you watching the latest game on your phone. Don’t worry. I am doing all the research to pick the best book for our club.” Connor’s eyes met mine with a hint of mischief as he looked at Caleb behind me.

“I see you took this month’s reading seriously.” He winked and Elsie slapped his arm, muttering for him to be quiet as the other men coughed to cover their laughs.

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