Page 42 of Fortress of the Brave

Angelo told me they’d had a rough start in life, with both of their parents dying when they were children in a car accident.

And that Rayne had taken on the role of looking after Mia, filling in the parental role that Mia so desperately needed. It’s not easy thinking about losing a parent. I was very young when my father was killed, but I still remember him. He will always be a hero in my eyes.

I know that I could settle down with Mia, and it troubles me even more because I’ve never felt that way about anyone.

I decide to let some time go by and see how things play out. Making a move right now isn’t a smart idea. Angelo would have me by the balls for one.

We have cards night down at the club, and even Angelo tears himself away from Rayne for it. We haven’t seen him down here in a while.

Angelo faking his death comes and goes in the news. In this city, there’s always something happening that’ll overshadow even the most somber of news.

“How’s Mia doing?” I ask Angelo when we’re deep in the poker game in the back room at Bijou. I’ve been too busy at work to watch her like I usually do.

All of us are relaxed tonight, happy to no longer be hiding at Fortress or Falmouth.

Then he hits me with a bombshell. “Mia needs to go to New York to get the rest of her things,” Angelo says, surprising me. “And you’re going to go with her.”

I look at him, alarmed. “Why me?”

Angelo rolls his eyes. “Because everyone else is busy.”

“Why the fuck would she want to move to Boston?” Fynn scratches his head. “You’d think she’d want to be as far from here as possible.”

“Her kidnapping took place in New York,” I remind him. “She doesn’t feel safe there.”

I realize what I’ve said as every pair of eyes in the room lands on me.

“She wants to be closer to her sister,” Angelo finishes. “And she’ll be safer here. This is the next best solution besides putting security on her, which I’m sure she wouldn’t like. Plus, she seems to like her job at Bijou.”

“So Mia will live with Rayne?” I press.

Angelo shakes his head. “Not long term. Rayne will give her the apartment and move in with me, but she can stay at the casino if she feels safer. As long as everyone’s happy, and Rayne gets to sleep at night, that’s all that matters.”

“Things are moving awfully fast, brother,” Marco notes. “Not that I don’t approve. I think she’s made you a little less grouchy these last few months.”

Chuckles run through the group. All except Rocco, I don’t think I’ve seen him smile, unless it’s toward Sloane and Charlie. Then he’s like the cat who got the cream.

“Very funny, fuckface.”

“Angelo, I’m swamped right now. Can’t someone else do it?” I don’t want to be alone with her because I know where it will lead.

“Hey, don’t look at me,” Fynn scoffs. “I’ve got meetings all week.”

“With hookers?” Marco says, rolling his eyes.

“Like I need to pay for hookers,” Fynn replies. “Just because all of you are tied down, and have a short leash, doesn’t mean the rest of us have to suffer along with you.”

“You can take me out of the equation,” I say as Angelo shuffles the cards.

Fynn turns to me. “What? Like you haven’t been mooning over Mia this entire time?”

My eyes go wide, and I feel Angelo look at me sharply. The whole thing behind Mia being off limits is that if I break her heart, she’ll be upset; if she’s upset, Rayne will be pissed. If it were anyone else, I doubt Angelo would give a shit what I did.

“You’re just jealous because she wouldn’t take a second look at you,” I throw back at him, avoiding looking at Angelo.

“Neither of you will be doing anything that involves Mia,” Angelo points out, sipping his whiskey. “That’s a direct order.”

“Or Sage, for that matter,” Marco puts in, looking directly at Fynn. “Break her heart, and we’ll all be looking for a new M.D. who will look the other way. If that happens, I’ll break your face.”

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