Page 51 of The Don

CHAPTER36

LEO

I’ve never experienced relief like it. When I saw Chastity waiting by the gate, I swear every prayer I have ever offered came back to reward me. She was safe, apparently unhurt, and intact. The fact she fell into my arms told me she was damaged inside and that created a cold, hard fury to burn inside me. Whatever happened to her tonight will not go unpunished, but my first thought was taking care of the woman I love.

When I blurted out my feelings, it felt right. For a woman who has dealt with shit alone all her life, I wanted her to know I was hers if she wanted me or not. When she said it back, it stunned me a little. Nobody has ever said those words to me in my life, and it meant a lot. More than she will ever realize and as I revisit the conversation while she lies sleeping on my chest, I tighten my hold on the one woman I never thought I’d find.

As I plot the downfall of our cruelest enemy, the phone rings beside my bed and I note a call from Dom.

Chastity stirs as I grab the cell and say with a sudden fear, “Dom.”

“He’s ok.”

Those two words were all I needed to hear to make me release the fear I’ve nurtured all night.

Dom continues,“The doctor said he’ll make a full recovery and just needs to rest.”

“Good luck telling him that.” I huff and Dom growls,“I won’t need to. Abigail has already promised to keep him in line and, from the look in her eye, he doesn’t stand a fucking chance.”

It makes me smile knowing the power love holds over a man, me included, and as Chastity stirs, I stroke her hair and feel a certain kind of peace inside as my family comes together.

“The cops are curious.”Dom reminds me of the permanent itch we need to scratch, and I sigh. “I’ll get Ryan onto it.”

Dom says with a sigh.“Today is a big day.”

He reminds me what’s at stake and I say ominously, “We’ll be prepared.”

There’s a short silence and then he says,“I’ll finish up here and head home. We face them as a family.”

His words cut me deep because there will only be two of us attending this will reading when it should have been four. One is dead and the other one resisting it, currently strapped to machines in the hospital.

I snap, “Ortega Mafia stays with us or I die trying.”

“There will be no more Ortega deaths. Only Matasso.”Dom growls and it makes me smile because with my enforcer by my side, how can I possibly lose?

* * *

I leaveChastity to sleep and head downstairs, intent on only one thing. Facing my stepmother and dragging out the information I need.

Mrs. English is standing at the foot of the stairs and smiles. “Breakfast is on the terrace, sir.”

“Is my stepmother there?”

She shakes her head. “I haven’t seen her this morning, sir.”

I nod and head out into the brilliant sunshine and Ryan appears by my side as if by magic.

“Morning, boss.”

“It’s an important one, Ryan.”

We take our seats and I say darkly, “I need to interrogate Diana.”

He shakes his head. “She’s not here, boss.”

“Where is she?”

My anger sharpens as he raises his eyes. “She never returned last night. Apparently, she told her guard she was staying with a friend and would make her own way home.”

---