Page 42 of Knocked up by the Mafia

I look at Ivan, who looks ready to explode.

Chapter 24 - Natalia

I sit back. Jarryd refuses to sit down and hovers at the door as Ivan and Alessandro discuss what’s happening.

Alessandro points to me. “Ivan, she’s a grown woman. You should let her choose her path.”

“This is nothing to do with our family or alliance,” Ivan is terse. “Don’t worry yourself about it.”

“Except you involved my family when you asked Carmine and Dominic to track them. Dominic was shot, remember? Then you called Frankie, Dominic, and Carmine to go with you to the Irish territory to retrieve someone who was perfectly safe and happy. You’ve already involved me in this.”

Ivan looks frustrated and holds his hands up. “I told them to check with you first.”

“They did, and I agreed to help you because I’d like to think we have that kind of mutual respect for each other, a respect we have shared for years now. Ivan, letting her go isn’t admitting you’re wrong. Negotiate with the Quinn family. Bring them to our side. One more friend is one less enemy. Don’t you always say it’s about playing chess?”

“I’m not giving them an inch of my territory,” Ivan hisses, and I glance at Jarryd, who is playing on his phone.

“I’m not asking you to give territory. I’m telling you to hire them. Hire their services. Let them patrol our territories and keep people in line. I’ve heard the same rumors about Ronan Quinn you have, and you know he’s a businessman and a traditional man who keeps his word.”

“Again, just reminding you that the Sorvinos were your sworn enemy once,” I say loudly.

Ivan glares at me. “People have to stop using that as some sort of weapon against me.”

I try not to smile. That comment means he’s cracked. He’s going to consider it.

He turns back to Alessandro. “If the negotiations go favorably, I will agree to this idea, but I want an iron-clad contract, Alessandro.”

Jarryd’s phone rings and he frowns.

“Hi, Robbie, I’m almost….”

He pauses and listens, looking at me in horror. I get up and ask, “Is it Daniel?”

I can feel Ivan and Alessandro are alert now.

Jarryd swallows. “I’ll meet you at the hospital, then we’ll decide from there.”

I reach out and grab Jarryd’s hand as he lowers it from his ear. I squeeze his wrist. “Tell me.”

“They detonated two bombs in front of the pub. The first one disorientated Dan, and he was taken by the Sicilians. Ronan came to save him, but the second blast went off, and he was buried under some rubble. He’s in surgery now. Robbie needs me to go to the hospital to decide on a plan. We need to rescue Danny because if Ronan doesn’t make it…” he looks at me sadly, “then Dan is next in line.”

“I’m going to find Daniel,” I say, but before I can step into the house, Ivan catches my arm. “No. I don’t care if you love the man. We play by the rules, Natalia. This is not our war; if you go near the Sicilians, you and your child are in danger. You need to think rationally.”

I realize he’s not going to let me go easily, so I nod.

“You’re right, Ivan. I need to protect the baby. It’s what Daniel would want.” Ivan lets go of my arm and looks at Jarryd. “You should go to your brother.”

“Nat, we’ll find Daniel. Don’t worry.” Jarryd doesn’t sound sure. I don’t think he’s as involved in the family business. He might be able to kill people, but he’s not a leader, and he knows Robbie is a loose cannon. He’s scared.

I want to comfort him, but my own plans are running through my mind, so I nod. “Go. I know you’ll find him.”

“Alessandro, let’s go discuss this in my office. Natalia, what are you going to do with yourself?” Ivan inclines his head, waiting for me to be bossy.

“I’m going to shower,” I comment. “It will relax me.”

He looks surprised but satisfied. “Very well. Join us in my office when you’re done.”

I watch him leave. The guard that he assigned to me follows me toward the bathroom. I go in and look at him. “You don’t get to see me naked.”

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