Page 26 of Owned By the Mafia

He takes his crutches and slides his arms into them. “And if you’ve found someone who accepts what you do is fine, I’d hold onto them tight.”

Ronan leaves, and I sit staring into my pint. Dina needs this position, and she needs the respect. She can’t have me undermining her all the time.

I down the rest of my Guinness before I get up. Molly is coming back from the kitchen, and I smile at her.

She frowns. “And what do you want, you scallywag?”

I chuckle. “Nothing, Molly. Have a good night. I’m off to bed.”

“Good thing, too. Today’s had enough troublemakers.” She clicks her tongue and pats my cheek. “Be careful.”

She goes off, and I walk out of the pub. I can’t believe Ronan has a thing for Molly, but they’ve always been a duo. I never really understood why she hung around us. It isn’t a secret that she disagrees with our lifestyles. I guess now I know she loves Ronan.

I feel what they feel, though, because Dina is my Molly. She needs to do this on her own; she needs to gain the respect of men of all three families, and she can’t do that with my temper outstripping her calm every other meeting.

Once I’m in my apartment, I shower, put on my gray sweatpants, and sit on my bed. I can smell a faint hint of her perfume. I take out my phone and send her a text.

I hate that you’re right, but I see what you mean.

It would be good for us to take a break from each other because all we do is distract one another. I need to take a week anyway to get the men loyal to my brother in one corner. I know you can handle things, and I trust you’ll call me if you need me.

Have a good night, Dina.

I send the text and turn my phone off. I don’t understand why, if it’s the right thing, it feels like someone has shoved their hand through my chest and is trying to rip my heart out.

I miss her already. I want her back in my arms because I know that’s where she belongs.

Isn’t it where she belongs?

Chapter 14 - Dinara

As I read his message, it’s clear to me that this isn’t what I actually want, no matter what he thinks. I want to be in the apartment, in his arms, safe and sound, knowing that he will destroy the world to love me. Isn’t that the difference between a hero and a villain? He’s a villain. He’ll sacrifice everyone to spare me, to save me, to protect me.

He’s my villain.

But we distract each other, and I agree with him. The traitors are within our ranks, and it’s a good idea to see who is truly loyal to the heads of the family. Whoever it is clearly thinks that the families have gotten soft. They probably haven’t seen Alessandro recently.

I know his youngest isn’t feeling great, and he isn’t getting sleep, which doesn’t make for a fun, psychotic boss.

I need to weed out the people who are not loyal to the family. I know there are few that I can trust, so when I wake up the next day, I decide to start with Carmine. He’s closely tied to the family through his marriage to Ariana. He’s out at the soundproof shooting range on the other side of the property. I make my way there, my mind trying desperately to stray back to thoughts of Robbie. It doesn’t help that my thoughts are of him driving into me while I’m on my back on the floor. Fuck.

I take a moment to take a breath.

That man.

I push thoughts about him out of my mind as I walk into the shooting range inside the barn-style building. I walk over to where he is loading his gun.

“Hey, Carmine,” I say.

“Hi, Dina. Your message said you needed some help with something?” he asks, setting his gun down. “We’re alone, so you can speak freely.”

“I think someone inside of the families is betraying us. They’re making it seem like the families are attacking each other, but they’re not. I can’t try to weed out both the Italian and Russian sides. Firstly, the Italian men don’t trust me; secondly, it’s just too many to get through. Could you try to see what’s going on? Robbie Quinn will work with the Irish to see who’s still loyal.”

Carmine nods as he listens to me. “I can see who’s still loyal without raising some flags. Alessandro told me this morning that I should share some intel I found with you. There was a witness when the Russians were attacked. Here, this is his address. He goes by the name of Joe.” He hands me a piece of paper, and I take it.

“Thanks, Carmine.” I look at the address written on it. “Hopefully, he’s willing to talk to me.”

“Well, let me know if you find out anything interesting. I’ve been instructed to help you in any way I can in between doing my regular duties.” We both turn to look at the door as Ariana walks in.

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