Page 5 of Labria

“You’re back on that bullshit again. I’m not lying to you— woman.”

“Apparently you didn’t understand me the first time, the second time, or the third time.”

“No, I understood. But what would I have gained by telling you something that would upset you?”

“You will gain my trust.”

“To what end? Seriously, do you want to walk around every day thinking the worse, thinking this could be your last day living?”

“Lord! Lord! Woo, baby, I don’t want to be shot at! I don’t want people putting car bombs on cars I’m supposed to be riding in. I don’t want anyone trying to poison my fucking food and drinks. Period!”

“I can’t control any of those fucking things.”

Did this man just tell me he couldn’t protect me? Literally the one-thing men are supposed to do. Women don’t even need men to provide for them anymore. All women needed was protection and this man can’t even give me that.

“Lord,” my voice cracked from shouting. “I don’t even want to be a part of this fuckin’ criminal shit-show family.”

“But you are a part of it. This is my family. I’m a part of this, and that means you’re a part of this.”

“Oh brother, I don’t have to be. I don’t need any of this.”

“I don’t care what you want. I don’t care what you need. We’re together and you have to deal with it. You’re not going anywhere. Those threats mean nothing to me. I gave you one pass when you left me before you don’t get anymore. Leave again and see what happens to you.”

“I’m trying to have a serious conversation with you and you threaten me?”

“I don’t have time for this. I have to be in Chicago. You need to have a drink. Have the whole bottle and calm down. This is the life we’re living now. This is what you signed up for.”

“I didn’t sign up for this shit! I signed up for you!” Deep down, I believed that. Now I wasn’t sure what to believe.

“Well, this is me! This is who I am!”

“I want to hold you back. I want Lordes Romans Donovan.”

“He’s gone. I’m going to legally change my name to Bregoli.”

I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t believe he’d said that. “I don’t want the name Bregoli.”

“There are plenty of women who want the name.”

Where was this coming from? Who is this cocky, arrogant bastard? Was he really threatening me with other women? This had never been a part of our relationship. I never had to worry about him in that regard. But now he was talking out the side of his neck.

I was speechless.

What was going on here?

Who were these plenty of women?

“Look Bria, I didn’t mean anything by that. I didn’t even know about that car bomb until later. When I found out about it, I told Nicco to never put you in danger again. We had a talk. He made it clear that you were a protected person in this organization. He swore nothing would happen to you. If you feel unsafe, you shouldn’t. Devin’s job isn’t just to drive you around. He is armed and willing to die to protect you. I know you haven’t been happy. I know this is an adjustment, but just give it some time.”

“We’ve been here for months. You’re never around. It’s like I’m here all by myself.”

“You don’t have to be. I told you we should have a baby.”

“That is not the answer.”

“Well, what’s the answer? You have a job now you’re practicing law. I don’t know what to do to make you happy. I have to work. This work takes me out of town. What am I supposed to do?”

“Having a baby is not the answer. What sane person would bring the baby into this dangerous lifestyle?”

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