Page 122 of Bad Men

“Nero is the man for the job,” I assured my contact. “I believe he will repair the damages caused by his predecessor.”

The man who called himself only Hamlet hummed quietly. “See that he does. The Organization require balance and anonymity, unlike those idiots who call themselves the Syndicate.”

If I was capable of caring, I would have rolled my eyes at the animosity pooling into the cabin. What Hamlet didn’t realize was that he didn’t matter.

The Organization.

The Syndicate.

The entire underworld.

They were all run by men who believed themselves untouchable. None seemed to realize no one was. They were small, mortal men playing a part until I drew their name and brought their time to an end.

But that was a mission for another day.

I inclined my head. “Of course.”

We shared no goodbyes as I withdrew myself from his car. He was driving away even as I was shutting the door. His impatience was no surprise or concern to me as I wove my own way back to my own vehicle. The early morning breeze cooled my cheeks and reminded me I would need to pull out my heavier coat. They were promising a bitter winter and I abhorred the cold.

Epilogue — Mia

One Year Later…

“You’re staring again.”

And not a woman on earth could blame me. The two across the room, clad in matching tuxes the soft gray of charcoal were the very specimens of raw, masculine beauty. Every woman in the room was staring, and I didn’t blame them one bit.

“Can you blame me?” I muttered around the straw caught between my teeth. “Look at them.”

They stood twenty feet away in deep conversation with a couple I almost recognized. It was a work thing based on the bored expression on Davien’s face and the painfully polite expression of interest on Nero’s but they both listened while the woman spoke rapidly, waving around a flute of champagne.

Davien took that moment to meet my gaze. The left corner of his mouth quirked in that dirty, roguish way it did when he was about to do something particularly delicious to me. That simple gesture had my knees going weak and other parts growing damp. It took all my resolve not to push my way through the crowd and jump him.

“Mia!” Liana jabbed me hard with her bony elbow. “Will you stop?” Laughter glimmered in her eyes. “People are starting to notice.”

I couldn’t give a rat’s ass who noticed what. I’d spent too long hiding how I felt. I wasn’t going to do that again to save someone else from being uncomfortable.

“I’m allowed to look at my husbands in any way I want,” I told my cousin. “This is our home, after all, and these people are just guests. If they don’t like it, they can leave.”

“Who can leave?”

Mom appeared at my elbow, a dark drink in one hand and her tiny, beaded clutch in the other. She wore a beautiful dress in a soft cream that complimented her olive tone and dark hair. I leaned in and kissed her soft cheek.

“Whoever doesn’t approve of my life choices.”

Her frown was immediate and fierce as she swept a challenging glower over the faces around us. “Did someone say something? Who?” Her voice rose as if daring the person to step forward.

I laughed and looped my arm through her elbow. “No one.”

“Better not.” She took a sip of her drink. “It’s been a year. If people are still shocked by your marriage, then they can talk to me.”

Warmth filled my chest, cocooning me in the arms of absolute bliss. I hugged my mother.

“Thank you,” I murmured.

She gave me a one-armed squeeze. “For what?” She drew back to grin at me. “Mothers spend their entire lives praying their daughter finds a good man who will care for her and love her. Mine found two. What more could I ask for … except maybe…?”

“Don’t.” I laughed at her eyebrow wiggling. “Stop. I’m still enjoying myself and them. We have lots of time to decide if we want to start a family.”

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