Page 72 of Stealing His Christmas Present

Not until he’d decided he needed me.

If any part of his story was even true. He could’ve easily found out my mother’s name.

“I’m sure you understand,” Giacomo continued. “You proved yourself worthy, and this is an offer of a lifetime. The Red Eagles will own half of the city, and we’ll help each other out in need.”

Ricky, Miguel, and the rest of the idiots grinned and elbowed each other as if they were children.

But that was what happened when a group of people came together only for money and power. For the Red Eagles, this was huge.

An offer of a lifetime.

They all wanted me to agree, and it was the only way to make sure Claudia was safe. If I refused, the gang would try to get rid of me. Maybe even Giacomo would.

There was only one of me and plenty of them, and I hadn’t exactly had the time to make any friends. I’d been too busy brooding on my own, but I could fix that later.

“All right, but I have conditions,” I said.

“Of course.” Giacomo grinned, offering me his hand.

I shook it, gripping his hand so tightly he grimaced, but I kept a smile on my face.

“We’ll be in touch,” Giacomo said, and he and his guards headed to the door.

When they were gone, I turned to Ricky and Miguel.

“Which one of you spoke to my father?” I asked.

“It was me, Boss,” Ricky said. “I—”

I punched him so hard that his nose cracked, and he fell to the floor. “I told you what would happen if you went against my orders.” I glanced at the others. “Take him to the dungeon.”

“But—” Ricky’s eyes were wide as he held his hand over his bloody nose.

“Shut the fuck up and be glad you’re not fucking dead!”

As they dragged him away, I looked around the room at the others.

“If any of you ever go behind my back like this, you’re all dead. I don’t give a fuck if you had good intentions or if it was good for the gang. You have a problem with me, you come to me and say it to my fucking face! Is that clear?”

They all nodded and bowed their heads, and I stormed out of there. As I was on my way to my car, I had an odd sensation.

Someone was watching me, probably Giacomo’s men.

I couldn’t go back to Claudia.

Not until I dealt with him.

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