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He nodded. “Are you okay?”

“Never better. Thank you.” I pulled away and was determined to make it back to the house where it was safer. I had the feeling both men were continuing to stare at me. How odd.

They were both handsome, but my mind continually drifted to Alejandro. As soon as I walked inside and passed by my father’s office, I noticed he was saying goodbye to Don Santorelli, shaking his hand and it seemed formal yet pleasant.

The Don walked from the room and before I could sneak by, my father caught me.

“Carmella, come in for just a minute.”

I groaned inwardly and headed into this office. “What was that about?”

“Business. But it’s done for the night. I noticed you and Dion getting along.”

“Like oil and water, you mean.”

He laughed as if I was making a joke. “He would be good for you and I know he adores Gabriel.”

The mention of my son’s name and my claws were brought out. “He has a father. An asshole of one, but it’s still my son’s flesh and blood. I’m not trying to get a husband or replace the man in Gabriel’s eyes. We’re doing just fine on our own.” I started to leave and my father’s voice changed.

“There are times that the entire family must be considered in decisions, Carmella. You are well aware of that. There may be a time I need you.”

Need.

For political gain.

I was disgusted and he knew it. Yes, I was my father’s daughter. A fighter. No one was going to force me into doing anything I didn’t want to do.

Period.

CHAPTER4

Alejandro

Neutral ground.

It was well known that politically motivated meetings held between crime syndicates were usually held at a location not included in the territory of either family. In this case, neither Massachusetts nor Connecticut had been sanctioned as being worthwhile, even though everyone seemed to have their eyes on Boston, not only for the wealth, but the ports.

Perhaps that was a reason for this meeting.

We hadn’t been privy to learning anything about the full reason beforehand, other than it would hopefully stop a bloody war. Which neither side seemed to want.

The restaurant was located in the smaller coastal town of New Haven, Connecticut, close enough, but still a drive.

Both Gio and Bronco had gone in with the Don while Dion and I remained outside for now. Once the meeting began, other soldiers we’d brought with us would guard the exterior. The caution wasn’t all about the concern for sabotage, but also about any members of law enforcement who might take it upon themselves to try to arrest two prominent men.

The meeting was hush-hush, but, in this day and age, information could be bought and sold for cryptocurrency.

“What did you think of the party the other night?” Dion asked, more to pass the time. We stood staring in opposite directions, ready to fire at will if necessary.

“Big. Flashy. Expensive. A crock of shit.”

He laughed. “I forgot you like the simpler things, although that condo you own is pretty spiffy.”

“Spiffy?” I asked, tossing him a look and grinning. “How old are you?”

“Very funny. You know what I mean.”

Yeah, I did. It was a far cry from what I was used to with leather furniture and fucking artwork I couldn’t understand on the walls. But it was appropriate for a man of my substance. “What is it between you and that girl?”