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I want to blame it on the code my father instilled in me, but something in my gut is stopping me.

"She's not going anywhere." I snatch the list back from John, my fingers tracing over her neat handwriting. "And neither is her grandfather. They're under our protection now."

"Ourprotection?" John's eyebrows shoot up. "Or yours, specifically?"

I level a hard stare at him. "Does it matter?"

"It matters if you're letting this girl get under your skin." Adrian's voice carries that tone he uses in court — measured, calculating. "We need to think about the family's interests."

It's amusing hearing that statement from him, considering a few days ago, he wanted to tear this family apart. But then he fell in love with my cousin and everything changed.

I chuckle to myself, causing both men to look at each other. But it's funny, I think, what love does to you.

Adrian gave up his revenge scheme.

And John is softer than he used to be before he fell hard for Zoe.

That won't be me, though. This little obsession aside, I won't fall for her. I have no interest in the weakness that comes with attachment.

"The family's interests are whatever I say they are." Done with this conversation, I stand and hand the paper back to John. "Get the repairs done."

They both nod, knowing better than to push further. But I catch the look they exchange as they leave my office. They're right to be concerned. This thing with Olivia — it's complicated. Dangerous, even. But every time I think about her face, about how she handled herself on those steps when she told me about her past, something shifts inside me.

Like I said, I'm losing it.

NINETEEN

Olivia

Two days later, I come downstairs to find Sam in the kitchen. I haven't seen him much since he took me home to see my grandfather. His men have been around the house and his staff has made sure I'm well fed, but for the most part, I've been alone. Staring at the ceiling and reading whatever fiction book I found in his library. There aren't many — apparently, he's a non-fiction kind of guy.

Sam is sitting at the breakfast table, sipping on a cup of coffee while the news blares on the small television. He barely glances up as the newscaster speaks.

"The body of Damien Romano, a local knownassociate of the Costello crime family, has been found dead under suspicious circumstances."

I freeze. Behind the newscaster, there are several police officers and medical examiners pulling a body out of the Bayou. I can't see the man, but even if I could, I'm sure his body is torn up from being there for days. Sam doesn't even flinch as he brings his coffee to his lips again and takes another sip.

"The body was discovered earlier today in a remote area of the Bayou, where investigations are ongoing. While details remain scarce, sources reveal that the prime suspect in this case is none other than the head of the Iron Serpents Motorcycle Club, Kade Marcellus, a rival gang embroiled in a long-standing feud with the Costello family."

A mugshot of Kade is displayed on the corner of the screen, showing a middle-aged man with graying hair, tanned skin, and a smug look on his face. I swallow the lump in my throat. The Serpents are as famous in New Orleans as the Costellos are. Both for their criminal enterprises, but the Serpents are known to be more…gruesome.

"Local law enforcement is urging anyone with information to come forward, as tensions rise in the community. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant as they await further updates on this alarming situation. Stay tuned for more details as they emerge, and we will be following this story closely. We'll be right back after the break."

They want anyone with information to come forward? But the only person with information on that murder is…me.

"Good morning, Olivia." Sam's voice breaks me out of my trance. The commercials end, and they’re back in the studio with puppies running around as the anchors encourage viewers to adopt not shop. Sam isn't watching, though, his dark eyes completely focused on me.

"Good morning," I squeak out, causing his lips to tilt into a lopsided smirk.

Sam lifts his napkin, dabbing at the corners of his mouth before dropping it onto the plate of crumbs. He rises from the seat so he's standing in front of me, and his height forces me to look up to meet his gaze.

"You should have some breakfast before you go to work today," he says simply, as if the statement doesn't cause my brain to short circuit.

"You're letting me go to work?"

Sam smirks, and it’s one that screamsthis comes with strings."Yes. Roman will be joining you, and you'll stay within his sight all day. I want you back in time for dinner."

I resist the urge to argue that it's a bar and the prime time is in the evenings. But it's also a Monday, which is the one day a week we're closed. Today, I'd just catch up on admin work and do some more cleaning, so I save my fighting for a time it matters more. Instead, I nod in agreement.