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“Pop’s fine,” I growl, getting annoyed thinking about his ailing health.

Clack. Clack. Clack.

All eyes turn up to my gorgeous faux-wife descending the stairs. The new skimpy outfit I had delivered makes me catch the drool before it leaves my mouth. A white crop top, short-shorts, and clear heels.Marone.

“Yo, it’s Misty! C’mere, sweetheart. We thought you were the runaway bride!” Bruno gets up to greet her.

“Damn, boss.” Snaps eyes widen. “Dime piece.”

“Not your usual. Thought you liked the manmade ones.” Mikey hoots under his breath.

“Thank you, Snaps. Mikey, shut the fuck up,” I say.

Capri walks tentatively over to me, giving me a kiss on the cheek.

“Mikey, Snaps, this is Misty. I’m seeing her.”

My declaration might as well be hell freezing over. Their faces are frozen in shock. In all my years with my boys, I’ve never said the words. The statement actually pinches my stomach with unease. My default douchebag response would be ‘nah, nothing serious.’ Or ‘we’re just fucking.’ But none of that is true. This shitisserious, even if not by choice, and we’renotfuckin’ – dammit.

After she kisses them hello and takes her seat at my side, I ease their concerns.

“Free to speak, gentlemen. She comes from good stock, and I trust her.”

“Boss.” Mikey clears his throat.

I know what’s coming, since he’s more old school than the others. He doesn’t want a new woman outside of the family on the inside.

“Don’t,” I say. “Consider her like Chestnut. We all trust her, yeah? Now you’ll all learn to trust Misty.”

Mikey sits back, biting his tongue.

“Look. This multi-scale operation of ours is expanding. And this year I’m gunning for capo. John Scar from New York already hinted at it if we get our numbers up. So, I get bumpedup,youmotherfuckers get bumped up. I know you’re all hungry for more, so that’s what’s coming to you. More responsibility.More cash.”

“Hell yeah.” Snaps rubs his palms together, then his expression drops a bit. “But—uh—boss. The thing we were just talking about.”

“The heat.”

“Yeah. We’re worried about Glove. That man paved the way for all of us.” Mikey clears his throat, still uncomfortable talking around Capri. “Maybe we should increase security around him. Gotta’ pay debts owed, y’know?”

“He – uh, mm—personally saved my ass, boss,” Snaps says. “Remember? With the Russians in the city? Was hiding under that long white table cloth inCafé Bastowhen the pricks were about to draw their weapons on me. Damn. Still remember that moment like it was yesterday. If Glove hadn’t beat ’em to the punch, I’d be Swiss cheese.”

“You were fucking one of their daughters.” Bruno folds his arms, laughing.

“She came on to me!” Snaps pushes Bruno. “But the Glove stepped in to save my ass.”

“He wanted them gone.” Mikey huffs.

“Doesn’t change the fact he saved me.”

“Yes. I’m aware my father’s a legend of his generation.”

As I say the words, I realize something – these men aren’t just loyal to me. It runs deeper than that. Mikey’s of a different time, and respects the old ways. Snaps owes his life to Pop. And Bruno’s been with me since the beginning. Could I… possibly let them in on our secret?

It’d be a fuck ton easier to manage Capri’s safety if they knew how important she was.

But then I risk opening the circle.

“Rumor has it they might start questioning our establishments.” Mikey scratches his chin. “If any of our stories don’t line up, the Lucrazis will gladly start the war. And I don’t feel like being the first head splattered.”