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My throat closes up. I press my lips to his forehead, unable to speak past the lump in my throat. How do I explain that his parents didn’t choose to leave him? That sometimes bad things just happen, and all we can do is keep going.

“Yes, baby. Just like that.” I kiss the top of his head before I lift him into my arms. Zeke grabs our bags and leads us toward the car waiting in the driveway.

Eli is driving like he always is. He gives me a faint nod as I slide in with Leo. Zeke slides in behind me. There is no order given. Eli immediately pulls out and starts driving.

Zeke reaches for me and tugs me close to his body, wrapping both Leo and me in his strength.

“Don’t worry,” Zeke says. “All traces of this will be gone within the hour. You’re safe. Both of you. No one will ever touch you again.”

I trust his words. That’s not what concerns me. What troubles me is wondering what price I’ll have to pay for his protection.

Chapter 8

Hidden Affections

Ezekiel

What happened tonight settles heavy in my bones. Micah’s just finished giving his report on the cleanup at Eve’s house. Giovanni Costa. Of all the fucking people to send after her, it had to be him.

“Everything’s taken care of,” Micah says, his voice gravelly in the dim light of my office. “No trace left behind. Far as anyone knows, Gio never made it to her house tonight.”

Sebastian paces near the window. “I thought you said Alessandro would back off?”

I lean back in my leather chair, studying the three men before me. “That’s what he said.”

“Maybe Gio went rogue?” Eli suggests. “Decided to take matters into his own hands to prove himself to his father.”

“He said he was just following orders right before I killed him. Either way, that won’t matter to Alessandro. I killed his only son. The heir to his legacy.” I lean back in my chair and rest my chin on my fingers, my anger growing.

Sebastian stops and points an angry finger at me like this is somehow all my fault. “This is going to start a war. Alessandro won’t let his son’s death go unanswered.”

“Let him try.” The words come out as a growl. I remember the terror in Eve’s eyes, the way Leo trembled against her. My hands clench on the armrests. “He should have kept his psychopath of a son in line. Instead, the fucker tried to kill my fiancée. With her nephew sleeping down the hall.”

“That must mean she was close to uncovering his crimes,” Eli says from his position by the door. Always the voice of reason. “Why else target Eve? Killing a cop is not something the mafia takes lightly without just cause.”

“Doesn’t matter.” I lean forward, my voice hard. “The moment he stepped foot in her house, he signed his own death warrant. I won’t apologize for protecting what’s mine.”

“And now she’s here,” Seb points out. “Along with her nephew. That complicates things.”

“She stays.” This is not up for discussion. “Both of them. I’ll deal with Alessandro myself if needed.”

Micah shifts, his expression grim. “The Costas have been looking to expand their territory. Taking out a cop would send a message. But it’s risky. It’d only draw more attention to them.” He shakes his head. “Something doesn’t add up.”

“Agreed.” I stand, walking to the window. The city lights stretch out below, peaceful despite the storm brewing in our underworld. “We need to figure out whose orders Gio was following—his father or someone else. If it was someone else, we’ve got bigger problems on our hands.”

“I’ll start making calls,” Seb says. “See what our people on the street know.”

“Do it quietly,” I warn. “The last thing we need is panic spreading through the ranks that I’ve killed Alessandro’s heir.”

I run my hand over my beard, a headache building behind my eyes. I’m getting too old for this shit.

Nicolo Moretti. The name alone sends a chill down my spine. After all these years of carefully staying under his radar, this mess with Gio will certainly get his attention.

“Fuck.” I turn back to face the others. “Get word to our allies in New York. They need to know what’s happened before Alessandro reaches out to Nicolo.”

Seb’s face pales at the mention of our old mentor. “You think he will?”

“Alessandro’s not stupid. He knows he can’t take us on alone.” I start pacing, my mind racing through contingencies. “He’ll go straight to New York, crying to Nicolo about how I murdered his only son. And Nicolo …” I trail off, remembering the cold calculation in those dark eyes. “He won’t be able to resist getting involved. He’s been waiting for a reason to drag me back into his grasp.”