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“Wow, that’s a sledgehammer to the groin,” I whisper into Mia’s ear.
“From the mouths of babes, old man,” she grins.
“Oh, yeah? Meet me upstairs. I’ll show you old.”
* * *
“Good morning, my handsomeandmore than young enough man.”
“Hey, sex kitten.”
Meah is snuggled up against my back. I reach behind and around to touch her soft butt cheek. Her skin feels like satin. Amazing. I’m instantly aroused—no blaming this one on morning wood.
“Tomorrow is D-day,” she says, and I can tell from her tone that she’s afraid.
“Yeah.”
“I’m scared, Dante.”
“I know, my love. Don’t be. I won’t let anything happen to you. Or to our son.”
Mia’s cell phone rings, interrupting our cuddle.
“I better get that,” she squeals as I pinch her bottom.
“Fine, but don’t be long,” I say, getting up to take my morning tinkle.
“Hello,” I hear her saying while I’m in the toilet.
I look back to see her face growing pale. I know who is on the line. Mia holds up her finger to her lips, signaling me not to make a sound. I walk quietly back to the bed and sit down next to Mia so I can put my ear to the phone and listen.
“I need to see you today,” the man says.
I don’t like his tone and I want to grab the phone from Mia and demand he reveal himself to me. But that would be the worst thing for all of us. If I’m going to catch this bastard and his associates and kill them, I have to exercise more patience now than I ever have before in my life.
“Why?” Mia asks. “You gave me the information I need. What do you want from me now?”
“Careful, Mia. I don’t like your attitude.”
Mia bites down hard on her lip and I’m afraid she’ll spill blood if she doesn’t ease up.
“When?” she relents.
“Noon. At the diner. I’ll meet you inside.”
“Fine.”
The man ends the call and Mia throws down the cell phone on the bed. It bounces before it drops to the ground.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
“No! I’m mad, Dante! And scared.”
I don’t know what to tell Mia. I know that words of apology are meaningless and empty right now, so instead, I hold her in the hopes that my arms around her will bring her a modicum of comfort.
“I’m so sorry, Mia. Please forgive me. I never meant for this to happen to you.”
I mean this sincerely. I’ve always been on the other side of the hammer. Never have I considered the emotions that go hand in hand with the kind of violence the men in my world afflict on their women and children. I don’t give any man’s family a moment’s thought as I slit his throat from ear to ear. To me, it’s business. If you get in my way, I will take care of you.