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“He also told her I was responsible for the hit on Gabriel. She thinks I killed her father,” I state.

Luca frowns, “He seems intent on stirring up a lot of trouble for you, boss. I’m sure he’s planning something. I just haven’t been able to get the jump on him. I’ll keep watching him.”

“Work harder on it. The answer is probably right in front of us. We just to find it,” I tell him. As for Miguel. He’s a problem I’m going to take care of,” I mutter to myself.

“Again, sir. Killing him would not go over well with Mrs. Luciano,” he says carefully.

For some reason his tone calms me down and I find myself smirking. Luca likes to pretend he doesn’t like Cassie all that much but he seems to care about how my actions will make her feel. Or maybe he’s just protecting me by being the voice of reason and ensuring I don’t lose a woman I’ve come to care a great deal about.

“I’m not going to kill him,” I say, assuringly. “But there are plenty of ways to make a man suffer without death.”

He’s been acting like a rat slinking through the shadows. I intend to bring him out. And once I have evidence of his wrongdoings, I’ll make sure he pays.

I enter the car after one last look upwards towards the window of Maxine’s apartment, feeling like I’m leaving a part of me behind.

CHAPTER TWENTY

CASSIE

I haven’t seen Damien in four days. It’s been surprisingly peaceful, simple.

But a part of me can’t deny that I miss him. All I want is for him to hold me in his arms. For him to call me,bella,mi vida, or any of his sexy Italian nicknames.

My friends have been helping to dull the edges of the turmoil of emotions within me. They’ve kept me busy, occupied and they’ve been trying to help me make the best decision for myself.

“Let’s make a pros and cons list,” Chloe suggests.

We’re in the living room after we’ve just finished watching a movie about a girl in a similar position as me forced to make a choice between married to a life of crime and choosing herself. To be honest, it did nothing for me. It just seemed too easy for her to choose love.

The end and then they kiss.

Fiction is nothing if not uninspiring. Meanwhile I have a whole husband waiting for me and I’m not sure if I want to go back to him or not.

Maxine rolls her eyes, “If you have to make a pros and cons list about a man then he’s probably not worth it.”

Those words feel like a shard of glass to my chest. Damien’s worth it. I just don’t know if I’m worthy or capable of being a part of his life.

“I like the pros and cons list idea actually,” I say joining Chloe on the floor. “Let’s do it.”

She’s quick to pull out a pen and paper, ready to take notes.

“The obvious first pro,” Chloe starts, “Is that the man is gorgeous. I mean he’s in his late forties and he still looks like that. Think about how beautiful your babies will be.”

A shocked laugh escapes me, “Woah, Chlo. I’m still deciding if I want to be with him in the first place, let’s keep the baby talk on the back burner, alright?”

Although that does have me thinking. Do I want kids? With Damien? The thought of that isn’t as scary as I thought it would be. It’s almost nice actually.

If we had children, I know he’d fight for them. Die for them. He’d do anything to protect them. I know without a doubt he’d love them unconditionally.

Isn’t that my answer? Doesn’t that mean I know he’s capable of love?

“Another pro is how good he is in bed,” I add, deciding to play along with Chloe. It seems fun. “The sex was off the charts, guys.”

Maxine lets out a groan, “How about we put down on the cons list that he’s a psychotic bastard? Doesn’t that trump good looks and sex? He killed his mother and he might be responsible for your father’s death.”

“He’s not,” I say with conviction.

I looked into his eyes and saw how hurt he was by the accusation. I have no idea what happened with my dad, I’mdefinitely going to get to the bottom of it. But I know for a fact Damien had nothing to do with it. Apart of me feels guilty for accusing him in the first place.