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Chapter Forty-Two

Vinny

A ll day, the disappointment on her pretty face has flashed in front of my mind, taunting me.

The door closes behind Tommy, and I wait for him to take a seat, then I stub out my cigar.

“You’ve been notably absent again,” Rafael spits out, his glare seething with rage. “We tidied up the mess, thank you for asking.”

“Papa, did you lose your way home? You need one of those tracker things you can have around your neck that you press if you need assistance.” I blink at Rocco. “Saw it on TV.” He shrugs.

“Do you have one for your wife?” Tommy quips, making me chuckle.

“Shut the fuck up. Least I didn’t raid a high school for a fuck.”

“You kind of did though.” Tommy grins back with a smug smile. He’s not wrong. Rocco’s wife was his teacher .

“I did, didn’t I?” He beams.

“Are you even going to ask what the hell happened yesterday?” Rafael glares. “Why have you even called us here if you’re not interested?”

I sit up straighter. “I have news.”

“Is it your prostate?” Rocco asks, then he lifts up two fingers. “You know there’s a walnut inside…”

Tommy swipes at the back of his head, saving me the energy.

“Well, in case you’re interested, it was Darryl Davis that called Jade, tipping us off.”

“What?” I frown in confusion.

“Turns out the little punk wants rid of his grandfather too,” Rafael states.

“Interesting,” I muse, tapping my finger against my lip.

“Even more interesting is he wants to work for us.”

I lift my eyebrows; just because the punk helped us out, doesn’t mean he can be trusted. Maybe it was a ploy to lower our defenses, to welcome him in so he can spy.

“We can’t trust him yet,” Rafael says, confirming my suspicions. “But I do have a job for him.”

“Go on.”

“I’m going to suggest he goes undercover with the MC linked to the O’Connells, as a prospect. Then he can find the link and prove his worth.”

Proud. That’s what I am. Proud.

I smirk, knowing what I’m about to do has made my decision even easier.

“Why the hell are you smiling like a loon? Is it the prostate? Are you sick?” Rafael fires one question after the other.

“No.” I swat my hand in his direction, clearing my throat. “I’m a father again. Bonnie is mine. Biologically, I mean.”

“She was anyway,” Rafael states with a lift of his shoulder as if I didn’t just confirm he has another blood sibling. “Congratulations.” There’s no malice or patronizing tone, he genuinely means his words, and I nod at him before looking at my other two sons.

“I got a little sister. Cute. Can you tell her that her niece might have some dresses she can have that she’s grown out of.” Rocco grins cockily.

“She can have her own fucking dresses,” I bite back.

“We’re pleased for you, Papa.” Tommy nods.

“I take it you’re going to marry her?” Rafael states.

“Of course.”

“So you brought us here to tell us the good news.” His dark eyes hold mine, and I don’t miss the tic in his jaw. He thinks I’m not interested in what went down at the warehouse, but of course I am, I do after all have Robert to deal with.

“Actually, that was just the start.” I hold his stare, and his lips part, but I hold my hand up, making Rocco cough on a laugh.

“I’m retiring. I’m handing the reins over to you.

I’m proud of you, Rafael, and I couldn’t think of anyone more suitable for the position.

” Shock stuns him silent, his eyes widen, and his Adam’s apple slowly works down his throat.

This is what he’s been trained for, preened and prepared for his entire life.

He probably thought this day would never come, not until my deathbed at least.

“Congratulations, brother.” Rocco slaps him on the back while Tommy’s smile spreads across his face, the pride in it evident.

“Are you sure?” Rafael splutters. “What are you going to do?”

I take a deep breath and slowly roam my gaze over each of them.

“I’m going to raise my girls the way I should have raised you boys.

” The way their faces soften and their shoulders relax tell me they understand.

They are, after all, the men I’ve always wanted to be.

“But right now, I’m going to take my girls home.

” I push back in my chair and stride toward the door.

“Home?” Tommy queries as I shut the door behind me.

Home.