Page 18 of Married into the Mob

“You could have just said dead.” Odell pointed to me. “But you and Draven’s family had a beef.”

“Not just me. Our entire family, our organization.”

“Your mafia family.”

All three of us nodded, but no one spoke.

“And you’ve killed people, I assume.”

Where did that come from? Me, Dad, and Uncle Arnie hemmed and hawed.

“Stories about the mafia are exaggerated.” I cracked my knuckles, and my mate winced.

“So, how are you different from Draven?” he asked. There were some cake crumbs in the corner of his mouth, and they needed to be licked off. But for now, they stayed where they were.

“His family hurt people because they were jealous.” That was the best response I had.

“So what’s the long-term plan?”

“Ummm, we keep you here.” I was pleased he moved on to a new topic and that I had a solution.

“For how long?”

Arnie nudged Dad who elbowed me. “Until we find Draven.”

“And if you can’t?”

“We will.” I hoped we would.

Dad patted my thigh. “How did you get Odell away from Draven? The Draven I remember would bloody anyone who tried to take away something of his.”

“Seemed Draven didn’t have too many fans, even in the mafia,” Odell noted. He was right.

I got up, sticking my hands in my pockets and wondering if that emphasized my butt when I turned away from my mate.

“He was being his usual asswipe self.”

Dad made a face. He hated that expression that reminded him of a dirty behind. He shrugged. “Are you sure?”

My mate butted in. “Hunter was very ferocious. He made Draven quiver in his boots.”

Dad and Arnie smirked.

Odell had been in my presence a few hours and he was already defending me. We were making progress. Not that Draven had done any quaking. He’d just given up, and I didn’t understand why.

“I mean.” My mate tossed his head from side to side. “Not that brave. Just ordinary brave.”

I nibbled a nail. “I did wonder if the time he’d spent in the years since the… the disagreement had tamped down his fighting skills.”

“Or his beast’s.” Arnie’s head shot up as the words left his mouth, and he stared at me. He charged ahead. “Is it possible he wanted you to snatch Odell?”

“Why?” That was my mate questioning my uncle’s theory. “And why were you there? You didn’t come to get married, did you?”

I would marry Odell if he’d have me. “No. There was a guy who needed me to sign papers.”

But Odell poo-pooed that suggestion. “Forget some paper pusher. This is my life we’re talking about.”

“He got me down to city hall on the pretense of needing to witness my signature.” I’d wondered if stumbling in on my mate and Draven had been a set-up. An elaborate hoax, perhaps?