Page 20

Max

"The terms have changed," Grandpa says. "They're offering even more for Kaiser and Hailey."

I stand next to Dad, watching Kaiser struggle to breathe on the cot. Tiny has done a number on him since I was last here: his leg looks more mangled, his face bruised beyond recognition, and though his mouth is closed—I'm told he lost his tongue. Guess he didn't learn to shut up.

"So, what's the plan?" Dad asks.

"I still haven't decided," Grandpa says. He glances at me. "What's your opinion, kid?"

I clench my fists, wanting to hear them out first. My goal was to stay quiet so if they decided to hand her back to VOE, they wouldn't see it coming when I hide her away. But he's forcing my opinion out .

"I'm not sending her back. She told me what goes on behind the scenes there, something real similar to what we're doing here." I nod toward Kaiser. "But those people don't deserve it like he does. Besides, they might have weapons and people, but I don't think they have the balls to come for us."

Dad was right when we caught this guy. I should have just killed him. Even leaving his body on the side of the road would be better than this stress, but I was too angry to give him a quick death. He deserves every bit of suffering for treating Hailey that way.

"Interesting," Grandpa says, crossing his wiry arms. I avoid his eyes to hide how anxious I am, my heart pounding in my ears. "So, you think we should kill this guy then ignore them?"

"Yes."

Grandpa sighs heavily. In his shoes, I see why he's conflicted. We're rejecting good money while possibly starting a war.

"You still have a little crush on her?" Dad cuts in, sarcastic.

I shrug, trying to suppress my anxiety at the thought of losing her. "We hooked up, but it's nothing serious."

He smirks.

"There's another thing," Grandpa says, ignoring his son. "Ferrara contacted me. He's really pushing for this marriage proposal and wants to visit."

"Is he offering more for the marriage?" Dad raises his eyebrows.

"No, same deal, but he's growing more persistent."

Lucky me .

Through all this drama with Hailey, I almost forgot I was betrothed to Elena Ferrara. A woman I've never met and hoped to never meet. Nothing against her personally, but I have no desire to marry into that sadistic family.

Grandpa sighs. "I say, we kill this guy and hope they don't immediately attack us. Max, get her any resources she needs, but I want her gone quickly. I'm sure she's sweet, but she's too much of a liability. Also, I'll invite the Ferraras over to get everyone introduced."

"Works for me," Dad says.

I slowly nod when their eyes find me. I don't want to agree to any of this, except killing Kaiser. "We're still short-staffed at the casino. Can we keep her until we find a replacement?"

"Fine." Dad rolls his eyes at Grandpa. "I'll put Nick on hiring so Max here doesn't drag it out for months. Nick loves that shit anyway."

"Fine," Grandpa says before heading upstairs. He turns to me. "I'm going to tell Tiny to finish him. Want to stay and watch?"

"Yes."

***

This baseball game is doing nothing to cure my boredom as I lie in one of the penthouse's guest bedrooms upstairs, banished from the poker room because the guests are too scared of me.

We finally convinced the players that witnessed the Jason incident to come back tonight, so everyone thought it best if I stayed out of the way—hide in the bedroom like a caged dog in case something happens that warrants me bashing someone's face in.

Maybe I should feel guilt for killing Jason.

But I don't. Besides, the way Tiny finished Kaiser off today makes me look like a fucking saint in comparison.

Knowing how much this man scared Hailey, I thought I'd enjoy watching him suffer.

I mean I did, but once Tiny started dissecting the guy alive like a frog in science class, I lost my appetite for the day.

He left him unrecognizable, which could be a problem when we send the body back to VOE, but I think the message will be crystal fucking clear that we aren't cooperating.

I hear fast, heavy footsteps coming up the stairs. I know it's Nick because neither of the girls would sound this loud and Dad can't run this quick. I don't bother sitting up because I doubt it's urgent; he's just too damn hyperactive to enter a room like a normal person.

"Wow." His eyes narrow at me from the doorway. "Must be nice to lie around all night, cashing in on a poker game you have no part of."

I sit up, propping myself on my elbows. "Fuck off. We just sit around doing nothing down there anyway unless we're dealing cards."

"I know." He smirks. "It's a boring night, so I thought I'd visit. Your father's been talking to me about drywall for the past hour. Drywall."

I laugh. "I've been on the receiving end of so many long-winded rants of his, but that one sounds pretty bad."

I sit up fully and rest my chin on my hand. I miss when my main complaint about my father was that he never shuts up. Now, with Hailey and the marriage arrangement with Elena Ferrara, all our conversations are serious and heated.

Which reminds me.

"You know anything about Marco Ferrara?" I ask.

"Besides the fact he's about to be your new father-in-law? No."

"How did you find out about that already?"

"Who do you think?" He scoffs, furrowing his brow. "I don't know about Marco but I heard rumors about Elena's brother, Alessandro."

I raise my eyebrows, wanting any information on these people.

I have no plan yet, but I'm determined to get out of this arrangement.

I'm not delusional; I know I can't marry Hailey because she won't provide any alliance or advantage.

But still, I don't want what we have ruined so quickly because of this.

"There was a guy I met doing work in Jersey, Damiano, who told me this story.

He was at a Christmas party at Marco's mansion in Palermo.

There was this young soldier, maybe associate, who thought it'd be good to steal a kiss from Elena under the mistletoe.

Alessandro set him on fire in the middle of a busy street. In a fucking touristy area."

"Guess I won't kiss her until the wedding day." Maybe I'll never have to if I'm lucky.

"Yeah, I wouldn't do that. "

"How haven't you gotten stuck with any marriage proposals?

" I ask. We both know why, but I can't pass up giving him shit.

The boss role passes to the first-born son.

Nick's older, but that doesn't matter since his mother won't inherit power like my dad. But even so, he’s old enough where it should have happened by now.

"Because I'm not the special little heir. Bust Jack out of jail, then he can marry her."

I raise my eyebrows, pathetically considering if this was possible for a second.

We give each other more shit before Nick heads back downstairs. I hear every loud step until he's back in the poker room.

But his story about Alessandro runs through my mind.

An insanely overprotective brother could be useful for getting out of this.

Ideally, I don't want out by getting barbecued, but if I get him to dislike me just enough, maybe they'll call it off.

The issue is, I don't know Alessandro's say in this; he's not blood-related to Marco.

But with a good relationship, he might have influence.

"Yes!" Hailey's voice startles me from the doorway. I sit up. She holds a gin bottle like a trophy. "Everyone wanted martinis, and I thought we were out. Your dad said to check the farthest guest bedroom closet and there it was. Right next to a crowbar, of all things."

Her smile drops seeing my face. "You okay?"

"I'm fine. Just a business decision weighing on my mind. "

"Oh." She walks over, holding the bottle in both hands. "What other business do you do? Besides the casino?"

"I own some dispensaries in the area. There are other things you're better off not knowing.

" I keep it vague. Some aspects aren't flattering, but nothing terribly immoral.

I smile, taking in her sexy outfit. A sheer black top with a tight black skirt.

She's getting bolder with her outfit choices. "Come here."

She glances toward the stairs, sets down the bottle, and sits beside me. "I can't stay long. I'm the only one working today."

"Where's Savannah?" I ask, not knowing she was solo tonight. I'm so isolated up here.

She scrunches her nose cutely. "She's sick with some virus."

I run my hands through her hair. "Managing okay alone?"

She smiles. "Easiest job I've ever had."

I pull her closer. "Sure? Not a problem fending off your creepy coworker?"

She playfully slaps my shoulder. "Stop. You're not a creep."

I smile and brush her hair back. Just having her near makes me forget my troubles. I look at her full lips, wanting a taste before she returns to work. "Okay if I kiss you?"

Her eyes narrow. "Max."

"Sorry, shouldn't have asked. You're at work."

Her expression says I'm the dumbest motherfucker alive.

"I told you," she says. "That pool thing? A random panic attack. Can't we pretend we had hot, wild, pool sex that didn't end with me sobbing and hyperventilating?"

"Hot, wild, pool sex?" I can't help laughing at her phrasing .

"I'm serious!"

"Fine." I check the door for approaching footsteps. Then I manhandle her onto my lap, facing me. Her skirt rides up, revealing lacy blue panties.

She gasps but quickly moans against my lips, rocking against me, kicking the gin bottle so it rolls on the ground. She wasn't lying; she wants this as much as I do. I run my hands along her curves, worried about triggering her, but she pulls closer.

I glance down at her fingers lingering on my belt, not undoing it. Just teasing and driving me insane.

I bite her lower lip when Nick calls from downstairs. "Need help finding it, Hailey? We can send someone to the store."

She pulls back, nervously eyeing the door, cheeks flushed. She calls out, "Got it. Down in a sec."

She stands, legs wobbly despite her not wearing heels anymore. She grabs the bottle from the floor. Her skirt's too high from straddling me.

"Wait, your skirt."

"Oh." She laughs.

I watch her fix it, getting a last glimpse of underwear. Still flushed, she steps toward the door.

"Hailey, wait." I shouldn't tell her, but knowing she'll be relieved, I can't hide it. "Kaiser's dead. I watched it myself."

Her blue eyes fill with tears, then relief takes over. I feel guilty; we should've killed him sooner.

"I'm sorry," she cries. "He was horrible, and I feared he'd escape and get me. The things he threatened... "

"It's over," I tell her, standing to hug her. "I'll make sure they won't bother you again."

She leans back, shaking her head. "They'll just send more."

"Then I'll keep killing them until they stop. They'll give up eventually." I shrug. I don't think it'll be that easy, but I want to try my best to comfort her.

I steal another kiss, pulling her flush against me. She feels like home in my arms, unlike anyone before. Her reaction to Kaiser's death broke my heart; I just want her happy and safe. I squeeze my eyes shut, thinking how Grandpa ordered me to send her away quickly. I don't know what to do.

I wipe her tears. "I promise nothing will happen to you."

She smiles, but someone clears their throat from the hall.

It's Dad.

And he just watched this moment after I agreed to marry Elena Ferrara.

Hailey hides her blushing face.

"Sorry," she says. "Just heading back down."

She grabs the gin and hurries out before we can speak.

Dad waits before hissing, "Thought she was just a hookup?"

I check she's gone before saying what he wants to hear. "She is. I told her about Kaiser, she got emotional. I let her thank me."

He grunts. "Remember our talk? She better be gone soon. You're too attached. And why the fuck did you tell her about Kaiser? Now she's more of a liability."

I roll my eyes. "Yeah, you tell me that every fucking day. Can’t you let me have my fun? "

He narrows his eyes but surprisingly says nothing before leaving me to watch baseball and plot escaping a marriage.