Page 68 of Single Mom's Mafia Daddies

34

ALESSIO

Itried to shove down the jealousy. I’d spent most of yesterday evening with Leo, and by the time we caught up with Lila, Renzo, and Matteo, it was obvious they’d had their own fun without me.

I had no reason to be jealous. I’d enjoyed my time alone with Lila. We’d all agreed that this was how things would work. But damn it all if I didn’t come face to face with a surge of jealous rage every time I looked at them and thought about them being with her.

Matteo reclined in one of the leather couches, his feet propped up on the arm and his head on the other end. He tapped his feet together and whistled under his breath. “I’m still not sold on this plan.”

We’d spent the whole morning and well into the afternoon going over my idea to blow up the Verducci syndicate from within their own circle. Matteo and Renzo continued to find holes in my plan, and I was beginning to grow tired of their pessimism.

“What don’t you like?” It took far more control than it should to keep my expression calm.

“Oh, I don’t know.” He buffed his nails on his shirt and turned his head to stare at me where I stood next to the balcony doors. “Could be the part where youdie.That might be a little bit unforgivable for this glorious plan of yours.”

“It will work.” I resisted the urge to pace. Giving into the anxious need to move would only fuel Matteo’s attitude.

Leo and Lila played in the yard below me, Leo’s laughter and the soft cadence of Lila’s voice holding me still and giving me the strength to pursue this line of assault.

“If you care for her as much as we do, you’ll come up with a better plan.” Matteo remained relaxed on the couch, but his tone turned vicious. “Getting yourself killed isn’t going to prove anything to her.”

“That’s enough.” I slashed my hands through the air. “This is the plan. It’s up to you two to figure out how to make it work.” I pointed from Matteo to Renzo.

“Oh, that’s rich. So if you die, it’s our fault and not because you’ve come up with the most hairbrained, ridiculous idea on the planet.” Matteo surged to his feet.

I met him step for step. “You dare to question me.”

“I definitely fucking dare.” He pushed me backward with both hands and followed it up with another shove.

“I’m trying to eliminate the threat once and for all,” I reminded him.

Renzo stepped between us. “A good general leads his men to battle with the intention of seeing them all afterward. I understand the idea of sacrificing yourself for the good of your people, but there’s a better way.”

“What would that be?” I flung my arms out wide. “I’m all ears.”

Renzo’s brows knotted together. “Give me a chance to think it over.”

“We don’t have time. They’ll come for us again, and this time it’ll be for the kill. We have to strike first.” I knew that truth so deep in my bones I thought of little else. “All I ask is that if something happens to me, you take care of them.” I pointed toward the balcony.

“You’re still on this?” Lila stormed into the room.

I halfway expected thunder and lightning to strike me down in her wake. When had she come inside? “Where’s Leo?”

“He’s waiting for Matteo and Renzo downstairs.” She locked her stance. “I left him with Bruce so he wouldn’t be alone.” The way she answered my unspoken concern eased some of the guilt but couldn’t remedy the situation.

“I’m not going to let them continue to hound us.” The need to make her understand drove me forward.

Matteo and Renzo slipped from the room, closing the door behind them.

“That’s fine. I want them taken care of.” Her voice shook but she lifted her chin as though making a decision. “They deserve to die for what they’ve done. You don’t.”

“What if this is the only way?” I asked.

She shook her head. “It isn’t. There’s always another way.” Her fingers slid into my jacket lapels, and she pulled me toward her. “Why are you pulling away?”

“I’m right here.” I touched her face, my thumbs making slow circles on her cheeks.

“Physically, yes. But emotionally you’re running away faster than a cheetah on the hunt. You’re risking your life for me and Leo. I never asked for that. I never wanted that.” Her grip tightened. “Why are you trying to leave me?”