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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

“I don’t like to gamble, but if there’s one thing I’m willing to bet on, it’s myself.”

~ Beyoncé

Saros

The house was bustling with people. These dinners were important for a couple of reasons. I liked to see who avoided them—that usually put up a red flag that someone needed to be checked up on. It was good for my family and people to relax, and I found this was a great way to infuse a sort of camaraderie. A lot of these people would die for me, and many were paid to do just that. A weekly dinner was my way of bringing them into my home and showing I appreciated them.

That didn’t mean that if one of them crossed a line, I wouldn’t snuff them out faster than my niece could crumble into a temper tantrum. Speaking of …

“Any eyes on Brandi?” I asked Riley. I didn’t get to see him often since he and Gino were stationed with Dafni and the kids.

“No, last I heard she hadn’t arrived. I’ll go check.” He walked off and I saw Gina, Marco’s widow, talking to Lisa, Gino’s wife. I walked over to say hello.

“Hey, Saros, how you doin’?” Lisa was a boisterous, bubbly lady. The opposite of Gino.

“I’m fine, Lisa. How are the kids?”

“Good, good. Deena is a senior this year, lookin’ at going to college across the country, God help us all. Richie is going through some emo phase, but we’re embracing it.”

“Kids, I guess. How are you, Gina?”

While I could see the sadness in her eyes, she was a strong woman and was grieving in her own way. Dafni and Penelope made sure to see or talk to her often.

“I’m hanging in there.”

“Boss.” I turned and saw Riley.

“Excuse me, ladies.” I moved away to the corner to talk to him. “What’s up?”

“Anthony informed me that Brandi showed up about ten minutes ago. He didn’t see her so I went to his station, and we walked through the rear, and one of the staff said they saw her coming in through that entrance.”

I turned and met Cosmo’s eyes; he was with Dafni. I surveyed the area, Benny was with Paulo, Penelope with Andrew and one of my guys.

“Where’s Em?”

“Sir?”

“That’s why she sneaked in. She came for him. Find her, now!”

“Yes, Boss.” Riley rushed out. Cosmo and Benny noticed and followed along.

“What’s wrong?” Dafni asked.

“We need to find Em.”

“He went to the sitting room about ten minutes ago.”

I didn’t hesitate. I quickly made my way through people, who rushed out of my way. In the sitting room, in the corner was Em. His leg was up but he wasn’t relaxed. Brandi was leaning over him, saying something.

Mike, Cosmo, and Gino entered behind me. “Empty this room out, quietly.”

The three of them went to each person. No one even questioned it, and once everyone was gone, Gino shut the double doors. Brandi was oblivious, and Em looked as if he were drowning.

I cleared my throat loudly. Em flinched, and Brandi’s back stiffened, but she didn’t turn around.

“Brandi, I’ve been wondering where you’ve been.”

She didn’t say anything. Em’s eyes were on me now, and I wanted to pull him away from her and shield him.

“Do me a favor would you, and move the fuck away from Em. Now.”

She took a few steps and finally faced me. There was no hiding her fear, but hidden beneath that was a flicker of defiance.

“Sir—”

“No, you’ll get time to speak when I’ve asked you to. Right now, Gino and Mike are going to take you downstairs. I’ll be with you after dinner is done.”

“But, sir, please let me expl?—”

I took three long steps and gripped Brandi by her neck, lifting her slightly off the carpet.

“You don’t hear so well, do you? You don’t speak now. If I must, I’ll cut your tongue out, and you can write your responses to me.”

She clawed at my hand and gurgled.

“Do as you’re told,” I growled and dropped her unceremoniously on the floor. “Gino, Mike?”

“Yeah, Boss.”

I moved over to Em and kneeled. “Are you okay?”

His gaze flickered to where Gino and Mike were escorting Brandi from the room. “Eyes on me, Em.”

When he did, I smiled. “You’re safe. I’m sorry she got to you. She sneaked in the back.”

“You don’t have to apologize to me.”

“Em.” I lifted his chin with my finger when he dipped his head. “What did she say to you?”

“Nothing kind.”

“No, I imagine not. Can you please tell me, though? She’ll be held accountable for it.”

His eyes widened. “Are you going to kill her?”

Em didn’t strike me as the person to ask about business. I wasn’t angry with his inquiry, but I was curious as to the response he wanted from me.

“Are you sure you want the answer to that?”

He took a breath. “I don’t know.”

“It’s nothing you have to worry about. Can you repeat what she told you?”

He wiggled in the seat. “She said I didn’t belong here. Told me I was selfish to incite a war between families. Said I wouldn’t understand what that was like, since I’m not part of one because no one wants me.” His brows dropped. “Told me if I wanted to save you, I’d go back to Ramsey and beg for my life.”

I cupped Em’s cheek. His brown eyes were wet with unshed tears. “She’s wrong, Em. About all of it. I very much want you here.”

“You do?”

“You’re special. There’s something about you.” Gently, I rubbed my thumb over his skin.

“I’m not special.”

I smirked at the clueless man. “Many people don’t always agree with what I say, but I’m still always right, Em.”

He chuckled, and the air in the room felt lighter. “How about we go get some food?”

He nodded, and I helped him up. I’d deal with Brandi after everyone left. She’d stew downstairs and wonder what was coming her way. And with what Mike had told me and seeing her here with Em, her future wasn’t very bright at all.

Em ate, Paulo and I stayed close, and I could tell about an hour later he was starting to flag.

“I can help you upstairs,” Paulo offered.

“I’m kind of tired.” He looked at me. “Is it okay if I go? I can stay if you want.”

“No, you go rest. I’ll see you in the morning.” I gripped his good hand. “Sweet dreams.”

I watched as Paulo and Em left the room, my gaze unable to move until they were out of sight.

“I know that face.” Aunt Penelope nudged me.

“And what face is that?”

She giggled. “The same one I gave my husband the second I knew he was the one.” She winked and walked away before I had a chance to say anything.

Not long after Em left the gathering, people began dispersing. Dafni and the kids were staying the night, as were my aunt and uncle. I was beat, craved a shower and bed, but that wouldn’t be happening. Cosmo, Gino, Benny, Mike, and Riley joined me in my study.

“We doing this tonight?” Cos asked.

“That bitch isn’t staying under the same roof as Em. We do this now.”

I didn’t answer Em when he’d inquired if I was going to kill Brandi because for some reason, I hadn’t wanted to see his judgment. Truth was, there was no way she was walking out of this house alive.