Page 87 of The Mafia's Bride

“And the mugging?”

Fucking hell.I’d be impressed if I wasn’t irritated. Ace has better spies than we do.

“Eyes everywhere, huh, Ace?”

She looks bored. “You have a pretty face but must be an idiot to think that I don’t.”

Killian practically glows with amusement as I growl under my breath. Sloane’s hand curls into mine, holding me firm as a way of steadying my urge to reach for the gun at my hip.

“Ironic to show that you care now, Ace, considering you sold me your sister for the clan.” Her eyes darken, Killian’s smile slipping instantly. Both look like twin ghouls, readying to devour my heart. “But in case you’ve forgotten, Sloane is a De Luca now. You have no control over her.”

Killian freezes, tilting his head like a predator sizing up his next kill. My blood pounds, adrenaline flooding my hands as my foot tapsto ease the discomfort. I know they’re both thinking of ways to kill me and although I’m usually smarter than this, I’m on edge.

Sloane is my responsibility. She’s my wife. And these two are acting as if I cannot take care of her.

I don’t appreciate the insinuation.

Sloane looks to me, eyes bright, pleased that someone is standing up for her.

Fuck this clan if they’ve ever made her feel like she isn’t worthy. That she was never worthy enough to be loved.

Ace leans forward, face contorted into a shallow mask of fury.

“Maeve,” Sloane interjects, gaining her attention. “It’s fine. Nothing happened at the docks. Nothing that I haven’t heard about before.”

Her sister glares harder. “Seeing and hearing are two different things, kid.” She turns back, her rage focused on me. I wonder how many times she’s imagined shooting me. “You killed a man in front of her.”

“And you haven’t killed before?”

She smiles and it’s not pretty. “Not in front of an innocent.”

“Please,” Sloane rolls her eyes. “Innocent is a stretch. Besides, it’s over. I’m fine, he’s fine. And if he hadn’t killed the captain, I’d be dead.”

Ace swallows, fingers curling into the desk. “You should never have been there to begin with.”

“But I was.” She shifts under her sister’s gaze. “So stop treating me like some dumb kid. I’m married now. I’m the wife of a future Capo. I can handle these things.”

Ace’s mouth clamps shut and Killian edges back, as if to shield his master. Maybe he’s stopping her from flying across the table to kill my wife.

No matter who she is, Ace won’t touch Sloane. I won’t let her.

“The point of this,” the captain says slowly, focusing on her words as if to rein in her anger, “was so you wouldn’t have to handle these things.” She glares at me. “I told you to keep her safe.”

“And I am.”

“Then explain the mugging.” Ace leans back, the green returning to her eyes. “She didn’t have a guard? She didn’t have protection? She was held at gunpoint, in broad daylight. Where were your men?”

Licking my lips, I hold Sloane tighter, reassuring myself that she’s right here and not dead on the street. Like she could have been.

Because I screwed up.

“That was an oversight on my part.”

“You didn’t think anyone would go after her.” Killian smirks, clutching his tongue. “Your arrogance is astounding, heir.”

“Fuck you, reaper.”

“I entrusted my sister’s safety to you.” Ace seethes, tapping fingers on to her desk. “Maybe you’re not up to the task. Maybe this arrangement should be voided.”