Page 95 of The Mafia's Bride

Sloane is in the kitchen with Collins and Hayes, Killian opting to go with them than stay.

The fire is gone, and the lights are dimmed, shadows filling the room. Ace stands behind her desk, hands shoved into her pockets. She’s dressed in all black again.

Similar to me, I stand behind the armchairs. I don’t trust her to sit. Not after our last time together.

“My product is missing.”

It’s so cold, the temperature dropping along with it. I fight off the urge to shudder, keeping my eyes locked on the psychotic woman.

“I know.”

“Where did it go?”

I pinch the bridge of my nose warily. “I don’t know, Ace. I’m looking into it.”

When I look back to her, a knife is flipping in her hand, fingers pinch the tip. Over and over, it flips, a metallic sound cutting the air. It’s as menacing at the look she’s giving me.

“You’ve had a week. I’ve had shipments stopped and still, no news.” The words are deadly calm. “You’re married to my sister. I letyou into my family. Let you have one of the most precious things I have. And when I trust you to do your fucking job,you lose my shipment.”

The knife sails through the air, stabbing the wooden door at my ear. It doesn’t cut me, but I feel the gust. A warning. A well-placed warning.

Sweat dots my brow, fear spiking in my gut as the closeness of the blade. I steel my spine but even I know how precarious this situation is.

Ace could kill me without a second thought. Worry and fear sit like led in my gut. I’m on borrowed time.

“Do you plan on killing me, Ace?”

“I’m considering it,” she retorts, eyes black. “I trusted you. We have a contract. Now I hear my sister is learning to shoot.”

“My wife,” I correct her. “Nico and I both thought she should learn. It’s a tragedy she was never taught, especially as the daughter to a Captain. It’s an asset.”

She glares, face paling. “I had my reasons.”

“And she’s a De Luca now,” I remind her, pulling the knife from the door. It’s a pearl inlaid handle, with a delicate blade. Meant for a woman to hold.

I notice it’s the same blade Sloane keeps on her person, always tucked away.

“You love to remind me of that.”

“You like to forget.” I hold the knife out to her, an act of truce. Thankfully, this time, I’ve learned to keep my temper in check and speak to Ace like a business associate.

“I don’t forget,” she says slowly, plucking the knife from my hand. “But she’s an O’Brien first and I protect my siblings.”

It’s the first time Ace has seemed vulnerable. If being prickly and plotting my death counts as vulnerable for the woman.

I decide to meet her halfway. I can’t let emotions run high or risk losing her alliance. That’s what the mole wants. “I protect my family, Ace. Sloane is my family. You are my family too. I would never risk your product or your clan. Not on purpose.”

This appeases her, the tension draining from her shoulders. “Where are you at with it?” She sits into the chair, curling her legs under her body.

“Frankly, nowhere. The mole is taking shipments, rerouting them. I have Killian looking into names.”

As much as I don’t want to rely on the reaper, he’s a good choice. He’s outside the organizations and can see things clearer than I can.

“I want those names.”

I shrug. “I don’t have any yet.”

Now, she smiles wide. “You’re lying.”