Page 75 of Thorns of Blood

I punched the gas, charging down the road, and for the first time ever, I threw my head in the wind and laughed.

Loudly. Freely. Happily.

TWENTY-SEVEN

GIOVANNI

After we returned from the drive, I went to my office to deal with some business.

Romeo was stretched out on the couch, on the phone and looking annoyed, a mug of coffee in his hand.

“We delivered all the product,” he spat as I sank down across from him “We counted it in front of your men too. If something is missing, it’s because you have a thief in your midst.”

I could hear the string of curses coming via phone from my spot, and he shook his head, then sat down his coffee cup with an audible clank, spilling some of the liquid on the table.

“Be my guest, asshole. Tell your boss, and I’ll tell mine. But fuck with us, and we’ll end you both.Comprendes?” He ended the call and I shot him a questioning look. “Fucking Corsicans.”

“They still haven’t figured out who’s stealing from them?” I asked.

We’d been delivering products to them for six months now, but it was only the last two times that the process didn’t line up. Of course they were pissed, but clearly they needed to up their game and deal with the problem in their midst.

“No.” He huffed a sigh. “By the way, Mother called.”

I groaned. “I hope you didn’t tell her I’d call her back.”

Romeo chuckled. “I didn’t, but she demanded it.”

“She can demand all she wants, I’m not calling her. I’m surprised she’s not up her lover’s ass. It’s usually where she finds herself.”

Romeo’s expression turned serious. “You think this thing between her and Atticus will last?”

Atticus Popov.

The man had some brains on him, which made this shit between him and my mother even more confusing. About six months ago, I learned that the two were an item, and initially, I ignored it. My mother’s romantic affairs never lasted. If a man was smart, he moved on. If the man was dumb, my mother used him for all he was worth and thenshemoved on.

But Atticus Popov was still around.

“I don’t know,” I said honestly. “By all accounts, it should have.”

Romeo gave me a twisted smile. “I don’t think there’s any fucking happening.”

My eyebrows arched. “Why do you say that?”

He shrugged. “From what I hear from Mother’s maids, he never stays the night.”

Shoving Mother’s affairs aside, Romeo and I spent the next hour discussing business.

“I’m off to bed,” I said with a yawn.

My brother chuckled. “Our mother might not be getting any, but you sure are. Finally.”

I flipped him off, although it was impossible to wipe the grin off my face.

Today was a good day.

Yes, Lia had a moment at breakfast, but I believed she needed those as part of her recovery. She had started to trust me,and I didn’t want to break that. I’d waited for her for eight years, and now I’d made it my life’s mission to keep her safe and happy.

I’d heard her laugh freely and happily for the first time today, and I wanted more of it. I was quickly getting addicted to it, and the key to keeping Lia with me was to ensure she got rid of the ghosts of her past.