Page 70 of Twisted Trust

“Don’t you worry,” I reply with a polite smile. “When my child is on the way, we will be untouchable.”

Naz nods once and his smile widens. “Just be careful of snakes in the grass.”

A bolt of alarm shoots down my spine like a clap of thunder and I immediately turn my gaze to the ground.

The Serpents are here? Would they really try something right in the middle of this party? I wouldn’t put it past them.

Naz leaves with a smile and Maeve moves around me, placing her hand on my chest. “What’s wrong?” she asks. “What’s happened?”

Staring over her head, I slide one arm around her waist and continue to scan the crowd. “The Serpents are here.”

“What?” She tenses immediately. “Should we leave?”

“No. I won’t be seen fleeing my own party because of them.”

“I don’t give a shit about them,” she hisses under her breath. “I care about Scott.”

“I know, but Scott is safe.” I watch one of Naz’s men lean into Chip and exchange a few words, then they all subtly move to create a protective circle around the children. “Don’t worry. It would be suicide to try something here. They’d never recover from attacking two families at once.”

“I don’t like this,” Maeve murmurs.

I glance down, and she holds my gaze with all color faded from her cheeks. “I’m sorry, Maeve, but this is what you signed up for. You have to trust me that I’ll keep you safe.”

Her lips press into a thin line and I see the debate raging in her eyes. Choosing to trust me with this when she could easily flee with her son and reach somewhere she deems safe is the much more alluring option. But if she starts running, the Serpents will know they have a weak spot they can pressure.

“Please.” My voice lowers. “I know you have very little reason to, but please trust me. You’re safe here.”

Her eyes slip away from me and toward Scott, who laughs loudly in excitement while petting something small and fuzzy. “You’re asking me to trust you with him.”

“Yes.” I cup her face gently and guide her attention back to me. “I will protect him with my life.”

She searches my eyes and must find whatever she’s looking for because she sighs softly a moment later. “Okay. We stay.”

I kiss her, half for show since several guests have been watching us curiously, and half to soothe her as quickly as I can. Then we walk hand in hand through the party heading toward the bar where my father, Elio, stands with my mother.

Until someone steps in our path.

A tall, young man with a rugged beard and a suit that looks a size too big for his lean form. “I hear congratulations are in order.” He sniffs around the unlit cigarette hanging from his lips.

My arm winds possessively around Maeve’s waist. “Thanks, Leo.”

Leo Pesci is the leader of the Red Serpents and his presence here is as much of a threat as my refusal to leave and back down. If he’s dumb, he’ll make a move and I’ll get the chance to wipe his smug face across my fist without having to justify it to any of the Syndicate generals.

Unfortunately, he keeps his distance. “Smoke?” After rummaging in his pocket, he pulls out a crumpled pack of cigarettes.

“No.”

“The hell? You used to smoke like a chimney. They ain’t poisoned if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“I’d be worried if they were because that would be a shockingly terrible way to advertise your inexperience.”

Leo’s eyes narrow and he slides the pack back into his pocket. “Oh, I don’t know. I’m learning that folks around here ain’t as smart as they make out to be.”

“Oh, really?”

“Mmhmm.” His sleazy gaze slides to Maeve and lingers on her for longer than I can stomach.

“The boldness of youth isn’t exactly known for making smart decisions, so I’m not sure you’d know a clever fox even if it rose up against your throat.”