Page 25 of Twisted Trust (Mafia Lords of Sin #10)

LEVI

“ A re you sure about this?” Unable to stop myself, I reach for Maeve and lightly tuck one curl of her hair behind her ear. Ever since our talk a few days ago, it’s been hard to keep my hands to myself. “We can always end this early if it’s too much for you.”

She immediately shakes her head and turns her face into my palm, briefly kissing my wrist. “Are you kidding? I’ve put so much work into this engagement party and I’m reveling in the look of shock on your mom’s face when she walked in here and saw the ice sculptures and the dancers.

She didn’t think I could pull this off, did she? ”

“No,” I reply honestly. “But it’s not what you think. She’s a complicated woman.”

“You mean a bitch?” She arches one brow at me, then her bare shoulders slump and she briefly adjusts the gorgeous golden dress that clings to all her mouthwatering curves. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t say that. This whole thing just feels like a giant test, y’know?”

“It is, but I think it’s less about how you present yourself and more about how you survive in this kind of world because those?

” I nod over the indoor balcony where we’ve taken refuge from the party for a few minutes.

“This is the life you will lead as my wife. Parties and galas all with a hidden agenda, people who will crave your downfall out of jealousy because of who you are married to, and every person will be a subtle threat.”

“Are you trying to put me off?” Maeve smiles up at me. “Because it won’t work. This? And people believing it? Is what will keep Scott with me.” She hesitates as if there’s more to say, but nothing else comes. Instead, she presses her lips together and smiles. “Thank you for letting this happen.”

If I had my way, the party would be canceled and Maeve would be in the compound with Scott until I found out who the fuck had been manipulating both of us for five years. But Maeve won that argument by threatening never to kiss me again, and I’m a weaker man than I realized.

“I still think this is a huge security risk but as long as you stay by my side, I will allow it.”

“Kinda possessive, don’t you think?” She glances up at me from under her lashes. “Everyone has been so lovely so far.”

She doesn’t know that Antony and his father, my uncle, are seething with rage and stormed out of the party before I could introduce them.

My father explained that they had hoped to present Antony with a bride as well to get him back in the running for Don, but the woman never showed and Antony couldn’t face the humiliation.

A pity. I would have loved to rub this in his smug little face.

“Everyone will always appear lovely,” I warn her. “But you have to be on your guard at all times.”

“I know.” Straightening up, she turns back to where Scott plays a few feet behind us under the very watchful eye of Chip. “I think we’ll stay for another hour, then I really should get him home.”

“Sounds perfect. Chip?”

Chip grunts his acknowledgement but doesn’t take his eyes off Scott. He’s taking his bodyguard role extremely seriously.

“Can you take Scott down to the animal pen and let him mingle with the other children? I want to introduce Maeve to Naz.”

Chip glances up at me and our gazes meet for a brief second. “Understood.”

“Who is Naz?” Maeve asks as she kisses the top of Scott’s head. “Be good, baby.”

“I will, Mommy!” Scott grins up at her, waves at me, then heads off hand in hand with Chip.

“Nazario Baudino is the Don of The Wolves, an organization we’re in alliance with.”

Maeve’s hand tightens at the crook of my elbow. “Wait, I remember them. The Wolves. They were…” She squints up at me. “That’s who you met five years ago, right?”

“Yes.”

“And you guys are friends now?”

“Through a lot of hard work, we have a quiet understanding that most don’t know about. For a while, he believed the same lie I did about you and what happened. He actually began to suspect something was off before I did.”

“Sounds like I should be marrying him instead,” Maeve says with a teasing smile that vanishes when we reach the bottom of the stairs and run into exactly who I was looking for.

“Levi.” Naz smiles widely and clasps my shoulder. “Congratulations on a wonderful party. I haven’t been able to drag my daughter away from the animal pen all evening.”

We all look past him to the small petting zoo Maeve organized. Scott and Chip are there watching a beautiful, colorful bird flap its wings in the face of an adorable girl with jet-black hair pulled into bunches and a red floral dress.

“She’s beautiful, is she yours?” Maeve asks gently.

“Yes. Isabella, my daughter. It isn’t often I would bring her to something like this but when she heard about the animals, I couldn’t say no to her face. She plans on being a vet when she’s older, and I do not have the heart to tell her about the world we live in.”

Near Isabella stand several of Naz’s men watching over her like silent guardians. “She’s precious.” I flash him a small smile. “Naz, this is my fiancée, Maeve.” With a subtle lift of my brow, I give Naz all the info he needs as he takes Maeve’s hand and lightly kisses her knuckles.

“You look a vision. When I heard that someone had finally tamed Levi, I said to my wife that she must be one hell of a strong woman to put up with him.”

Maeve’s cheeks flush a dark pink and she laughs. “I don’t know about strong but I’m definitely determined.”

“And that little one over there…” Naz glances back at the animals. “He is yours?”

“Yes.” Maeve nods.

“A tragic end for his father, so I’m told,” Naz says with a glance at me that hints he suspects more than he’s letting on. “I trust the same fate won’t befall Levi when you are with child.”

To an outsider, Naz’s words easily sound like a threat and even Maeve seems to think so, but I know the truth. He’s wishing me well in the most secretive way he can.

“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.”

Leo’s eyes slide back to me and he snorts. “I heard you ran into some trouble downtown. Just can’t get the staff these days, can you? In this economy, nearly everyone’s working two jobs.”

Anger surges through me like rising steam.

I want to rip that smirk off his face and pulverize him for what he put Maeve and Scott through.

I want to tell him I know those fake Wolf tattoos were to cover up the shitty Serpents underneath and that his plan to infiltrate us isn’t as smooth as he thinks.

It nearly surges up through me until Maeve turns into me and places her calming hand against my chest. “Sorry to interrupt, darling,” she says sweetly, “but I really need to talk to your mom.”

The anger, still simmering beneath my skin, depletes faintly and I force a smile. “If you’ll excuse me, Leo. I must escort this beautiful woman.”

“Of course.” Leo mock bows and his eyes narrow as we walk past. “Better keep an eye on her,” he hisses just as I depart.

It takes every ounce of my restraint not to lash out at him, choosing instead to keep Maeve close to me. As we reach the bar, I send a text to Chip asking him to bring Scott over.

“Maeve!” My mother, Marcella, clutches at Maeve and brings her closer. “I’ve been looking for you. Come, there’s someone I want you to meet who would be more than happy to cater your wedding, but they’re only available next month, and I think a November wedding would be beautiful!”

Before Maeve can reply and before I can react, Marcella has whisked Maeve away to a group of people further down the bar, leaving me with my father.

“Best leave her to it.” Elio chuckles. “You’ll learn soon enough.”

I rest on the bar next to him with one eye on Maeve and grunt.

“What’s wrong?” Elio’s eyes narrow. “What’s happened?”

“Fucking Pesci is here.”

“A threat?”

“No, just an arrogant prick. But he’s made it clear he’s got his eyes on Maeve.”

“And her son?”

I jerk my head to the side where Chip is heading toward us with Scott in tow. “Safe.”

“Pesci is young. Stupid. He chooses extravagance over real effort,” Elio says as he slides a glass of bourbon toward me. “He’ll be gone soon enough.”

“You said the same thing five years ago and here we are.”

“But look at what has changed.” Elio casts an arm wide. “I’m proud of you, Levi.”

Wait, what?

My heart stutters in my chest as I face him, and Elio’s smile seems genuine.

“I don’t say it enough, I know. But a few weeks ago, we were facing the end of the Gallo empire with Antony sweeping to the top spot and now, in one glance, I see several families we’re allied with, including the Baudinos.

A feat I never dreamed of. You have a beautiful woman on your arm and your future is secured. Our future is secured. Because of you.”

“Not yet,” I say, still in quiet shock. “Maeve isn’t pregnant.”

“Ah.” Elio raises one brow and turns to watch Scott rush into Maeve’s arms. “Her son is rather striking, isn’t he?”

When he turns back to me, there’s a strange look in his eyes as if he suddenly knows everything after one glance. My chest tightens, and I’m about to ask him when he continues to speak.

“All I’m saying is that Pesci is not the threat he thinks he is.

He’s a dog. He’s young and stupid. But you?

You’re about to embark on the best part of life with a woman on your arm.

You have friends. You’ve built the Gallos back to glory.

You know, for years people used to say that crossing a Gallo was tying your own noose, and that threat slipped after… Well, we all know why. But this?”

My father claps me on my shoulder and for the first time in my life, I’m struck with the feeling that he really sees me and it’s a little overwhelming. “Dad…”

“Enjoy it, Son. We’re in the victory lap now.”

The victory lap. My attention drifts to Maeve as she tips her head back and laughs. Maybe this is a victory. My family is safe, my father is proud, and business is strong. And Antony will soon be nothing but a forgotten speck.

So why do I still feel oddly unfulfilled?

Like something’s missing?

Maeve glances over her shoulder and our eyes meet, and in an instant, it hits me.

My entire life is business deal after business deal and that’s how Maeve and I have reunited. But with everything I’ve learned, my feelings for Maeve are returning stronger than ever.

I don’t want her to be just a deal anymore.

I want her. All of her.

And I don’t plan on ever letting her go again.