Page 29 of Twisted Trust (Mafia Lords of Sin #10)

MAEVE

T hey ruled in his favor.

Of course they did.

People hurry past us in the airport lounge, desperate to catch their flight or run to the next gate to get the best seats to wait. Rain pours outside and I watch two droplets race each other neck and neck down the window while Levi paces next to me.

“I can’t believe they didn’t do anything about it, that she didn’t even consider anything you went through!”

He’s been ranting about the case from the courthouse all the way to the airport. It took all my strength to stop him from pulverizing my old landlord. As much as I want to see that man suffer, losing Levi in the process is not what I want. I need him right here with me.

“Please sit,” I say, tapping the table I’m sitting at. “It’s over, that’s all that really matters.”

“Fucking hearsay,” Levi mutters as he finally takes the seat across from me. “I’m sorry, Maeve, I’m so sorry.”

Tearing my gaze away from the raindrops, I look at him. “It’s not your fault.”

“It is. I’m the reason you ran. I can’t believe—” He cuts himself off and briefly runs his hand down his face.

“I was furious with you back then because we were all stuck in a lie. Because of that, you were in a shitty apartment and then had to deal with him hurting you, then you had to run because of me. And because of all that shit, I missed out on years with both of you.” Levi shakes his head.

“I should have been there to protect you.”

Old stubbornness rises inside me, ready to tell him that I was independent and didn’t need anyone, but it’s not true.

Back then, I was alone and I felt so cornered and lost on how to stay safe and raise a baby.

I did need him back then. A fog of pain spreads across my chest and it doesn’t ease until I reach across the table and take his hand.

“Listen. What happened, happened. We can’t change it.

And it was awful and it sucked, I won’t lie.

But we were caught up in someone else’s plan, that’s what you said.

And I believe it. Maybe things would have been different and yeah, I would have loved for us to have been this perfect family, but this is what we have.

And what I want to focus on is what we have now.

Once the money clears, I’ll never have to think about that period of my life ever again. ”

The anger clouding Levi’s face fades but it doesn’t vanish entirely. He’s still very much enraged and it’s rather hot to see him so worked up over me.

“I’m sorry,” Levi says earnestly. “I won’t let something like that happen ever again. If anyone ever hurts you, I’ll?—”

“I know,” I say softly. “You have a protective ego.”

“Ego?” Levi snorts and slides his fingers between mine, intertwining my hands. “You think ego is what drives me?”

“Sure. Can’t have Levi Gallo’s fiancée getting fondled by strangers. What would the families think?” My tone remains light and teasing. “I’m glad you came with me.”

“You’re not mad I ignored your request?”

I shake my head. “I was scared you’d hear all of that and think less of me. That’s why I wanted you to stay away. Plus, you’re you.”

He frowns lightly. “What does that mean?”

“You’d kill him if I let you, wouldn’t you?”

“Yes.” Levi doesn’t even hesitate.

“Exactly. And killing someone in a courthouse means I lose you too and I don’t want that. I just want this to be over.”

Levi studies my face and my cheeks warm under his attention. I want nothing more than to sink into his arms and let him carry me away.

“Let me pay the money, then,” Levi says. “After all, I can’t be seen letting my fiancée pay her own bills.”

Rolling my eyes, I smile. “Fine. I don’t have that kind of money, anyway.”

“My money is your money, remember?”

“Mmhmm.”

Levi ends up dragging his chair to my side of the table and we cuddle together, watching the rain pour and sharing some appetizers while waiting for his jet to be ready.

As we sit together, I end up telling him all about Scott’s early life.

His first word being ‘Mama’ still brings a tear to my eye.

His first steps were in the hallway of my apartment while we were playing with toy snowmen during Christmas.

His first solid food was a super ripe avocado I got from the market.

His first sentence was ‘no mama’s wrong’.

His first day of pre-school broke my heart, but he was so excited and never looked back.

Levi looks a little misty-eyed when we board the plane and at the top of the steps, he pulls me into his arms. “Thank you for sharing all of that.”

“You’re not angry I didn’t tell you he was yours, are you?”

Levi cradles my face in his hands. “I could never be angry with you for protecting your son.”

“Our son,” I whisper against his lips as I kiss him. Deep down, I have no idea what all this means for the future, but I know I won’t be alone this time, which means the world.

We sleep for the six-hour flight from New York to Las Vegas and by the time we land, we’ve left the storm behind and I no longer feel as dead on my feet as when I boarded. As we walk out of the jet and approach the steps, I hesitate and catch Levi’s wrist.

He stops two steps down from me and turns to look up at me. “What’s wrong?”

“You know something I just thought of?”

“What?”

“Scott has never been on holiday. Maybe that’s a first we should tick off.”

His eyes widen. “You mean that?”

“After everything he’s been through, I think he might need it.”

“Is it strange that on the flight home I couldn’t stop thinking about seeing him?” Levi walks back up to me and slides his arm around my waist, pulling me snug against him. “Any other firsts I might be able to be a part of?”

“You can be the first one to get him to eat his vegetables without complaint.” I smirk, caressing his cheek. “Thank you for coming with me.”

“Of course.” Levi kisses me slowly until someone loudly clears their throat at the bottom of the steps.

We break apart to see Elio standing there smiling broadly. “In your own time!”

Warmth flushes my cheeks while Levi kisses me again and then hurries down the steps toward his father. “Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize, Son, I know the feeling. Maeve!” He greets me with a smile. “I must pass on warm thanks for entrusting Scott to us while you traveled. I can’t explain how good it was for Marcella to have time with him.”

“I hope he wasn’t too much of a handful,” I say with a smile.

“I fear we may have spoiled him and I pray you won’t hate us for it.” Elio chuckles. “Of course, we will spoil him enough that he won’t complain when the two of you have your own, hmm?”

Levi and I exchange a knowing look while we walk toward the cars parked around the runway. I glimpse Donald, Levi’s driver, standing next to one while tapping his foot on the ground.

“Dad,” Levi groans. “Now is not the time.”

“Why?” Elio snorts. “You can’t fool me. The way you’re kissing her? I expect we will be babysitting more soon.”

It’s strange to hear such a conversation when just a few weeks ago it felt like my life was nearly over. Now Scott is suddenly surrounded by a large, loving family that accepts him without hesitation. I never could have dreamed of such a thing.

My hand tightens in Levi’s and he glances at me with a smile.

“Maeve, I?—”

Before any other words can escape him, the black cars are engulfed in balls of flame as a loud explosion echoes across the tarmac.