Page 180 of Vows of a Mobster

“Okay.”

When we arrived at Agosti Enterprise, we went straight to the top floor. It felt strange being back. It has only been a few weeks but it felt like a lifetime. So much had changed. I was Mateo’s wife now, I carried his child, and our daughter was connected to the Irish mafia.

We went straight to his office.

“I’m sorry, I have a meeting I can’t miss.” He bent his head and kissed my cheek. “Will you be okay here? Marissa should be here soon with Emma and there are men watching this floor and every exit and entrance.”

I chuckled. “I’m fine. Go take care of your stuff.”

“Don’t leave without Antonio and two guards when Marissa and Emma come,” he warned, concern lacing his voice. “Daphne will come shortly too. I’m not sure how long I’ll be.”

“I won’t leave without them,” I wrapped my hands around his waist. “Whatever is going on, just be careful.”

“Don’t worry about me, amore. You keep our baby and yourself safe.”

One more kiss, and he left while I watched after him.

What is happening?

Sixty-Two

Mateo

Iwas in Antonio’s office within five minutes. Daphne was there with him, sitting on his lap while he rubbed her back, trying to comfort his wife.

“You good?” I asked Daphne. She was pale, her eyes slightly dilated.

“Yes.” She looked shaken up.

I shifted my eyes to Antonio. “You have him?”

“He’s in the basement.” Normally we wouldn't discuss this in front of a woman, but considering the guy tried to kidnap Daphne to get his dirty paws on my wife, it was pointless to hide it. “I lost my cool. But he’s still alive.”

I couldn’t blame him. Just thinking about him in the near vicinity of my wife and my daughter, I was ready to murder him with my own hands.

“Daphne, I know this is asking a lot,” I started, trying to keep my voice calm although rage boiled inside me. “Could I ask you not to say anything to Brianna? I don’t want her upset, especially not in her condition.”

She nodded her response. “Where is she?”

“She’s in my office, waiting for Marissa, Emma, and you.”

“I’ll wash up and go to her.” She stood up, Antonio eyeing her concerned. There was an ugly purple bruise forming on her upper arm.

“Do you have a light jacket?” I asked her and she followed my gaze.

“Shit,” she muttered under her breath.

Antonio went to his closet and pulled out one of his suit jackets, placing it onto her shoulders.

“I don’t understand why her mother wants to hurt her,” she mumbled.

Daphne heard the assassin admit that he was trying to get to Brianna through her friends but nobody knew about the inheritance but Antonio, Declan, and myself. It was the reason Declan was bringing Emma and Marissa here. The Irish were invested in keeping Emma safe. Blood was everything to them, just as it was to me and my family.

“Who knows?” Antonio answered his wife. “Calm down and then join Brianna. You three don’t leave with Emma, without me. Understood?”

She nodded again. She washed up her face in Antonio’s private bathroom, both of us waited for her to be done. When she exited the office, she ran into Marissa.

“Perfect timing,” Daphne greeted her and Emma.