Bang Bang(3)
“I love her.” My voice was hoarse. “I love her!”
Sergio wiped the blood from his lip and let out a heavy sigh. “And I love you.”
I shook my head, not trusting my voice.
“It was you or her,” he said slowly. “My brother or a girl I hardly know. A De Lange… someone we’ve never been able to trust from a family who’d sell their own souls to Satan just to get ahead in this life. I made the call you were too weak to make.”
“I was weak because I damn near died protecting her!” I roared.
“Right.” Sergio nodded. “And now it’s my turn to protect you.”
“I will never…” My voice shook. “Never forgive you for this.”
“I don’t expect you to.”
“We’re done.”
“I know.”
Neither of us moved. It was the end of our brotherhood, the end of our family. Our mom was dead, our father in prison… that left just me and Sergio… blood thirsty cousins to the most powerful mafia family in the US.
Estranged.
Over a woman.
“Go into hiding,” Sergio barked tossing me my passport. “Off the grid. I’ll make it happen. Just one thing.”
My head snapped to attention. “You think you’re in a position to ask a favor?”
“You’re still blood.” His teeth clenched, damn near snarling. “One day your marker’s going to get called. When the boss needs you, you will come running, or you’ll die in your sleep.”
“That a threat?”
“Absolutely.”
I scowled. “Then let’s just pray The Family doesn’t need my help anytime soon, yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Bye brother.”
“Bye, Ax.”
My body jolted as the gates to the mansion opened. Five years and my marker had finally been called up.
My number… announced.
My identity no longer a secret.
I pulled the sleek Mercedes to a stop in front of the massive stairs leading up to the house and slammed my hand against the steering wheel. Memories of Amy made it damn near impossible to breathe, to hold in the emotion. I hadn’t kept that end of the promise to my brother. I’d checked in on her… and every time I did, he found out and threatened me again. I did it anyway, because I had to know she was safe. But the last two years, I hadn’t heard or seen anything. So when Sergio called and said I was needed, I didn’t hesitate. If she was in Chicago, I was going to find her.
I opened the door, got out, and slammed it behind me, then walked slowly up the stairs. The door to the house opened, making a creaking noise. Sergio stood there in a white t-shirt and fitted jeans. He’d always projected power… from his chiseled features to his screw-you attitude. His long dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail away from his face making his jaw look sharp… like a target ready for my fist.
“How was the drive?” he asked smoothly. His accent barely recognizable since last time I’d seen him. We’d both worked hard to get rid of our accents, apparently some harder than others.
“Boring.”
He smirked. “Well, after today, I’m sure that word will be forever etched from your vocabulary.”
“Yeah, why’s that?”
He grinned. “It’s good to have you back brother.”
I snorted and looked down licking my lips. “I’m back because of Family.”
“No.” Sergio sighed. “You’re back because of her.”
“Whatever.” I tried to push past him but he grabbed my arm and shook his head slightly.
“Not here.” He closed the door behind him. “We won’t discuss it here.”
Two hours later and I found myself wanting to get so drunk I couldn’t see straight.
“No!” I barked, self consciously tugging at the ends of my hair with my right hand. “I’m not doing it.”
“You are.” Sergio sat down next to me. “Look, I know it was bad but the De Langes have a new leader, a woman… believe me when I say she’s scary as hell but she’s related to us now… married to Chase, the boss’s right hand man. I had to come out of hiding. It’s time for you to come out as well.”
“No.” I clenched my jaw until the irritation eased. “Besides, what would I come out for?”
“Your brother.”
“My brother is dead to me… he sent my best friend into foster care when she had a family… me,” I spat. “Try again.”
Sergio cursed, his Rolex snapping my attention from the whiskey to the light flickering off it. “The money.”
“I have more than enough money.”