Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 99413 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99413 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
I would have done the same for my family. Their safety and happiness are my priority. After Sammy’s meltdown earlier, I wasn’t leaving this property without coming down here to get a few things straight.
Misha shrugs his shoulders as if I haven’t said a word. I ball my fists, ready to clobber him. This isn’t just about him.
“Cut the shit, Misha,” I growl.
My little brother was hurt because of that bitch. Jamie was the real fucking target. For that reason alone, Misha is losing me here. That girl didn’t deserve what she got.
Yes, Jamie may have learned a lesson, but it’s a lesson he didn’t deserve either. I wish I could turn back time. I’d do anything to protect him from that hurt.
“Da, I have plan, but you wait to hear. Not time.”
“Are ya fucking kidding me? He’s fucking with me, right?” I seethe as I look to Uri and LaSalle.
“Net, I have never been more serious. I will draw her out when it is time. Not now.”
“Ach, ya mean, ya will wait for her to send someone else to their death. Maybe it won’t be a girlfriend this time. Your wife, maybe mine. Is that what yer waiting for?”
“She was not his wife. She betrayed him,” he bellows, losing his calm.
“You know that’s bullshit.”
“Net, not bullshit. Truth. We protect our wives.”
I growl at him, ready to lunge.
He continues as if I haven’t made a sound. “Was she even girlfriend? Is brother not happy now? Net, I tell you not time.”
“Fuck you, Misha,” I hiss.
He sighs and runs his hands through his hair. “I don’t do this to disrespect or hurt you, my friend. In time, you will understand. Everyone will understand, including my wife.
“For now, you all give me headache. Leave this alone. I handle,” he says and turns to leave.
To keep my head from exploding, I roar as he leaves the room. LaSalle follows after Misha and Uri comes to place a hand on my shoulder. I look at him unseeing as rage boils inside me.
“She will be handled, mate. In time, she will be dealt with.”
“Before or after she hurts another member of my family?” I shrug his hand off and storm out.
CHAPTER 15
Do Our Part
Val
I sit at the foot of the bed, rubbing lotion into my skin as I’m once again lost in thought. I can’t stop thinking about Roni’s question about Sammy’s friends. As I try to think of which of the other kids he allows to hang around him, other than Jordan’s little cousins, I come up empty.
The two of them and Jordan are always getting into trouble together when she’s around. From time to time, I’ve seen him with the Black cousins, but Jordan is the only one I can say is a friend of his.
Their boys tend to hang together in their own little clique, their girls are the same. I haven’t noticed Sammy around his own cousins much. Not for long. As this all sets in, I have to ask myself a real question.
Do I really want this life for my sons? Sammy can see his enemies coming for him. My boys can’t. Uri and I can teach them all we know, but do I really want that?
There is a harsh reality to being a Donati. We stand on the front lines. Weakness isn’t something we can afford.
“What are you thinking so hard about?” Uri asks as he comes from the bathroom with a towel around his waist.
I look up and blink my thoughts away. As I focus, I take my husband in. At forty-five, Uri is still fine as fuck.
He’s keeping up with me to this day. At thirty-two, I have thought of asking for one more baby. I love our four, but they’re all growing up so fast.
I shake my head clear. “Do you ever question our sons following in your footsteps?”
“Depends on if you mean as hitters or as don.”
I groan. “That’s worse than what I was thinking.”
“What are you thinking?”
“I don’t know. Sammy already has a lot on his plate. He can see what’s coming and we’ll all prepare him. What about Inzo and Nori? We can prepare them all we want, but we don’t know who will come for them.
“We’re placing targets on their backs. This doesn’t concern you?”
He stands before me then dips his head to kiss my forehead. The gesture is calming as he pours his love into it.
“Bella, I watched my father’s life be cut short in front of me. You watched the same with your mother and sister. Do you truly believe I haven’t already begun to prepare our sons and daughters for whatever may come?”
I gasp. “Are you serious?”
“Okay, not Eva yet, of course, but the others are already learning. Like Sammy, they too will be ready. Concern?” He scoffs. “I do not think anyone in their right mind would see those targets and aim for them. If our boys chose to walk away, I will allow it, but if they want to fill my shoes, they will be more than ready.”