He’s got a point. It was a mistake to talk about the attack so freely in front of her—now she knows too much. I can’t just let her go, at least not without a high-level of security on her at all times to be sure she doesn’t go to the police. It’s going to be expensive, but I’d spend all the money in the world to keep Ty safe.
“Depends.”
“On?” Dante presses.
“On whatever I fucking decide, Dante.”
Why can’t he just let this go? I don’t pay him for his opinions or expertise—that’s Joe’s department. Dante is only here because he’s six-foot-eight, two hundred eighty pounds of pure muscle with a temper that could rival the hulk. And because, as much as he irritates me, he’s one of my best friends.
Dante, Joe, and I grew up together. When I took over the business for my father, it was an obvious choice to bring them with me. Honestly, I’m not giving Dante enough credit. He’s one of the most feared and lethal enforcers in the entire Cosa Nostra, and I’m lucky he’s on my team.
He’s probably only pressing me because he knows whatever happens to Madison will fall on him.
I walk over to the couch, kneeling next to Ty. While they were at the hospital, Dante and I moved Ty to my house, where I knew he’d be the most comfortable. He’s nestled on the couch underneath a blanket his grandmother made for him, peaceful and sleeping for the time being. There’s a bit of blood on his chin, and I wipe it away with my thumb as my chest tightens.
I swore nothing like this would ever happen to him. I can only imagine what Talia would say if she was here, and none of it would be good.
When we first got married, Talia understood what our marriage meant, and she was content with the life I could give her. It wasn’t until after Ty was born that things shifted. She wanted out, and she begged me for years to let all of this go, to take them far away from the danger and violence. It wasn’t that simple, though.
You don’t just leave something like the Mafia, especially when you’re at the helm of the entire organization. It would have been even more dangerous for us to be out on our own, alone andunprotected. Here, at least we have an army of men willing to die to protect us and keep us safe.
Something changed inside of me the day Ty was born, too. I held him in my arms, and suddenly, everything became about protecting him and giving him the best life possible. I fully believed that meant staying here, and I still do, but I’ll be damned if there isn’t the slightest piece of me that still wonders where we would have ended up. What I’d be doing now. If Talia would still be alive.
It’s a fleeting thought, though. I’m good at this shit. I’ve been in charge for six years, and have already nearly tripled our profits and production. The problem is, the better you are at this job, the more danger you attract. Everyone wants a piece of you. Everyone’s gunning for you.
And yet, I still wholeheartedly believe that Ty is safest here. I just need to find some way to fix the current situation.
Fixing things usually comes easy to me, but the only way I know how to fix this is to use more violence. I’m all Ty has left now, and putting myself in danger isn’t a wise choice. Once I know he’s healthy and safe, I can start working on a plan of revenge. For both him and his mother.
“You moved him?” I didn’t even hear them come inside, but Madison is already yelling at me.Jesus Christ.
“Yeah. You mentioned more than once that the warehouse wasn’t up to your hygiene standards, so I figured you’d want something a little nicer.” I stand, turning to face her tiny frame. She has to tilt her head up to make eye contact with me, and when she does, she looks at me like I’m an absolute idiot.
“You could have ruptured the drain by jostling him around like that,” she snaps. “He could have bled out and this all would have been for nothing.”
I stiffen. Even if she is right, I don’t like the way she’s speaking to me. “Well, if the drain came out, wouldn’t that mean that you placed it wrong?”
“Actually, no—” She crosses her arms over her chest, a pointed scowl that surprises me. Going toe to toe with a crime boss isn’t for the faint of heart, and she’s got to know what’s going on by now.
“Enough,” Joe hisses. “He’s here now, so let’s just do what we have to do.”
Madison doesn’t move and neither do I. I’m not quite ready to let it go, but Ty’s voice draws us both back to reality.
“Daddy?” He’s hoarse and disoriented, but the sound is music to my ears. He has enough strength to speak, and that’s a good sign.
“I’m right here, buddy.” I kneel next to him, taking his little hand in mine. My voice breaks, the emotion of the day finally catching up to me. “How are you feeling?”
“My chest hurts.” His tiny features twist into a frown as tears bubble in his eyes. His breathing is a little labored, but he gets more and more alert, a bit of color coming back to his cheeks.
“I bet it does. I can help with that.” Madison smiles brightly, sitting next to Ty on the couch. “My name is Maddie and I’m a doctor. It’s my job to help you feel better. Is it okay if I take a look at you?”
Ty nods, and I ease back, giving her a bit of space to work.
“You were at the park.” Ty recognizes her.
“That’s right. I was,” Madison says as she gets her supplies together. “I’m impressed that you remember that. You were really brave back there. I definitely would have cried.”
“Crying is for babies. That’s what Daddy says.”
