18. Choking the Chicken #2
It's my turn to sit back in my chair. “It seems I’m not the only one giving hints of the old us. But it’s too late for that.
My private investigator found out that as of last night, Enzo Caruso has talked about a trip across the country.
Our best guess is he’s coming here, which means we have a whole new set of problems.”
The blood drains from her face. “Are you sure?”
“I’m very sure. My PI is now besties with Enzo’s bartender who can’t keep his mouth shut.
This means shit got real fast, and you just confirmed you’re keeping something from me.
You passed out last night before you told me everything.
It makes no sense why he wouldn’t follow through on his threats. ”
She pushes her chair back and stands. “I need to go. If Enzo is on his way here, it will take him two seconds to find out where I live. Grandma and Blake ... I need to warn them and get them out of there.”
I catch her arm and pull her to me. “I called Dean. He knows what’s going on and has his guys driving by Alice’s house regularly. You really must think I turned into a dirtbag if you think I’d let anything happen to your family.”
Her blue eyes angle up to me in a panic. “I’ll die a thousand deaths or marry into the Mafia if that’s what it takes. But nothing can happen to them ... or you.”
I pull her to me because I can’t not touch her again after last night, and I’m afraid she really will run out on me. Her hands land on my pecs, and we’re fused from her tits to thighs.
I’m all in. Hell, I’d be all in if she didn’t have the Mafia on her ass.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
Ruby pulls her lip between her teeth as tears well in her eyes again. Just like last night and every other time that’s happened, it’s a knife in my gut.
“Tell me,” I demand. “I have the resources to help you and keep you safe. Alice and Blake too. You know I’d never allow anything to happen to them.”
A single tear runs down her cheek, and she nods. She knows she’s at the end of her rope. Her options are me or me.
“Enzo’s older brother, Collin, was murdered,” she whispers.
“It happened while I was still working there. It was barely mentioned in the news. I guess the family paid to keep it quiet. But it was all the talk of the bar and the local borough. He was shot in the back room of the bar where they hosted high-stakes games.”
I narrow my eyes. “What does that have to do with you?”
She doesn’t answer my question, but she does keep talking.
“It happened after closing and everyone was gone. I was halfway home when I realized I forgot my tips. The back door that the employees used was still unlocked, so I went in. I heard Collin and Enzo fighting. I almost turned around and left. I should have, but I needed those tips. I thought I could slip past them, get my money, and get out. I almost did.”
I hold onto her tighter. “What happened?”
Her voice lowers to a whisper. “Collin said something about how he knew what Enzo did, and when their father found out, Enzo would be cut out. That’s when I heard a gunshot.”
My frown deepens. “Enzo killed his brother?”
She nods. “I screamed. I couldn’t help it, but there was no escaping.
Enzo heard and found me. I thought he was going to kill me too.
He was crazed. I knew he was unhinged, but not like that.
Everyone said his family thought he was a joke.
I have no idea what he and Collin were fighting about to begin with, but I begged him not to kill me. I told him I would do anything.”
“Anything?”
She nods. “He said he was next in line to take over the family. That he needed a wife and sons, and if I didn’t want to die, I’d have to give that to him.
I said yes. I just wanted to get out of there.
Then he said he’d make sure I lived up to my end of the bargain.
I didn’t know what that meant, but I soon found out.
I swore I’d never go back and tried to get a job at another bar, but that’s when I realized Enzo had me followed, killed the bar owner, and framed me for it.
He said it made us even, that we both had something on each other. ”
I slide one hand into her hair and press into the small of her back with the other. I can’t hold her close enough as she retells the hell Caruso put her through. “Enzo framed you so you wouldn’t tell anyone he killed his brother.”
“He’s crazy, Payne. Who knows what he’ll do?”
I pull in a deep breath. “Have you told me everything?”
“Yes.”
“I wish you would’ve told me everything last night, but at least I know what I’m dealing with now. I’ll let Dean know what’s going on and make sure Alice and Blake are safe. Then I need to call my private investigator.”
Her expression becomes hesitant. “I’m sorry.”
“What are you sorry about?”
“For dragging you into this. The only person who knows about this is Grandma.”
“You told Alice but didn’t want to involve me?”
She shrugs. “We weren’t exactly on speaking terms. Did you expect me to call you up after twelve years when I knew you hated me and ask for help with the mob?”
When she puts it that way, I almost remember why I hated her.
Almost.
I wind her hair around my hand and ignore her comment about me hating her. I can’t think about that right now. “Let’s get the Mafia off your ass before we delve into the past. More than anything, I need you to make me a promise.”
She swipes at the tears on her cheek. “What?”
My fingertips press into her skin. “Don’t leave. I’ll use every resource I have to make Enzo Caruso go away, but you have to promise me you won’t leave. No more running from me. Got it?”
She mulls my demand over in that beautiful head of hers.
She sighs and gives in. “Okay. I won’t run.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
I lick my lips and wish I could ignore the twelve years that separated us forever, but I know that’s not possible. But for the time being, I can set it aside knowing we’ll deal with it soon.
“Good. As long as you don’t run, I’ll unfuck your life. We’ll figure the rest out later.”