“I’m trying to ‘save’ her as much as you tried saving Anya. The young girl was being abused in the worst way. You risked a war with the Polish to get her back from them. Instead, my family took on that war, because it was the right thing to do. Innocent women are being sold. Beaten. Raped. Aurora is just as innocent as Anya was.”

  “Is that what you’re risking for her? Another war?”

  It’s a deadly question. Am I willing to go to war with the Italians—with him—over her? “There’s no one outside of my father and brothers that I respect more than you,” I tell him. “You have treated my sister with respect and protected her from the moment you met. Which is why you should understand better than anyone why I had to get involved.”

  The silence is tense and heavy as Emilio seems to be weighing my words.

  “You’re treading dangerous waters, Jack. I’m not talking with me, either. Do I wish I could take Costa down and make sure no one ever finds his body? Of course, I do. You know how I feel about men using their physical power over women,” he says. “But this isn’t about my personal feelings. This is business. It’s about a wealthy and powerful man who is extremely angry and is not about to let you come in and take away something that belongs to him. Even if that belonging is a woman. She’s his wife. And as despicable as Alessandro Costa is, he can cause a lot of problems. Not just for me, but for you as well. He’s already started, in fact. Problems I now have to figure out how to deal with and still remain loyal to my organization and the men of this family. I took a blood oath that nothing comes before the Brooklyn Kings.”

  Fuck. “What kind of problems? I thought he was M.I.A.?”

  “Yes, well, he’s shown back up. With that, is the story he’s circulating about how he went on a business trip only to return home to discover that his cheating wife took off with her Irish lover,” Emilio says with disgust. “There are already rumblings amongst my soldiers as well as various business associates. Costa is painting himself as the victim in all this.”

  “Why don’t you set them all straight?” I snap. “Tell them he’s an abusive bastard who almost killed her.”

  “I explained this already. As much as it pains me, I do not interfere in the private lives of anyone in my organization, unless they are betraying us to our enemies. It shows a lack of trust. Something I’ve spent the last nearly four years trying to build.”

  Goddamn it. “Just give me some time, Emilio. I’ll figure something out.”

  There’s another pause. “You better. Because you’ve set something in motion that I don’t know I can control.”

  “I understand.”

  The call ends. I stare down at my phone, resisting the urge to throw it across the room. Instead, I set it on the desk and head to the bar on the other side of the office. I pour a finger of the only whiskey in stock and swallow it down in a single move. Then, I pour another and take my seat again, this time sipping it slowly as I try and figure out what the fuck I’m going to do.

  I pick up my phone again and hit the speed dial button. Paddy answers on the first ring.

  “I need you and Nathan to meet back here,” I tell him.

  “When?”

  “Now.”

  “We’re on our way,” he says.

  I sit back in the chair and take another drink while my mind races. Between my brothers and me, we need to figure out a way to take out Alessandro Costa.

  The alarm on the penthouse door disengages. Paddy and Nathan stride through it with determined steps.

  “Have a seat,” I tell them. “I’ll get us all a drink.”

  While they both settle on one of the couches, I pour three generous servings of whiskey and pass them out. I’d rather have this little tête-à-tête in private, but the only other room that fits us is the office, and there’s only one chair. We’re going to be here for a while.

  “I got a call from Emilio,” I say without preamble.

  “How are things between you two?” Paddy asks.

  “For the moment, we’re in an unsteady truce. He doesn’t know how long he’ll be able to maintain it though. Not with Costa having the potential to make life difficult for all of us. From the sounds of it, he’s already becoming an issue.”

  “Feck,” Paddy curses.

  “We need to come up with a plan on how to handle Costa in a way that doesn’t lead back to us or our brother-in-law. Some way that makes it appear he’s betraying the organization,” I tell them with a lowered voice once I’m seated. A quick glance toward the hall confirms it’s still quiet on that side of the penthouse.

  “I seem to be coming in on the tail end of this,” Nathan points out. “Paddy gave me a brief run down on the ride over here. I haven’t met this woman yet, but if she’s important enough to you for all this shit to go down, then you know I’ll do whatever needs to be done.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  Paddy takes a drink. “What if we can arrange for it to look as though Costa is working with the Russians? Or, better yet, the Polish or the Armenians? I know a genius dark web hacker who should be able to doctor accounts and records.”

  “He can do that?”

  “Maddox is a fecking genius. It might take him a few days, but I can guarantee when he’s done, there will be proof of countless transactions. Enough manufactured evidence to give Emilio a reason to take him out permanently. You won’t get to make him bleed, but the end result is still the same,” Paddy points out.

  “Accidents also happen,” Nathan adds. “Paddy mentioned he’s an old fucker. Could have a bad heart. Or made to have one.”

  “But can we guarantee that whatever assistance is given to help him along will actually work?” I ask.

  Nathan tips his head. “Nothing is guaranteed. That’s a loose string that might need to be tied up if we hire out for it.”

  I’d prefer to put the bastard down sooner rather than later, but we might just have to go with making him look like a traitor. If the organization believes he betrayed them, they’ll take care of the problem themselves. While I want to be the one who spills his blood, I’ll take it any way I can get it. I turn to Paddy. “Get in touch with your hacker and see what he can put in motion.”

  I finish off my whiskey and head into the kitchen. Paddy trails behind with his and Nathan’s empty glass in hand. He passes them off to me and turns to lean against the counter while I wash them out.

  “How long did Emilio give you?” he asks. “To put this fucker down?”

  I glance over at him with a serious expression. “Not long enough.”

  Chapter 25

  Aurora

  * * *

  Sleep is something I don’t get enough of. I’m always hyper aware of when Alessandro might show up to my bedroom unannounced. It comes as no surprise that last night is no different. As exhausted as I’d been, I really had hoped that sleep would come. But as I lay here after tossing and turning most of the night, I should have known better. Not even the comfort of the bed or of knowing Jack was nearby made a difference.

  I glance over to the large picture windows filling the wall. It’s a bit disconcerting that no blinds or curtains cover them. The darkened tint keeps most of the sun out, and being tens of stories high, it’s not as though some peeping Tom is going to be able to sneak a look.

  Tired of lying here and avoiding reality, I crawl out from beneath the covers and cross the room to stare down at the river and all the watercraft dotting the water’s surface. The city skyline is stunning. I don’t recall ever seeing it from this high up except for when my mother took me up into the Empire State Building once before she died. It’s a sight I’m not sure I’ll ever get tired of.

  I place my hand on the glass, trying to capture some of the warmth. Instead, I encounter cold against my fingertips. My hot breath fogs up a small section. I breathe harder against it and draw a heart in the condensation left behind. It’s the extent of my artistic talent. I wipe away the design and turn from the view.

  Last night I’d been in a hazy bubble. Bits and pieces of the day seem to be distorted in my memory. Seeing the room in the full light of day brings a new awareness. This is a room Jack slept in at one time. I glance at the bed. Had he slept in that very one? How long ago had he stayed here? Where had he slept last night? There had been other doors in this hallway, but I hadn’t been shown inside. Is there a bedroom on the other side of that wall? Is he, even now, lying in there? I cover my flushed cheeks with my hands. These thoughts need to stop. Nothing good will come of them.

  Instead, I have to start thinking of the future and what I’m going to do. I’m not in a place to entertain what ifs. My stomach gurgles. If I were home, I’d have to wait until lunch to eat. I do my best to tie up my hair and then change out of the tee shirt I wore to bed and into real clothes. After a final glance in the bathroom mirror, I head out into the main living area. Jack sits at the dining room table in front of a laptop. He glances up at my arrival.

  “Good morning,” he greets me.

  “Morning.” I swallow nervously.

  “I had a few groceries delivered, so if you’re hungry there’s some stuff in the fridge and pantry. I was going to make breakfast, but I wasn’t sure what time you’d be up and I didn’t want the food to get cold.”

  “It’s fine, thank you. I meant what I said last night. I have to learn to take care of myself.” I cross the kitchen and take inventory of what’s available.

  There’s juice, bottled water, and milk to drink as well as eggs, bacon, what looks like a package of chicken, and even some hamburger. The crisper is full of fresh produce. The pantry is equally full. I go back to the refrigerator and pull out everything I need for a spinach omelet. Not wanting to bother Jack, I open cabinets and drawers looking for a pan and utensils.

  Every clatter of metal makes me cringe, and I constantly glance over my shoulder. Alessandro wouldn’t hesitate to…complain about all the noise I’m making. The man across the room doesn’t seem to be paying any attention. I quickly finish preparing my breakfast.

  Unless I want to stand here and eat, my only real option is to join Jack at the table. Why am I hesitating? It’s just a meal. I take my plate and the glass of juice I poured and settle into the chair opposite him. It feels safer than sitting beside him. At least it did, until he looks up from his computer and stares at me. His eyes are penetrating. I shift self-consciously in my seat.

  “Is everything okay?” I ask.

  “Did you sleep all right?”

  As if I’d tell him otherwise. “Yes, thank you. The bed is really comfortable.”

  “That’s good,” Jack replies.

  I glance down at my plate and shovel a fork full of omelet into my mouth before washing it down with orange juice. If ever there were so much awkwardness between two people, surely this has to be it. I’m fearful of saying—doing—the wrong thing.

  “You know when I met you on that balcony I certainly hadn’t expected us to be living together at some point in time,” Jack says almost nonchalantly. “Especially after you nearly unmanned me.”

  I jerk my gaze up to meet his. He has a wry grin on his face. “Perhaps that wasn’t one of my finest moments,” I admit with a small smile of my own and hope I’m not making a mistake with being so honest. “But you were getting a little handsy for someone who’d only just met me.”

  “What can I say? The temptation had been too much to resist. And for the record, it was totally worth it. Although, I was a little disappointed you disappeared without a trace. I spent the rest of the afternoon looking for you.”

  “You did?”

  “Of course I did,” he says incredulously, like he can’t believe I even asked. “I wanted to get to know that feisty woman a little better.”

  My cheeks flush. Does he really mean that? Would my life have turned out differently if I hadn’t run away? There’s no point in wondering, because it doesn’t change anything.

  “How come you don’t live here?” I ask to change the subject, but then hold up my hand. “Never mind. It’s none of my business.”

  “It’s all right. You can ask me anything you want,” he says. “I used to. For a short time anyway. Not long after, though, Paddy suggested he, Nathan, and I move into our brownstone. It’s three stories, so we each have our own floor for privacy. I kept this place in case I ever decided I needed my own space again. I’ve just had a maid come in and keep it clean.”

  “You and your brothers seem close. I bet it’s nice to have them around.”

  “Mostly. We’re all so different, though, that it makes living together a challenge sometimes.”

  Still, at least he has them. I go back to eating, entirely too aware of the man across from me. More than once I’m tempted to glance over at him, but I control myself. Or at least I try to. Against my will, I raise my eyes and they collide with Jack’s blue ones.

  Look away.

  Except I can’t. It’s as though he’s hypnotized me. Drawn me into his web. Captured me with his gaze. I should be trying to escape it, but he keeps me pulled in. A jolt from an electric current makes the hair rise on my arms. The sizzle courses through me and settles with a warm heat directly in my lower belly. My brain screams danger. Other parts of me call out for more.

  The rational, smart side wins. I blink away the hold he has and shift my attention back to my food, quickly finishing my meal and rising to clean up. Except Jack doesn’t let me escape quite so easily.

  “I know you are perfectly capable of doing this yourself, but while you have the cast on your arm, why don’t you let me take care of the dishes,” he says, taking the plate and glass right out of my hands.

  His skin is warm against mine. That spark ignites again. I take a quick step back. Jack cocks his head. His lips twitch, like he’s holding back a satisfied grin at unnerving me.

  “Fine, but if you’re not going to let me do that, then I’m going to need something else to keep me busy,” I say a bit smartly, then bite my tongue. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound—“

  “Do not apologize,” Jack says sharply. “I want you to remove the word sorry from your vocabulary when speaking to me. I don’t want you to censor yourself, Aurora. Say what you’re going to say and mean it. No one, especially me, is going to hurt you.”

  My chest hurts at that. “I’ll do my best. I’m not going to unlearn conditioning overnight, though.”

  Jack nods. “I don’t expect you to. Hopefully, the more you speak your mind, the easier it will get. Now, why don’t you have a seat while I do these dishes?”

  I hesitate for a second and then return to the table. Far too quickly, he finishes and joins me again. The silence grows uncomfortable. It’s like I’ve forgotten how to talk to someone. Or maybe it’s just Jack. His presence makes me nervous.

  “Is there anything I can do while I’m here?” I blurt out, unable to take the quiet anymore.

  Jack raises his head from the laptop, puzzled. “What do you mean?”

  What do I mean? The question had just slipped out. Something for me to say to fill the nothingness that had settled around us. It reminded me far too much of all the times I had to keep my mouth shut while Alessandro worked from his office. I don’t want to be quiet anymore.

  “I’m not sure. Anything to keep me occupied, I guess. Not that I don’t appreciate being here,” I rush to say. “I just want to earn my keep. Or do something productive.”

  “You don’t have to do anything to ‘earn your keep’. I hope you know that,” Jack tells me.

  Frustration builds, because I can’t say exactly what I mean without sounding like I’m ungrateful or unhappy. “I just need something to keep my mind off things.”

  “What would you like to do?” Jack asks with what seems like genuine curiosity.

  “I don’t know.” I’m starting to get angry. Not at him. At myself. At life. “Do you have any idea what it’s like being a woman in the syndicate? We’re only good for one thing. Marriage. We’re taught to be wives. Then, we’re bartered or sold like property and are expected to be grateful for it. God forbid we should want to actually do something with our lives. Because they’re not our own. They’re our father’s. Our brother’s. Our husband’s. But never ours.”

  I’m nearly shouting by the time I finish my torrent. My mouth snaps shut. Oh, god. What was I thinking? This is why I should stay quiet.

  Jack closes the laptop. I drop my hands to my lap and clench my fingers tightly together.

  “Brenna said something similar to me recently,” he muses. “About how women are married off with no say. Their husbands could be complete pieces of shit like Alessandro. On the other hand, they could be honorable men like Emilio. You don’t know what you’re getting until the ink dries on the marriage certificate.”

  My tense body starts to relax since Jack hasn’t made a move toward me or raised his voice in anger.

  “Do you know Francesca has started working with the trafficked women we rescue from the Polish?”

  I blink at the random change in subject and shake my head.

  Jack nods. “She opened some type of rehabilitation house. There are counselors for the women to talk to. I believe there is also a work program and a trade school.”

  My eyes widen at this information. I’d had no idea. “That’s incredible.”

  “Pierce’s soon-to-be sister-in-law, Anya, lives there,” he says.

  If a conversation I overheard in Alessandro’s office one time is to be believed, she’s the girl Emilio and Pierce rescued from the Polish after the Russian’s sold her to them. There had been a lot of hush hush about the fact they paid a lot of money for her return. Emilio had also struck a truce with the Polish as part of the deal.

  A small spark of an idea begins inside my head. “Would Francesca be willing to let me help, do you think?”

  “I don’t see why not.” Jack shrugs.

  My heart rate speeds up. He hadn’t shot down my suggestion. “I have no idea what I can contribute, but surely there has to be something. I want to help in some way.”