Page 98 of War Within
My heart sank, hoping she did not run off with him now that he was back from the dead.
I can't discuss my private life with you anymore, Jane.
Anymore?!She raised her voice.
“Dad, what’s going on?” Valentina crept up, whispering.
“Go upstairs now.” I hissed. “Text Emir.”
Valentina knew when I was serious. She never questioned me when I used mybusiness tone, as she called it. She scampered down the hall without protest, disappearing upstairs. I hoped Xavier did not hear either of us.
It seems you never told me anything to begin with, Zay!
Now you're one to talk, aren't you?He chuckled.So, how do you know each other anyway?
I stepped through the doorway, unable to place her in possible danger any longer. The risk was too great. Emilio rounded the corner, following me. Sauntering to the other side of the room, he leaned on the wall, folding his arms over his chest, darting his eyes back and forth between Jane and Xavier.
“We're dating.” I tugged Jane into my side, wrapping my arm around her.
She averted her gaze.
“I see.” Xavier lifted a hand, tapping his lips with his finger. “Well, this has been fun, but I need to go.”
“Oh, hell no!” Jane snapped, shrugging me off her small frame. “You're not going anywhere until you explain!”
“Yeah, uh” he chuckled, “that's a negative, doll face.”
“I cried for you a lot!”
The corners of his lips twisted into a menacing grin. “You moved on just fine.” He turned his attention on me. “Giovanni, it's been a pleasure and I’ll be in touch. Also, be careful who you trust.” He glanced at Jane, smirking. “Things are not always what they seem, are they, J-bell?”
“Jane, leave us for a moment.” I growled. “I want a word with him.”
Instantly, she sprinted out of the room. Emilio waltzed over, closing the door, folding his arms. Xavier rolled his eyes.
“What the fuck was that about?” I sped around my desk, towering over his five foot-ten inch, athletic frame. “Understand what you have done by starting shit with my girlfriend.”
“I suggest you call your dog away from the door and let me leave.” He spun to Emilio. “I would hate for your people to find out some of the shit you keep from them.”
Emilio lunged forward, ready to fight to the death. He started shouting in Russian, but I did not understand a word he said.
Xavier only laughed.
“Emil!” I hurled my palm out. “Stand down!”
Lily had been pacing the bedroom since Giovanni accompanied Jane downstairs to speak to Xavier. She was restless, angry, and wanting to go kick Xavier’s ass. I suggested maybe she should try to work on some new designs. She had been doing that in her spare time, but she was not interested tonight. She only roamed the room, complaining about how much he hurt Jane.
A part of me wondered if Jane was in on whatever game Xavier was playing. I did not trust him or Jane and knowing they were in a serious relationship heightened my suspicions more. Unfortunately, Giovanni wanted facts. He needed proof for allegations before he acted. It was a part of what made him such a great Don. He only accepted truths.
I had investigated Jane a bit already. She was clean, or so I thought. Little did I know, something evil was about to come to a head, heaving itself right through the center of the family.
“Ugh!” Lily threw herself back on the bed dramatically. “It’s taking them forever.”
“Why did you want to speak to him?” I strode to the bed, sitting next to her.
“She's my best friend. I've been through everything with her since we were little. She's like a sister to me.” Suddenly, she shot up off the bed, spinning around, tossing her arms out. “And what is this? What business would Giovanni have with Xavier even if he were still a cop?”
Standing, I ignored her question. I reached over to the bench at the end of the bed, grabbing her jacket. “Do you want to get out of here?”
