“We can’t have a divorce, you know that, Alonzo.”
“I found out that Benedict was making deals with the Russians. He wanted in on their human trafficking. To bring men, women, and children, here, to use them. To sell them.”
“Oh.”
“It was a deal that wasn’t accepted by any of us. None of the families would agree going into business with the Russians.”
“They wouldn’t?”
“No. We won’t even work with the cartels, Jess. We’re not going to work with Russians like that. It’s not going to happen, so he’s out. His father is pissed off.”
“What about Caesar? He’s a boy.”
“He’s your son, Jess. I wouldn’t take him away from you. If you want him to live with Benedict, that is up to you.”
“Are you going to marry me off anytime soon?” she asked. “Is this another part of a family expansion? Adesso wasn’t good enough.”
“You’ve got no reason to trust me.”
“She came back, Alonzo. With a damn lamp, she came back for me. You didn’t.”
He’d had to make sure Caesar was safe before he followed Tessa. He was pissed that she’d gotten here before he had. How she stood over Jessica, she looked like a damn queen. He’d never seen her look so fierce. She was a force to be reckoned with.
“There are no excuses for my behavior. I’m only grateful that she got here in time before he did any real damage.” He cupped his sister’s face, careful not to be too hard to hurt her bruises. Seeing the damage that bastard had done to her pissed him off even more. Benedict wasn’t finished receiving his punishment. The rules be damned. No woman deserved this kind of treatment and certainly not his sister, under his own roof.
“You care about her, don’t you?” Jessica asked.
“I do. She means a great deal to me.”
“She’s not suited to this way of life, Alonzo. If you have any care at all, you’d let her go.”
“Not going to happen.”
“You’re going to make her stay here?”
“I’m the only one that can make her happy.”
“And what if the price of that happiness is her pain? Would you do that to her?”
He gritted his teeth, hating that his sister spoke … logically. “I’m not a good man. I know what I want.”
“And to hell with everything else?”
“Be careful, Jessica.”
“Do you even love her, or is it about claiming her innocence? Don’t think I don’t know what game you’re playing. Benedict told me to men it’s about the chase. About owning something you never had before.”
“Don’t listen to that asshole. He doesn’t have the first clue what is going on here.”
“And you do?”
“I know more than you think.”
She scoffed. “Yeah, right.”
“I’m not going to sit here arguing with you. Jessica, I love you. Words are not going to make up for the fact I wasn’t here to protect you. I’ll do everything I can from this day forward to keep you safe. That is my vow to you.” He leaned forward and kissed her head, being gentle as always.
Getting to his feet, he left her quarters. He didn’t want to hear what that piece of shit, Benedict had to say.
He didn’t answer to anyone.
Not his father, who was very much dead.
His mother had run off when she couldn’t take over everyone’s life. She really had thought for a short time that she’d lead the Zanetti family. No woman had ever led this family, and no woman ever would.
It wasn’t just about being sexist. A woman would be killed in less than a day. Their world didn’t handle women leaders well. He’d seen some die in his time, and it was never pretty.
He made his way to the nursery where Tessa still was.
Again, no sign of Michele. That bitch didn’t do anything unless it was to benefit her, and he was growing tired of all of her fucking games. He’d have her fired.
He stood outside the nursery. The guard was there, but all of them knew not to look at Tessa. Not to do anything for her unless she asked for it, and certainly not to get any ideas in thinking they had a chance with her.
Caesar was in his bed fast asleep while Tessa was curled up in her chair. It looked like she was crying. Entering the room, she turned to look at him with a gasp.
“I’m not here to argue with you or cause you any pain,” he said.
“You’ll wake him up.”
“Then come with me.”
She shook her head.
“Then I guess I’ll wake him up. Either way, you’re not escaping me.”
“Why do you have to be so difficult? I can’t just leave him.”
He rolled his eyes and stepped out of the room, seeing the guard on duty. “Keep an eye on this little guy. If he wakes up, find his other nanny before I fire her ass. She gives you any problem at all, tell her I’m going to fire her.” Which he would be doing regardless.