Family Ties (Morelli Family 4)

“What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?”

“The worst thing I’ve ever done?” He pauses to think about it, looking off at a spot beyond my head. “I killed a guy in front of his dog once. The dog went over and pawed at his chest to try to wake him up, and then he just laid there and whined. I’ve never felt like more of an asshole in my life.”

“Aw, poor dog,” I say, swatting him in the stomach. “Did you leave him there?”

“No, I couldn’t. I took him home with me. He was old though, died a year later.”

“That’s sad.”

“It is. I felt bad.”

I lean over and give him a kiss. “I still love you though.”

Smirking lightly, he said, “I thought you might. No offense, but the family you grew up in, the brothers you have—you’ve seen worse.”

I shrug. “I don’t see much of it first-hand, but yeah.”

“What about you? What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?”

“Definitely this,” I say, without hesitation. “Setting Meg up like this and messing with Mateo’s head. Totally betraying what little trust he afforded me. This is the worst thing I’ve ever done, hands-down.”

He sighs, his hold on my waist tightening as he pulls me closer. “I’m sorry I made you do all that.”

“You didn’t make me do it. I wanted you enough, so I made the hard choice. I could’ve sold you out instead. I could’ve led Mateo or Adrian straight to your door.”

“That’s true,” he acknowledges with a little nod. “Did you ever think about it?”

“Of course not,” I say, lightly shoving his shoulder.

“I won’t be mad; you can tell me if you did.”

“I didn’t consider it.” I pause, then add, “I did experience a bout of cold feet my last night at home, though. It wasn’t because I doubted wanting to be with you, it was just… fear of change, I guess. Especially change on this level. Something so permanent, so impossible to take back if it turned out to be a mistake. I’m sure you had doubts of your own.”

I expect him to play it off, deal me some of his signature charm. But he’s sincere, reaching out to brush a lock of hair behind my ear, his gray eyes somber. “Not a single one.”

Well, that makes me feel like an asshole.

“Not even the last couple hours?” I ask lightly.

He rolls his eyes, like that’s a ridiculous suggestion. “Of course not. We had a fight. Couples fight.”

“Is that what Ethan told you?” I tease.

“Believe it or not, I worked that one out on my own.”

“You’re so smart.”

“I’m a regular relationship expert.”

I offer a smile, leaning in almost close enough to kiss him, but just lingering near his lips. “I’m a lucky woman.”

“Damn straight,” he says, before grabbing me and closing the distance.

Part

Three

Chapter Thirty One

Francesca

I always figured Adrian would find us.

It didn’t matter that we were well-hidden, that Sal’s connection to Ethan is tenuous at best, that their sort-of friendship is pretty much off-the-radar, given Ethan himself is pretty off-the-radar. Adrian is good at what he does, and what he can’t get done himself, he gets through other people. I just didn’t think Ethan would be the one to lead Adrian here, and when I see them get out of the car together, I almost have a heart attack.

Sal sits on the edge of the bed, solemn, but not surprised. I don’t know what to think. Is he just accepting the end? Adrian isn’t a man you want to take on, and I can only envision a violent end, but when I drop to the ground and drag the case housing Sal’s gun out from under our bed, he doesn’t even move to take it from me.

“Put it back,” he says, easily.

My brown eyes go wide. “What are you doing? You have to do something.”

“All we do now is wait,” he states.

I shake my head, refusing to accept that he’s lost. Even if I always suspected he might, I refuse to allow it now. “Adrian is a reasonable man. I can talk to him. I’ll talk to him,” I decide, pushing up off the ground and making my way toward the door.

That finally gets Sal moving. He crosses the room, catching my wrist as I reach for the knob. He takes my hand and gently eases me away from the door. “It’s over, Francesca. We’re not hiding anymore. I told Ethan to bring Adrian here.”

“Why?”

“Because we can’t hide forever. The longer this goes on, the harder it’ll be to resolve without pissing everybody off. He’s not here to hurt us.”

I don’t understand, but I don’t have long to wonder. Not a minute later, Ethan comes into our bedroom to get a gun from Sal. He doesn’t get his gun out from under the bed. He goes over to the dresser and pulls open the bottom drawer, drawing out a gun with a silencer screwed onto the end.