Lucien (The Marchesi Family 1)

Peter nodded. “I know. I understand that you have to be harsh so no one else tries to take what you have.”

“That’s right.”

“I really don’t belong in this world. I don’t know if I can—”

“Yes, you do. You belong with me, and you’re braver than you think you are, Peter. You came out with me tonight, knowing someone planned to attack the restaurant.”

“I didn’t have a choice.”

I raised my brows, holding his gaze. “Didn’t you?”

“You told me you wanted me there.”

“And what do you think I would’ve done if you’d refused?”

“Punish me.”

“True, but have any of the punishments you’ve received truly hurt you?”

He shook his head. “No.”

“Remember that. I’m glad you came with me tonight, especially since there was an attack on the house, but I’m also glad because I had a lovely evening with you. Things are going to get ugly now, and I can’t let you go because the only way I can be certain you’re safe is if you’re right here with me.”

“O-okay.”

His voice shook, but his hands came to rest on my waist. I kissed his forehead and then led him into the building, wondering if he would ever look at me the same after that night.

“Stay by Peter’s side,” I said to Angelo when we met up with him just inside the door. “There’s no need for him to watch or listen, but I won’t risk him staying out in the car.”

Peter’s wide-eyed look made my chest tighten, but I had no choice. I was going to make an example of some of these men. Devil was already there. I didn’t know what he had said to them, but all six of the men who were tied to chairs at the far end of the warehouse either wore looks of fear or anger. A few of them were struggling against their bonds. Considering Devil and I, as well as the other men who were there guarding them, had guns, I wasn’t sure what they thought would happen if they broke free. Did they know how much Devil would relish chasing them down? If he had his way, he’d free them all and gun them down as they ran. My style was a lot more controlled.

I recognized two of the men—one was the bearded man who’d interrupted us at the restaurant and another was one of Ricci’s enforcers. The rest looked like a ragtag bunch with no more sense than Jimmy. I had to admit I was glad he wasn’t among those here tonight. I didn’t want to kill or torture him in front of Peter.

It was clear Devil and the other men had roughed them up when they’d caught them. Each man had various cuts and bruises on his face and one man’s foot hung at a funny angle.

“Learn anything interesting?” I asked my cousin.

“Nothing yet.”

I glanced at each man, waiting until they looked me in the eye. Then I spoke to them all. “The Marchesis control this territory. Anyone else that has business here has to go through me. When they don’t, there’s trouble. I’m a reasonable man. I don’t like to start trouble, but if you start it with me, things are going to get rough. Your jackass of a boss couldn’t take down my grandma, much less me. He’s sticking his nose in places it doesn’t belong. And now I’m going to have to take time away from my busy schedule to deal with that. That does not make me happy. And when I get unhappy, I get mean.”

Devil nodded. “He does.”

“So before I bring down some justice, does anybody have anything they want to tell me?”

Nobody spoke. I hadn’t expected them to.

I glanced at Devil. Fortunately, we’d worked together long enough that we didn’t need words to communicate. I tilted my head toward the men I recognized. Devil grinned at me, and I was sure he got the message. It worried me how easily he killed, but tonight, like so many other times, I was also grateful for it.

We lifted our weapons at the same time and put bullets through the heads of the two enforcers. They slumped in their chairs, and the bearded man’s weight caused his to tip and crash to the ground. Neither of them moved again.

I surveyed the remaining men. “Unless you want to join your associates in hell, you’re going to go back to your boss and tell him what happened tonight. You’re also going to give him a message from me. Tell him I’m coming for him. He’s crossed a line, and his life is forfeit. At this point, he can still save some members of his family, his wife, his kids, his nieces and nephews. The way to do that is to end this war he’s started. Now.”

I heard a door creek behind me. I whirled around, ready to shoot anyone who dared intrude. But instead of someone entering I saw Angelo rush out behind Peter. Was Peter so horrified he was trying to run?