By Virtue I Fall (Sins of the Fathers 3)

He nodded. “She’ll do anything to prevent that scandal.”

“But she doesn’t strike me as a woman who holds enough power over her husband to talk him out of plotting revenge.”

“She isn’t, but I’ll try my luck.”

“If she can’t convince Maximo we can still blackmail him with the photos. He can’t risk a divorce at this point in his career, especially one following such a scandal.”

“You’re as cunning as you are gorgeous.”

“And you’re prone to causing scandals.”

“As are you, cherie.” He shrugged, then pulled me against him and kissed me again. “Let me talk to Dolora now.”

Enzo excused himself, obviously uncomfortable with Santino’s display of affection. My cheeks heated. I cleared my throat.

“Don’t let me stop you. If my dad thinks the plan is worth pursuing, then we should give it a try.”

“You aren’t jealous, right?”

I made a face. “Please. You can either play in the Champions League, or in the village cup.”

“Life in Europe left its scars. I won’t ever get used to your soccer references, and I’m not entirely sure they are accurate.”

He glanced at his watch. “I need to head to the country club where Dolora spends most of her afternoons now.”

“You want to drive yourself?”

He kissed me again. “I’m a big boy, Anna.”

“At least take your dad with you.” I still hated that Santino had banged Clifford’s mom but at least it could now save our asses. Who would have ever thought Santino’s homewrecking ways would ever be so useful?

Dolora left the country club. All of the Clarks were members, of course. It was an hour after her usual departure time and I’d almost run out of patience. Not to mention that my wounds hurt like a bitch and I hadn’t taken nearly enough painkillers. I parked in my car right at the curb in the hopes to catch her attention. Her eyes registered my car then me and she quickly looked around in worry. I rolled down the window and leaned out. “We need to talk.”

She rushed toward me and almost jumped in. “You can’t just come here. If someone sees us together, there’s hell to pay. I had to hide in the restrooms because of you.”

I started the car and drove us to the parking lot of a nearby Starbucks. “How did I do that?”

“You caused a scandal and now everyone’s talking behind my back. I can’t even show my face in the club without people giving me condescending smiles. I simply couldn’t bear it anymore.”

“I suppose then you wouldn’t want to have another scandal on your hand.”

She froze. “What are you talking about?”

“I need you to convince your husband to keep his connections to the Outfit, and talk him out of any revenge plots he might be dreaming up right now.”

“I can’t do that.”

I showed her the photos of us on my phone. Her blue eyes widened. “I’ll be ruined if this comes out. Maximo won’t forgive me if I ruin his career with something like that.”

It was kind of fitting that he’d worry more about his career than his marriage. I suppose that ship had sailed a long time ago.

“Then talk to him and make him see reason.”

“That’s blackmail.”

“You got in bed with a mobster, Dolora.”

She pursed her lips. “Maximo doesn’t listen to me. I won’t be able to convince him.”

“Try your best.”

She gave me a pleading look but I simply stared back. She closed her eyes, then nodded.

Two days later, she called to tell me that her husband wouldn’t listen. That meant we had to convince him ourselves.

Dante, Leonas, and I waited in an Outfit restaurant for the Clarks to arrive. With a minute to spare, Maximo, Clifford, and Dolora entered the restaurant. Their bodyguards stayed outside on their orders. They obviously wanted fewer ears to listen in.

Maximo’s expression made it plainly clear that he didn’t want anything to do with us. Clifford seemed surprisingly blasé about the situation. He’d never seemed awfully invested in his bond to Anna anyway. Now that he wasn’t going to marry her anymore, I found him much more tolerable. I suppose his opinion of me hadn’t improved though.

Dante got up with a businesslike smile. “You made it.”

As if they’d had a choice. Maximo ignored Dante’s outstretched hand and sank down on the chair across from him. “I hope this won’t take too long. I have another call with my lawyers.”

If he thought that would impress anyone here, he still didn’t understand what a deal with the devil meant. Only Dolora looked thoroughly spooked, which made me feel almost sorry for her. But again, she slept with a mobster so she could have foreseen repercussions.

“I’m sure we can settle the matter quickly and to both our satisfaction,” Dante drawled. I had to stifle a smile.

He pushed the printed-out photos across the table. I wasn’t proud of my actions, especially because Anna had caught me. My feelings for her had changed me, but now that my Casanova ways were our ticket to blackmail the Clarks I couldn’t really regret my actions. Clifford’s face twisted with disgust then anger. He shook his head and stepped back. He probably recognized his bed, which in hindsight had been a really awful place to get it on, but Dolora had chosen it, and he was her son, not mine.