The Wild Wolf Pup (Zoe's Rescue Zoo #9)(83)

I watch as Anthony nods his head, accepting Riggs’ vow to keep his sister and nephew safe before he turns his cold blue eyes to me.

Fucking Ice, no, glaciers, stare back at me like this is my fucking fault.

“Appreciate the heads up but I ain’t the one who should be sitting at this table with you and we both know that.”

I hold his gaze as I pull a toothpick out of my cut and shove it between my teeth.

He’s right but I’m not ready to break bread with Rocco Spinelli.

“Victor knew this would happen, he prepared for it by putting Rocco in charge of his organization. Now, you need to respect that and get on board before you have a blood bath on your hands, one you can avoid,” he informs, leaning back in his chair as he shrugs his shoulders. “Since, I’m so good at being the go-between, I’ll take you to the boss.”

Leaning into Riggs, he pulls the bottle from his hand and takes a hefty gulp of the poison, cringing as it burns his throat. He tips the bottle toward me and swallows.

“But motherfucker you’re driving because I’m wrecked,” he declares, throwing back his head as he takes another shot.

Blackie turns to me.

“This how we gonna play this?” He whispers harshly. “I know I said I was all for you giving this guy a chance, but now, at this particular moment, I’m not sure I want to entrust this to him,” he admits.

“Rocco may have learned how to be a boss from Victor but he’s going to learn how to lead from me,” I declare, pushing back my chair and standing up. “Let’s go, Bianci,” I order, pointing to Blackie. “You take Reina and Lacey home,” I say then turn to Riggs. “Make the call, pretty boy,” I tell him one last time before following Bianci out of the chapel.

Reina’s worried glance is the first thing I see when I step into the common room, followed by my daughter’s fearful eyes that are pinned to the man behind me.

I grab Reina’s hand, pull her against me and snake my arms around her waist.

“I’ve got to head out. Blackie is going to take you and Lacey home and when I’m done I’ll come home,” I tell her, pushing her blonde hair over her shoulder. “Don’t look at me like that, Sunshine…everything’s all good,” I lie.

“Parrish, I know that look and you…it’s not fine.”

“It will be, I promise.”

Reluctantly she stares back at me as I bend my head to kiss her but her mouth doesn’t respond and I lean back to better assess her, watching as she chews on her lower lip nervously.

Oh, hell.

“Maybe we should postpone the wedding,” she suggests, biting back the frown that’s fighting her mouth.

Without hesitation, I take her face in my hands, bending my knees to be eye level with her, I shake my head.

“Listen here, Sunshine, ain’t nothing stopping me from marrying you,” I vow, determination laced heavily with every word. “Not a thing,” I repeat.

“As long as you’re sure,” she says softly, closing her hands around my wrists before touching her lips to mine.

“Never been sure of anything in my life but I’m sure as hell marrying you.”

And I was.

Come hell or high water.

I was marrying Reina DeCarlo.

Nobody, no war, nothing would stop me from making her property of Parrish.

Except death.

And I’m not dying anytime soon, there’s a lot of life left inside this body, a lot of good buried under the bad and I want the chance to give the good to the people who deserve it. Reina, Lacey and that baby I’m going to love, that baby is my second chance.

I kiss Reina again, putting a sliver of that good into it, hoping it’s enough to ease her fears. I give Lacey a hug, promise her both men in her life will stay safe and finally, I lock eyes with Blackie.

We got this, brother.

Riggs, Anthony and I drive over the Verrazano Bridge to the Todt Hill section of Staten Island. Bianci instructs me to turn onto Circle Drive and the gated mansion comes into view. Conveniently the front gate is open leading to a winding cobblestone driveway and a massive entryway. I park my truck haphazardly next to the Maserati, leave the engine running but throw it into park before I jump out of the truck.

I slam the brass knocker against the door and ring the bell three times. I count because it’s taking forever for Riggs to drag a drunk Bianci out of the truck. The door opens as Riggs gets Bianci to stand upright and I am greeted by Rocco.

“What can I do for you Parrish?” He questions, tugging on the knot of his tie. I study him for a moment, take in the draining look in his eyes, the dark circles beneath them and five o’clock shadow outlining his features.

“Rough night, boss?” I taunt.

“What do you think?” He clips, glancing over his shoulder at Bianci. He’s got his eyes pinned to Rocco as he snarls.

“Better be up for the challenge, cuz,” he sneers.

“Yeah? What challenge might that be?”

“The one I’m here to deliver to you,” I say, interrupting their pissing contest. “Vic put you in charge for a reason Spinelli, more importantly he sent you to my doorstep for one purpose and now that purpose is clear. Vic knew the consequences, fuck, he expected them that’s why he made Bianci bring you to my club, it’s why he asked me to stand with you and not against you. Vic wanted me to deliver my new ally a message and so, here I am. This city, my city, is about to become a fucking war zone now that the G-Man is off the streets. You want a place in my streets, do as I say. Your only job now is to protect Vic’s family, not his organization. Nothing else exists except for his wife, your aunt, and your cousins. Forget making scores, climbing the ranks and ordering hits. I’m telling you that shit don’t matter. Your sole purpose, your number one priority is making sure everyone in Vic’s circle keeps breathing.”