Tirone (The Night Skulls MC #2)(9)

Fuck.

His smirk reappeared on his bony ass face. “I’ll see you, Furore. Hopefully, two weeks from now, or even earlier if you feel like stopping by any time, you know for a chat over a glass of the Lanzas’ famous wine, when you can tell me all about your little vacation you spent in my town, share some juicy hot for teacher, who’s not Jocasta Larvin, secrets, get them off your chest, if you know what I mean. I promise our friendly talks will be very rewarding.”

FUCKKK. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“Sure. Just so you know, I’ll understand if you’re busy. It’ll be your loss, though.”

When he took his goons and left, Molar and Fort took the seats across from me, their stares bustling with questions.

“What the fuck just happened, Furore?” VP demanded. “That sounded like an open fucking threat.”

It was. Enzio Lanza didn’t believe Jo was just Jo Meneceo, the innocent English teacher. He was threatening me to come clean about her or it’d be my loss.

“Is there something we should know, Prez?” Fort asked warily.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Molar darted a glance between us. “Are you keeping something from us, bro?”

When I didn’t say anything, he rolled his eyes and cursed. “She is Madeline’s daughter, ain’t she? Jesus Christ.”

And now I had two options according to Enzio Lanza. Go to him and tell him the truth myself to save my ass and the club from whatever revenge his Tagliatore ass had in mind. Or go with Jo to his party, to his own lair, where he’d have invited the Larvins for sure, to lie to him and them in the face and convince them she wasn’t the lost daughter.

If I did either, the woman I loved would be as good as dead. If I didn’t, I’d get us all fucked. How the fuck could I make that choice?





CHAPTER 5


Jo



Footsteps and key rattles echoed from outside. My heart thudded in my chest, but I stood still.

Tirone’s gaze that had been settled on me all the time we were waiting in here intensified. “That moment of truth is nearest than your fate…and mine.”

I swallowed, shifting my eyes to the door, as if that would bring my anxiety and distress down. Could Laius do that to me? Give me up? I’d be sad, but it wouldn’t anger me. I didn’t know how powerful the Night Skulls were. I was aware they ruled Houston, but I couldn’t imagine they were a match for the mob. The Mafia wasn’t to be trifled with. By coming here in that fashion, the Lanzas’ boss must have threatened Laius. Laius had no choice but to save his family and club. Someone like me wasn’t worth the sacrifice. In fact, if he chose any differently, that would anger me.

I didn’t wait for the door to open. I marched toward it, ready for what was to come.

When the old metal squeaked, and Laius appeared, his face dark with burden, tears clogged the back of my throat. Nodding, I stretched my lips with a smile so that the tears wouldn’t fall. “Is he still here?”

He shook his head once. “It’s safe.”

“You should have let him wait.”

“What?”

“It’s okay. It’s the right thing to do.” I tried not to cry, but the tears came against my will. Quickly, I wiped them. “It’s your family, and I understand. Do what you have to do to protect it, Laius.”

He stared at me, his beautiful green eyes flaming brightly. “I have no choice.”

“I understand. I swear I do. I’m not angry, and I won’t fight this. It’s what I deserve.” It was bound to happen anyway. I’d rather die now when he still loved me than later when he discovered the truth and killed me out of hate.

“I must protect my family. I have to do whatever it takes.”

I was sobbing uncontrollably now, so I buried my face into his chest, my only shelter even when he was the one handing me to my killers. Slowly, his arms enfolded me. I curled up into him, burying myself deeper into the warmth I’d surely miss. “I love you.”

“You gotta be fucking shitting me.” Tirone scoffed.

Laius’s head moved toward his son. I lifted mine and glanced at Tirone over my shoulder. Then I mouthed in warning, “Shut up.”

“You got something to say, Son?”

“No, he doesn’t,” I said firmly. “This is between you and me. It’s inappropriate to include your son in this conversation.”

“Inappropriate my ass. Are you seriously gonna let him do this to you?” Tirone came over to us. “I told you that’s gonna happen. I told you Furore knows nothing but this shit, and you’ll just go with him? You still fucking love him?”

“Laius, just let’s get out of here, please,” I begged.

Laius dropped his arms off me and stepped between me and Tirone. “The fuck you’re saying, Rex?”

“You heard me. And I swear to fuck if Miss Meneceo is hurt because of you or whatever shit you dragged her into—”

Laius stepped forward, cutting Tirone off. “What? What are you gonna do about it, boy?”

Tirone stood in Laius’s space, and I gulped. Were they going to fight? I couldn’t handle this. I said I’d go to the Lanzas and get it all over with. Why would they fight over me? “I’ll fucking end you before you ruin any more innocent people’s lives. You ruined Mom’s. You ruined mine. I won’t let you do it to her, too.”