Read Lawless: Mob Boss Book Three for Free Online Page B

sounded harsh, and she took a deep breath. “He went underground to protect us, to get a better view on what was happening, who was behind it all.”
    “And I’m guessing that’s pretty clear now?”
    She nodded.
    “So you’re telling me we’re targets, too,” David said bitterly. “What a surprise.”
    She crossed her arms over her chest. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “We’ve been safe for four months, Ange. Four months that Nico Vitale hasn’t been around. The first day he comes back someone decides to use us for target practice at the brownstone?” He took a drink of his coffee. “That doesn’t sound like a coincidence.”
    “Nico came back because he heard about the hit on us,” Angel said. “The only thing that would have been different if he’d stayed away is that we’d be in the morgue right now.”
    She turned around, trying to calm down while she added milk to the eggs, beat them together. This wasn’t David’s fault. It was easier to blame Nico for everything that had happened than to blame their dead father for bringing the Syndicate to their door in the first place. Easier to blame Nico than to blame Angel for refusing to walk away when she had the chance.
    “I’m sorry, Ange.” David’s voice was soft behind her.
    “It’s okay.”
    “Hey,” he said. She turned to face him. “I’m really sorry.”
    She nodded.
    “I just…”
    “What?”
    “Will you ever be able to put all this behind you with Nico in the picture?” he asked. “Will you ever be happy — or free — again?”
    She was surprised to feel the sting of tears in her eyes. They were questions she didn’t ask herself. Answering them meant contemplating a life without Nico, and now that she had him back, she knew that was no life at all.
    “I don’t know,” she said. “I only know that the two most important people in the world are here with me now, and I don’t want to live without either one of them. Nico can keep us safe while we figure out a long term plan.”
    “And after that?”
    “I love him, David.” She shrugged. “It’s all I’ve got right now.”
    He nodded, then glanced into the living room. “Where is he?”
    “Running,” she said. “He likes to jog on the beach in the mornings. It clears his head.”
    She was putting the first slices of egg-soaked bread on the griddle when Nico entered the house through the doors off the deck. He brought the scent of the sea with him, his hair damp and wavy. His T-shirt was soaked, giving her a perfect view of his sculpted chest. She felt a tightening between her legs as she remembered his dark head there, his magnificent body joining with hers.
    “Hey.” She cleared her throat. “How was it?”
    The corners of his mouth turned up into a knowing smile, like he knew exactly what she’d been thinking. “Amazing.”
    She wondered if he was talking about the run or something else.
    He cut his gaze to David, and his expression grew serious. “Good morning.”
    “Morning,” David said.
    Nico held out his hand. “I don’t think we’ve ever met properly.”
    David looked at his hand a moment before clasping it. “I think you’re right.”
    Nico looked into his eyes. Angel loved him for that, for making sure that David knew he was seen. “Is your room comfortable? Is there anything I can get you?”
    David shook his head. “I’m good.”
    Nico nodded, then came around the island to where Angel was standing over the griddle. She thought he might try to be subtle around David, but she should have known better; Nico would never make apologies for the way he felt about her. He wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her close, then kissed her tenderly on the mouth.
    “Good morning, beautiful.” His voice was hoarse.
    She smiled. It was real. He was here. “Good morning.”
    He gave her a squeeze and stepped away. “I’m going to take a quick shower. I’ll be down in time for breakfast.”

10
    “ L uca’s out ,” Nico said, coming