to Peter, we got word an attack was planned for the restaurant opening. What none of us expected was an attack on our house in town.”
My father’s face turned red. He started to rise from his seat, but Angelo stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. “It’s okay. We handled it.”
“Devil and Sabrina were there, and they took care of things.”
“So I can do something right after all?” Devil said.
“You can,” I said grudgingly. “Today, you fucking didn’t.”
He huffed. “We’ve got great leverage, and he doesn’t know we’re not going to hurt them.”
“Do they know that?”
Devil shrugged. “I didn’t try to make them piss themselves or anything. Jesus. What kind of asshole do you think I am? Those kids are little and shit.”
“Exactly, and you kidnapped them and brought them to our house. Now the Riccis, and all their allies, are going to come at us harder.”
Devil snorted. “They were already gunning for us, and now they’ve got a reason to pause and listen.”
“I had a plan, Devil. If we take out Damian, most of their allies will see the wisdom of begging my forgiveness.”
“So now he’ll be even easier to lure in because he’s going to want his wife and kids back.”
I shook my head.
“They’re here,” my father said. “You can’t change that. Go talk to them and see if we can get some information out of them.”
“I’m not talking to her in front of her fucking kids. They’re practically babies.”
“Talk to Elena. Have Sabrina watch the kids.”
I stared at him. He couldn’t be serious. “Sabrina? First, I told her to stay with Peter. Second, I know more about kids than Sabrina does.”
Angelo snickered. “That’s true. Don’t you remember her with cousin Nina’s kids?”
My father frowned, then burst out laughing. “She treated them like she thought they might explode at any moment.”
“Mother of God, she was a fucking mess,” Devil said. “Lola can stay with them, and I’ll talk to Elena.”
“No, I’ll do the talking, and afterwards, we’ll reconvene because we need a plan for what we’re going to do with them and how we’re going to head off more trouble and kill fucking Damian.”
Devil stood up. “I’m coming with you.”
“Fuck no, you’re not.”
He stood his ground. “You’re going to scare the fuck out of her.”
“Like you didn’t?”
Angelo grabbed our cousin’s arm. “Just let Luce handle it.”
He jerked out of Angelo’s hold. “Do you think I just grabbed her on the street and dragged her to the car?”
I glanced at Angelo. He shrugged, but I could tell that was exactly what he thought Devil had done.
Devil huffed. “I wouldn’t act like that to a lady. I mean, unless I knew she liked it.”
“So how did you kidnap her? Clearly you want to tell me.”
“I told her if she and her kids came with us, we’d make sure Damian never hit her again.”
That was unexpected. “Keep talking.”
“She did a really good job with her makeup, but she has a black eye that’s barely healing and a bruise on her cheek, and when one of the kids grabbed her wrist, she flinched.”
“What did she say?” Angelo asked.
“She asked how she knew she could trust me. I told her I’d never hit a woman in my life, I never intended to, and neither did anyone else in my family. I told her you taught me respect,” he said looking at my father.
“I want in on this,” my father said, his expression hard.
“No, Pop,” Angelo said. “We’re not risking your heart.”
“I want to break this man in half,” he snarled.
I knelt in front of him and took his hands in mine. “So do I, and I promise I’ll get the job done, but I want you safe.”
“All right, son.” He lifted his chin, telling me to get to my feet. “I’m counting on you.”
I gestured for Devil to follow me. “Come on. Let’s go talk to her.”
“See? I’m not as fucking impulsive as you think.”
I wasn’t convinced of that. “We need a plan to get her out of here so we can keep her and the kids safe.”
“I know. I’m thinking on that.”
When we entered the sitting room where Lola had taken our guests, Elena rose immediately, placing herself between us and her kids who were playing on the floor with some toys Lola kept around for when my cousin’s children visited.
“Devil and I have no intention of hurting you or your children. But we do need information. If you cooperate with us, we will make sure you stay safe.”
“And if I