Taken_ A Dark Mafia Romance - Piper Stone Page 0,88

many forms, some worse than others; however, they all involved secrets and lies. The sect members certainly didn’t hold a record on the number of secrets kept or the lies told over the years. What I knew to be certain was that no one could hold a secret for eternity.

Myself included.

Sadly, deals were often best handled when one party had something over the other, allowing for the ability to parlay the details into a more favorable exchange. I’d been guilty of that for years. The deal we made on a sunny afternoon was one that some in the sect would likely question, even condemn us for, but both Christian and I were prepared to take the heat.

Trust was something else, but we’d be prepared for another betrayal if it occurred.

The questions continued to pour in, phone calls from other reporters. We wouldn’t be able to ignore them for long, but our last meeting was the most important. Soon, law enforcement would arrive to seize our documents as well as our assets. I’d been able to take a few steps, but not enough to thwart the officials for long.

My rage had increased. I realized that it was time to take off the gloves, fighting for the integrity of the sect becoming more important to me. This was my life, my heritage and goddamn anyone who attempted to take it away from me.

Or my family.

Senator Bellows truly believed he was an important man even though he spent the majority of his time out of the office, often inside one of his favorite bars.

That’s exactly where we found him.

His face was pinched when he noticed our arrival but he did his best to hide his disdain.

“Gentlemen, to what do I owe the pleasure? I must admit, you have balls the size of cantaloupes coming out after such a horrible article,” Senator Bellows said in a derogatory manner. “Such a shame that people don’t understand what your people are made of.”

Our people. I wanted to wrap my hand around his throat, dragging him outside until I could beat him to death. I curtailed my hatred and my anger, the plan Christian and I had one that would solve several issues.

If handled correctly.

Both Christian and I sat down at the table, the hard stare Christian gave to the senator’s guest enough to make the man rear back.

“I need to make a few phone calls, Gil. We can talk later,” his guest said as he rose to his feet. “Call me tomorrow.”

“Will do. Golf game on Wednesday.” Senator Bellows kept his smile until after his friend walked away, immediately glowering at both of us. “What the hell do you want?”

“Well, we were actually checking as to why you haven’t RSVP’d to the wedding the day after tomorrow.” I eased back in my seat, giving him a harsh glare.

He laughed. “I don’t think there’s going to be a wedding, boys. If I understand correctly, Winter O’Brien was already engaged to a member of the Taglioni mafia family. While that is certainly unfortunate given the current investigation, a deal is a deal. My strong suggestion is that you don’t fuck with the mafia.”

“Perfectly stated and exactly what I would have expected from a man like you, Senator. You certainly made sure I was aware given the threats you made,” I said, hesitating as a nervous tic appeared in the corner of his mouth. “Of course that was you. My guess is that you were asked to convince your ex-buddy, Donovan O’Brien, that he needed to keep up his end of the bargain.”

The senator twisted his mouth. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“What we do know is that Winter O’Brien isn’t for sale,” Christian said as he leaned across the table, pushing the drink out of the senator’s way.

“I will expose your secret!” the senator threatened.

“You mean the one how Father McGivney died?” I asked, holding my breath. When the senator curled his lip, I breathed a sigh of relief. “I assure you that all the proper authorities know exactly what happened, including the fact he attempted to kill Christian’s wife. There is no secret.”

He appeared crestfallen.

“You made a deal with the Taglionis to help you gain the White House. I doubt that’s going to happen. Ever. However, the three of us are going to make a deal of our own.”

He snorted, looking from one to the other. “What makes you think I’m going to do anything of that nature? I’d be a fool. I have significant information