Fall (Romanian Mob Chronicles Book 2) by Kaye Blue Read Free Book Online Page A

panted hard, had her hands wrapped around my forearms.
    “We’ll talk later,” I said.

Eight
    S orin

    “ W e need to have a chat with Clan Constantin,” I said to my brother the next day.
    “Anything I should be concerned about?” he asked.
    “I was at Esther’s.” I stopped at his raised brow and then continued. “Some guys tried to rob her.”
    “Clan?”
    “Yes, and Constantin is the closest.”
    “That’s out of their territory,” he said.
    I nodded. “It is, and that’s why we need to talk to them. They may try to find us first,” I said.
    “Why would they do that, Sorin?” he said.
    “I fucked them up, broke one of their arms,” I said.
    “And he was trying to rob Esther?”
    “Would have, probably worse if I hadn’t been there.”
    “Why didn’t you kill them?” he asked.
    “She was there.”
    He nodded his understanding, something that didn’t surprise me at all. Vasile would have done the same, worse, in my place. “At least they got a little of what they deserved. I’ll set something up. They need to understand that kind of shit won’t be tolerated.”
    “I’d like to be there, deliver the message personally.”
    He nodded and then said, “Why were you at Esther’s?”
    “You’re managing my social calendar now?” I said, feeling strangely protective of my time with Esther, not wanting to share it with anyone, including Vasile, the one person I shared everything with.
    “Esther is on your social calendar?” he tossed back.
    “You have a problem if she is?” I asked. I would have understood if he had, but I didn’t like it.
    “That’s Maria’s godmother, Fawn’s best friend. You will treat her with respect, Sorin.”
    “You lecturing me?” I said. It wouldn’t be the first time, probably not the last either, but the idea grated nonetheless.
    “Do I need to?”
    “Vasile, we’re both adults. We both know the score.”
    “Respectful, Sorin,” he said.
    “I heard you the first time,” I snapped, letting my anger get the better of me.
    But Vasile just assessed me with his cool, unrattled gaze. “Good,” he finally said.
    “Besides,” I said, lightening the moment, “you’d sic Fawn on me. I don’t want that.”
    He laughed, something he’d done more of since he had met Fawn than he had in his entire life before her. “You and Esther. Not your usual, but I can see it.”
    “There’s no ‘it’ to see, Vasile. We’re just fuc…” I trailed off, seeing the censure in Vasile’s eyes. I supposed I understood. Esther was important to Fawn, which meant she was important to Vasile. But still. This wasn’t anything more, couldn’t be.
    “Right,” he said after a moment, but his knowing expression told me he didn’t believe me.

----
    E sther

    I t had been days since I’d seen Sorin, something, I reminded myself almost constantly, that was a good thing. I’d had no illusions about him, knew that even if I didn’t have details, he was a brutal, dangerous man. And so I tried to focus on that, trying to ignore the fact that he’d acted that way because of me, something that grew harder, the more thought I put into it.
    I was strong, independent, had never had to rely on anyone to take care of me, protect me, especially not a man. In truth, my ability to do those things myself had been clear to all, so clear no one had ever even tried.
    Which was good, I told myself as I stood in front of the paint mixer, creating just the perfect shade of sage for the waiting customer. Yes, it was very good that men respected me, recognized that I, more than anyone else, was responsible for myself. Could take care of myself.
    My brain nodded along, practically screaming “Amen,” about as close to righteous as it ever really got.
    My body on the other hand…
    It was a traitor, to me, to women, to peace. Okay, so maybe that was a touch hyperbolic, but still, as much as my brain and my upbringing said I should have been horrified, disgusted, ashamed, my body had