Chapter 63
Frowning at Torg Alcer pulled back a bit.
“What about my family?”
“A few things.”
“Well, your father did in fact reach out to mine to offer his support in taking me down and getting Corrado back in the seat.”
She shook her head, “he hates me this much?”
“I think it’s the fact his family business is essentially gone. He saw a light at the end of his tunnel in learning we are a couple and then I ripped it away from him. He hurt you Alcee. I,” he seemed hesitant to tell her something and then shrugged and spat out, “I saw the video of where he offered to let his men treat you as the whore he believed you to be.”
She looked away, color staining her cheeks. “I see.”
“I also saw how you spit in his face and how you strong you were in the face of such danger. I’m incredibly proud of you Alcee. You showed a Jstrength I am in awe of
“I was terrified.” She admitted sadly.
“Only a fool wouldn’t be.” He held her gaze seriously. “What your father did was frightening, Alcee. He didn’t simply punish you; he threatened your life, he threatened to have you raped, he threatened to cause you significant harm all because he didn’t get his own way. You and I, Alcee, we didn’t come from families where father’s loved us unconditionally. It takes a strong person to look the person who should be your protector in the face and tell them what they are doing is wrong
“I guess.”
“Your family failed you, Alcer. Your father, your brothers, your mother, they all failed you. I hope you know this family, the Lozano family will not fail you. We will keep you safe or we will die trying. You and Antero are important and valued and we will not let anything happen to you.”
She smiled at him and then before she could stop herself, she scooted up and kissed his cheek, “thank you Torg,”
He smiled at her, “it is my absolute pleasure.”
“Did your father agree to my father’s offer?”
“He agreed to a discussion. My father is meeting with him when he arrives in town later this week.”
“Corrado isn’t in town. I thought he made an attempt on your life this week?
“He sent some of his henchmen after me, but they were weak at best. Genevra tipped them off, inadvertently of course but she’s still on my shit list. What the fuck Kylen sees in her is beyond me. Her in our home last night made me want to toss off the balcony.”
“She’s not so bad,” she offered weakly.
“You don’t like her either.”
“She’s so shallow and vain.” She couldn’t help the complaint. “Why is she like this? I hypothesized earlier it’s because she grew up surrounded by tich people when her own parents are down to earth like Bastiano but holy shit she’s so wrapped up in wanting pretty things which are expensive it’s irritating.”
“I will admit, I was really surprised how much she lakes Avalanche, Torq looked at the dog who was sleeping a few feet away.
“She gave me crap about crying into a dog’s fur being special.”
“I wouldn’t know. I haven’t cried since my past life.”
She snickered, “I doubt you cried in any life. You’re a pretty tough motherfucker.”
He laughed, “yes I am. I will say I’ve come close a few times in my life.”
Chapter 63
“Like when?”
“Like the day my grandfather was lowered into the ground. It was hard. The finality of knowing I’d never be able to seek his counsel again or hear him tell me that simply because my ass was up high didn’t mean his boot couldn’t reach it,” he smiled at her snicker, “was a bitter pill to swallow. The other time which comes to mind is the day I saw Antero the first time. Fuck, looking at his face and sering how protective you were of him, so strong and brave, both of you, it hit me right here,” he took her hand and placed it over his heart. “Knowing I missed out on five year of his life, six years with you, it was fucking hard to accept but there was also a giant sense of relief to see you there, standing there. I needed to take a few steadying breaths.”
“I knew it,” she whispered.
“Excuse me?”
“When Antero is going to cry
- with me, his nose gets all red at the end. Yours did the same thing. You share a lot of similar mannerisms. The way you clench your fists, and your ears turn red, and your nose flares out are all similar to one another.”
He chuckled, “that’s funny.”
“It’s also true.”
“Perhaps.” He gave a smile. “In time you might learn
learn more of my tells.”
He inhaled and then exhaled, “there is more I wanted to talk to you about.”
“I do not typically like to get involved in the personal politics of another family.” He ruffled his hair, “and so I’m going to give you the Information which has come to my attention today and then we will act based on what you wish.”
“Seriously? What is it?”
“As you saw yesterday, your brother and father were at odds.”
Is “Dad smacked him in a room full of people who weren’t family. I’m surprised Mercurio didn’t simply shoot
“At odds?” She laughed at the words him in the head for it.”
Torq frowned, “what?”
“Mercurio is the one person who goes toe–to–toe with my father. Not ever in public as he did yesterday but at home, I’ve even seen them get into fist fights. Dad’s brother Panfilo is the consigliere but he’s an ass kisser. He doesn’t held my father accountable, which means Mercurio has stepped in over the years and is the true consigliere. His job is to make sure Dad looks at all the angles. He has said more than once, in the presence of only family of course, he wasn’t going to let him destroy the family which was meant for him to inherit. One time my father told my brother if he thought he was man enough, to come at him and Mercurio didn’t hesitate. He put the old man down on the ground and the only reason be let him back up was because my brothers pulled weapons and so did the soldiers. Mere isn’t afraid of my father. My father is afraid of Merc. My guess, after yesterday, knowing you shot your own father and took control of your family to avoid it bring destroyed, Mercurio is likely planning his own coup,”
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