Page 50 of The King's Boy

"Not that I know of, but it wouldn't hurt to ask around. I know you wouldn't ruffle my feathers and I doubt Petrov would have an issue if you gave him a call and offered him a deal on that Russian vodka he likes so much. He pays a pretty penny to have it smuggled into the US."

"Good to know."

"As for your friend, as long as you respect the family and spouse veil, I'll respect it."

"We're not married," I pointed out. "Spencer doesn't fall under the veil." I hated that we had to be married just so he would be safe. He should be safe period.

"Nicky and I were together for two years before we got married," Borelli stated. "O'Donnell messed with him before and after we got married, which is why he is in a wheelchair now. I won't hesitate to take anyone out that messes with my Nicky, and I suspect you are the same."

"I am, but it's a rather new development."

In the past, I had never cared enough to protect anyone for my own personal gain. I had done it when following orders, but that was it. Beyond those orders, I couldn't have cared less.

"I know you haven't been here long, but things are slowly changing here."

I cocked my head as I regarded the Italian mobster. "How so?"

"Petrov and I have a treaty between us, but it's not to keep the peace between our families. It's to keep our husbands safe. If something was to happen and Nicky wasn't safe in Manhattan, Petrov would be the first person I would send him to. I know he would keep Nicky safe."

My jaw dropped. "You're that close to Petrov?"

That might not be good for me.

"I wouldn't say we were close, but we understand each other. Petrov would protect his husband Eiji to his last breath. I would do the same for Nicky. You know as well as I do that marrying another man in the mafia is frowned upon. We've kind of stuck together because of that."

I rubbed my thumb absently along the curve of my jaw as I thought about Borelli's words and what they could mean for me and Spencer. If I played my cards right, this could be the opening I needed to keep him safe.

"How can I get Petrov to agree to a peace treaty to keep Spencer safe?"

"It will be hard," Borelli replied. "After that debacle with O'Donnell, he has no reason to trust the Irish."

"I called Petrov when I learned O'Donnell had hired someone to put bugs in the walls of his mansion during the construction of his dance studio." Maybe that would help.

Borelli's eyes widened. "You told him?"

"This is a business. You know that and I know that. And it is not always a business on the right side of the law. We both accept that. That does not mean I have to compromise my morals just to get ahead. If someone brings it to me, I will end it, but I am not going to bug someone's private residence so I can learn all their dirty secrets." I grinned mischievously. "I have other ways of doing that."

Borelli chuckled. "Don't we all."

"I—" I froze when I heard Malloy through the earpiece Spencer had placed in my ear.

"Boss, I hope you can hear me," Malloy said. "I didn't know how else to get this information to you without interrupting your meeting, but there is an intruder on the grounds. I have moved all of the house staff to the safe room along with Spencer and Boden while I have the house and grounds searched."

Fuck!

This was going to destroy any ground I had made with Borelli today.

I quickly stood up and stormed to the door, yanking it open. "Malloy, get your Irish ass in here."

He was there within seconds. "Boss."

"What in the hell do you mean there is an intruder on the grounds?"

"He took out two of the guards on the east wall. One of them was able to get to the alarm before he died. I immediately put everyone in the safe room and sent our men out to look for him. Spencer showed up about then and demanded to know what was going on. After I explained it to him, he insisted on getting the earpiece to you. Once he came out, I had Boden take him to the safe room."

Had the man even breathed through that?

"Is that everything?"