Page 74 of The Gangster King

“Got it.”

She moves out from behind me and blinks at Braxton—I figure because she couldn’t see him from behind my broad back—then surprises me by reaching up and kissing me on the lips.

I wrap an arm around her and tug her hard against me, not willing to let anything or anyone take this moment from me.

She drops back on her feet, smiles up at me almost sadly, then kisses me once more.

An icy shiver runs through me.

“Don’t let anyone near her.” I growl at Jono as he leads her back into the party. I glance at Nick. “Go with them.”

“No way.” He glares at Braxton.

Fuck.I know he’s right.

It’s unlikely the Marine is going to shoot me or do anything stupid. If the authorities had anything on me, I’d be in cuffs already.

But I’m a don now and my life is valuable. There is no heir to take over the family.

Gianna is alive, but women still do not lead mafias.

With the odd exception.

In New York...she’d be eaten alive.

An urgency to have Adelina back in my arms spurs me on.

Jesus, I told her I loved her.

Tonight you will sleep in my bed. Not as my prisoner, but as the woman I love.

It fell out. But I do. I fucking love her. I have always loved her. There was a reason I went straight to her the moment I could safely get away after my father died.

As don, I knew I could finally claim her.

I could have hidden in any number of places, but I went to her...and she let me in.

“So,” I say, crossing my arms and leaning back against the railing. “Braxton Ashford. I’m going to need my sister back.”

He removes his hands from his pocket and walks to lean against the railing beside me.

“Minor problem with that,” he says, turning to me. “She’s my wife.”

Oh, Jesus fucking Christ.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

BRAXTON

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DANTE RUBS HIS hand down his face.

Check mate, motherfucker.

“You married my fucking sister,” he grumbles.

I nod, uncrossing and crossing my ankles.