The Devil Within

ZANE

Conner sprang up, his fist connecting with my dad’s jaw.

“You bastard! You knew this would happen. You planned it. He’s got a life now, one he can’t afford to lose. He’s got a woman he loves, who doesn’t know about this side of him!”

He landed another punch, sending my father stumbling back toward the window.

But my dad was still quick. The sound of a gun cocking filled the room, and I saw Conner staring down the barrel of his gun.

“I had no choice, Conner. Luca needs to be stopped. This job needs to be finished.”

I was on my feet in an instant, wrenching the gun from my dad’s hand. It clattered to the floor as he groaned.

“You wanted to unleash this monster again, didn’t you, old man? Well, you got it.”

“Zane, please,” he pleaded as I twisted his arm behind his back. “Everyone back in Italy is safe. You need to secure everyone here to make sure he can’t get in. Let go, son, you’re hurting me.”

A cold, hollow laugh escaped my lips. I felt him shiver. “You trained me to protect myself and everyone around me. Don’t you think I can handle that?”

Conner stepped forward, placing his hand on my shoulder. I glanced at it, then back up at him.

“Let him go, boss. We can handle this without him. Zane, please. What about Shay? You can’t do this to her, to your life now.

“She said you were so happy in Florida. Remember that, and come back to us.”

Connor’s words brought me back to reality. My love, my child! I released my dad’s arm, punching the wall instead, leaving a gaping hole.

Leaning against the wall, I hung my head, trying to regain control. My dad sank back into his chair, nursing his arm as I took deep, calming breaths.

No one approached me as I collected myself, shaking off the demon. It was still lurking in my soul, but it had retreated for now.

I slowly straightened up. My eyes were still blazing, but I was in control. Conner looked at me and nodded.

“Good to have you back, boss. What brought you back?”

“Your words about Florida. I can’t do this to her. There’s no way I can let this beast be around her; she can’t be stressed.

“She means too much to me. I won’t lose her. I can’t. She’s carrying my child.”

Everyone’s jaws dropped. “You mean she’s pregnant with your kid?” Noah asked, grinning.

“Yes, she got sick while we were on the boat and then panicked when she realized she was late. We think she’s about six to eight weeks along.

“I’m keeping that in mind, so this thing won’t consume me this time. I won’t go back to that place again.

“This time, I think I can control it. It’s been buried for a while—it surfaced a bit when she left, but not like it does around this family.

“They took the one thing I cherished. That’s why I tried to kill all three of them at once.”

My dad stood, sadness in his eyes.

“We all mourned her death, Zane. She was warned about Mateo, but she wouldn’t listen to any of us, not even your mother.

“She had just turned eighteen, and her stubbornness made her think she knew everything. In her mind, she was right, and no one could tell her otherwise.

“We didn’t expect her to find another man and get pregnant with his child. You know he killed her in a fit of rage and jealousy because it wasn’t his child.

“He didn’t realize that killing your sister would unleash your wrath.

“He didn’t know you’d hunt them down, plant that bomb, then watch as it destroyed that building.

“If you love this girl as much as you say, you know she’s in danger. He mentioned her name in that letter, so he knows about her. How did you meet this ‘Shay’?”

“She was a waitress at my club. I watched her for days, wanting to talk to her. One night, I finally asked her to serve us drinks, then I made her stay to talk.

“The Knights showed up, so I took her back to my place, and we started a relationship until Forest showed up. She found out that he and I had lied to her, and she left me for a month.

“I was slipping back into that dark place when Conner convinced her to come talk to me. I didn’t know she was already pregnant when she left.

“Now that I have her back, I won’t lose her. It nearly killed me the first time—next time, I might not come back at all.”

Dad smiled at me and patted my shoulder.

“I don’t doubt you can protect her, son. You’re the best I’ve ever seen. Hell, you just bested your own father with your quick reactions.

“I didn’t see you coming, and you know I’m always alert.”

I chuckled. “You’re just getting old, Dad. You know you slow down with age.”

“You said Forest showed up? The one who kidnapped your cousin wanting to kill him?”

“Yes, Dad, you know that story. I’m sure he told you and Uncle everything when he arrived.”

Dad sat back down, nodding.

“He did, but my question is, how well do you know this Forest guy? Would he be willing to help track down Luca and maybe get rid of him for good so we can live in peace again?”

I furrowed my brows, then an idea struck me. I nodded, a smile spreading across my face.

“I think I can offer him something he won’t be able to refuse. We’ve done some business together, and his network is as big as mine, if not bigger.

“We can stop Luca in his tracks if we join forces.”

I rose from my seat, pulling out my phone to dial Forest. He agreed to meet at my place the following evening.

After a warm hug with my dad, I stepped out the door, my two best friends at my side.