32

I did my best to keep my mind as blank as possible as I sat on the floor of my bedroom. Clay was behind me sitting on the bed, his fingers in my hair giving me three long French braids.

"Should I reach out to him or wait for him to reach out to me?" I asked lowly, feeling his fingers braiding into my hair.

"We do things by the book. We reach out and wait for an answer. Diego Jimenez would not risk lying to us knowing it would mean his life. If they Yakuza do not respond, then he will answer for it." he explained. I nodded already knowing the answer, but still wanted to hear his opinions.

"Do you think I am making a mistake bringing the Yakuza into the fold?" I asked.

"Would you be asking me this if you weren't dating Vincent Ragni?" he asked his tone still calm and professional. I sighed lightly.

"No." I replied. There were a few seconds of silence between us now.

"I want you to be happy. I can't show it, but it makes me a more positive person t know you are happy. But happiness always comes at a price." he said. I could feel his fingers twirling on the last black rubber band before running his hands over the top of my head to signify that he was finished. I finally turned to face him placing my cheek on the top of his leg.

"Any heartless person would tell me to end things with Vincent, to break things off and continue with work, but I can't." I admitted gently. He sighed some.

"You are only human." he said. I slowly got up from him and we both stood up.

"And you're not?" I asked. We never spoke about Clay's personal life. He never brought it up, and did not seem upset when I chose not to. Clay smiled almost sadistically.

"I gave up my humanity when I chose to work for you… you're my friend." he said. The fact his words could make me feel so touched, showed how strong our bond had grown over the years. He took my hand and brought it to his lips gently kissing the top. His lips were warm and gentle. He and I shared one kiss in captivity and that was when he saved me from being attacked.

"Goodnight, Yara." he replied walking around the room. I looked down.

"Goodnight." I replied.

The next day, Tasha was more than happy to let me take Yasmine and Tariq off her hands while she went to some spa for a much-needed vacation from her family. I was sure she was seeing someone, but I didn't care enough to be curious. I sat on the park bench with Tariq as Yas played on the swings. I had already sent my invitation to one of Ujio's contacts informing him of my interest to see and meet with him. Ujio. I shook my head for a moment.

"Mom and Dad are worried that I'm going to get into trouble." he said staring out at the kids with a dusty look. I looked at him and he looked back at me. "I know Dad's been talking with Kanan again, but he doesn't know he and I hang out. He's been teaching me the game." I nodded slowly looking at Yas.

"So you want to learn the game huh?" I asked. He was quiet and collective before nodding.

"Yes." he said. I nodded slowly crossing my legs.

"Why?" I asked.

"So I can be the baddest mother fucker in New York." he said. I chuckled dryly now at his words.

"Tariq I'm the baddest motherfucker in New York." I replied. "What your father does is very small compared to what I do… but it's because he had to do it all by himself. He had to betray the people around him to be where he's at." Tariq looked down for a moment.

"You had it handed to you." he said. I shrugged.

"Your father killed to get to the top, I fucked to get to the top." I responded coldly. Now my nephew winced.

"Ah ew, Auntie, you whored yourself out." he said. I laughed a bit at his words.

"I fucked the right people. Your dad fucked over the wrong people." I said. Tariq smiled at Yas before looking at me.

"Can I come work for you?" he asked. I looked at him slowly.

"And have me constantly worried for you not to mention having your dad bitching some more. Not a chance. Look Tariq, being the baddest of the bad means that one day someone is gunning for you. I know you feel like you'll be bored with just going to school and getting a good job, but is that so bad?" I asked. He looked down in thought of my words.

"But that's how our family is. Mom, Dad, Uncle Tommy, you." he said. I nodded.

"Yes and one day we are going to be killed by either an enemy, a loved one, or the family member of a victim. But I will say this. If you can stay out of trouble for exactly one month, I'll let you work for me." I said. He looked at me skeptical now.

"Like being an errand boy or something?" he asked. I chuckled looking over the top of his head noticing Clay standing by my car at the end of the street. He held up his wrist and pointed to his watch.

"Trust me, being an errand boy could make you rich." I replied before looking at him. "Come on let's go."

I drove the two home and dropped them off in front of the elevator. Tariq looked at me once the doors opened in front of his penthouse.

"Fine. I'll be good for one month." he said getting off the elevator, holding Yas' hand.

"Bye bye, auntie." she said waiving. I smiled at her waving.

"Bye." I said holding the door now and looking at Tariq. "But that means not letting Kanan convince you to get into trouble, because if I find out, the deal is broken, and you don't break deals with me."

My voice was firm showing that I was serious. Tariq nodded, and I smiled.

"Good." I replied and let the door closed. As the door was opening, Clay was standing off to the side. He followed me through the hotel.

"Got word from Japan. They'll be in the city in three days and will make contact when settled." he replied. I inhaled now.

"Alright." I replied. Vincent wanted me to meet some new associates of his before going out for brunch. They were family, he says. I felt today was the day we would need to speak about the meeting that was to come. I hated the knots that formed in my stomach. I was never nervous. I was never afraid. I didn't like that he brought these emotions out in me.

Once we arrived at Bamonte's, Clay parked out in the front and opened the door for me. I led the way inside and saw Vincent smiling with a group of men. Most of them were dressed in black. Sammy, Nicola, Al, Carmine and Marco were standing there along with some older gentleman and… My eyes widened as we made eye contact.

"Tommy?" I blurted. His eyes widened.

"Yara?" he asked moving from the men in an instant and approaching me, his hands finding my hips. "What the fuck are you doing here?" Before I could reply, I was staring at the back of Vincent's head.

"Tommy, I know we just met and all and we're supposed to be family… but if you ever put your hands on my woman like that again I'll put two bullets in your face." he threatened. Immediately I grabbed his hands.

"Vincent, it's okay. I know him." I said walking around him to look at Tommy.

"Hey, son you two know each other?" the older and unfamiliar man asked. Tommy looked at him as Vincent looked at me.

"He is my brother." I said and Vincent winced.

"What this guy? Don't look like no twin to me. I can definitely tell the difference." he said. Clay was smirking at the entire scene.

"No we grew up together." I said. The older man joined Tommy at his side.

"Yara this here is Tony Teresi. My dad." he said. I gave Vincent a quick peck to the lips to ease the tension he was giving off.

"I don't want any man touching you like that." he muttered to me. I nodded.

"Of course, my love." I replied before looking at Tommy and Tony. I smiled at him.

"It's an honor to meet you, Tony." I said and he smiled politely.

"Likewise, Yara." he said. Vincent wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

"We were just having a much needed celebration for Tony getting out of prison. He was once doing life and now they let him go." he said. Doing life, and now he's free? Oh I smelled a rat. I joined the men in doing some shots and stood by Clay as I watched Tommy engulfed into these people. It still stunned me that he was involved. Seeing how old Tony looked, I could tell he worked with the Musconi family. I leaned my head in Clay's direction.

"Can you find out why my brother's father suddenly got released from prison?" I asked. Clay nodded.

"I'll be in touch." he said and turned and began to walk from the building. Tommy replaced him smiling happily of which I couldn't help but smile.

"Girl you didn't tell me you're fucking the head of the Ragni/Musconi crime family." he said. I rolled my eyes.

"You didn't tell me your father worked with my boyfriend." I said and he shrugged bashfully.

"Hey I'm still learning new things about my family every day." he said. I nodded slowly in curiosity.

"Is Vincent your new connect?" I asked. Tommy looked at me coolly.

"Yeah. You cool with that?" he asked. I scoffed.

"Would it matter if I wasn't?" I asked. He gave me a look.

"He's my connect. And I can only put two and two together and wonder if he's also your client. I mean how else would you two have met? Not on the streets on a warm rainy day." he exclaimed. I looked down ducking my eyes some. No but I wished we had. I looked up at him.

"We keep our business with him separate?" I asked. He nodded.

"Deal." he replied.

"Hey, Yara, come over here and tell us how you handled those dudes who broke into your place, huh!" Al yelled from the other side. Vincent was standing next to him smiling at me. Tommy arched a brow at me.

"Oh you got some stories to tell?" he asked and I laughed and nodded.

"Alright, but it's gruesome." I said, following Tommy back over to the group to tell the story. It was actually very fun just talking and laughing. To feel accepted in a group of people who were not my biological family was something else. This made me feel even worse now, because of my fear of the unknown with the Yakuza. When it was time for his men to get back to work, Vincent led me from the bar, our hands curled into one another.

"So where do you want to go for brunch?" I asked. Vincent shrugged.

"I am happy wherever we go as long as it's just you and me." he said opening his car door. I smiled at him and got in. As we drove from the bar, I let my mind wander a bit. "So Tommy Egan, you vouch for him?" I nodded looking at him.

"I do." I replied. He nodded.

"You two grew up together?" he asked. I nodded.

"We did. He and my brother would beat down any boy trying to make a move on me." I said. He smiled.

"As they should. No one is good enough for their sister." he said. I smiled at him warmly.

"You are." I replied gently and he smiled as our hands connected over the middle console. He is. Which is why I couldn't hide anything from him. As we came to a stop sign, I looked down and then at him.

"In three days, a very important member of the Yakuza will be coming into New York to do business with me." I said and his eyes were growing serious.

"To join Red Lake?" he asked. I nodded.

"Yes. The cartel member I met mentioned that they were interested in our company. My supervisor wants them bad." I said. He looked down for a moment before nodding.

"Clay will look out for you. If you need anything, you've always got me." he said and I smiled warmly, leaning into him so our lips could connect. Immediately, I deepened the kiss of which he responded to immediately. I pulled back with a deviant smirk.

"Let's go somewhere quiet." I said.