𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧.

Family Matters.

(First Edit)

𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐨

"So let me get this straight," Bryce said as he took a seat on the couch. "Chantelle had an affair with a guy twenty two years ago and Uncle Luciano killed him for it. But now we find out he was an undercover police officer and the only reason he was with her was so he could gather inside information on the Sangue Mafia?"

"Yes, that about sums it up," I said wearily as I drank from my whiskey glass. "God what a miserable day it's been. First the issue with Kazimir, then Fredrico's heart attack and now we have a vengeful cop hovering over our heads. Fucking hell."

Tutting sympathetically, Jasmine stood behind the couch and began massaging my shoulders and neck. "I hate to see you so stressed out baby. It makes me want to pull out my gun and shoot someone, consequences be damned."

"Hear that Dean?" Theodore smirked. "She hates it when people stresses out her baby. If you know what's good for you learn how to keep your mouth shut when the situation calls for it. Otherwise you may very well end up with a bullet in your ass."
"I'll keep that in mind," Dean said uneasily.

"So what are we going to do about our new friend?" Felix asked.
"Kill him of course," Damen said immediately. "That man wants to put my father in jail for a crime he committed over two decades ago, who in their right mind would want to keep him alive?"
"We can't kill him," Jasmine said.
"There you go Damen."

Jasmine stopped massaging my shoulders and came to sit. "I know you all think I'm crazy but-"

"You're more than crazy honey," Dean snorted. "You keep hyenas as pets, you find tarantulas, centipedes and scorpions cute, you watch serial killer documentaries, and when Valentino kills someone for touching you you think of it as a romantic gesture. In conclusion, you my dear cousin, are certifiably insane."

"Yes she is. And I love her for it," I said as I kissed her on her hand.
"I know you do, but instead of telling me why not show me," she playfully suggested.
"And I will, but later. Right now we have more pressing matters to deal with. First is the detective. We can't leave him unsupervised."
"I know that. He's a nuisance and I hate him for always speaking so crudely about you but...we can't kill him. He may be a cop but he's also Morgan's father. Both her parents are divorced and it's been hard on her. I listened to her talk in the cafè and I saw the pain in her eyes. If we kill her father she'll be devastated."

I sighed and took her hands in mine. "Jasmine I know you have a soft spot for your friend and you don't want to see her in pain but you have to look at the bigger picture. Killing a cop in New York City is considered a class A felony, murder in the first degree. If Father gets convicted he'll be sentenced to life in prison."
"True but...isn't there a way we can keep him alive without letting Dad go to prison?"

"There is one way," Father mused. "Melvin Andrews is the captain of the 88th precinct and he's been working for our family since he first joined the force. He also has the power to put a stop to any investigation. I'll talk to him and get him to put a leash on his dog. He knows what I'm capable of so he won't put up a fight."

"Is Captain Andrews another piece on your chessboard Dad?" Jasmine grinned.
"One of many my dear. Captain Andrews is my knight and Judge Simmons is my rook. Both are vital pieces that I must keep in my corner no matter what."

"If Captain Andrews is your knight and Judge Simmons is your rook why not get yourself a bishop as well? The police commissioner is the highest ranking official in the police department, if we were to get one of those on our side wouldn't it make things easier for us in the long run?"

Father let out a hearty laugh and patted Jasmine on her knee. "How ambitious my daughter-in-law is. Instead of hunting deer she's targeting mountain lions." Then he turned to me. "You see my son? Your father knew what he was doing when he told you this marriage was a good idea. Your wife is every bit as ruthless and calculative as you are. Maybe more so."