Sleeping With the Enemy

Chapter Fifty Two

When I was a kid, I always dreamed about this day. The day that Sadie and I would rule alongside of each other, the two us working so smoothly and in sync as we took our place at the head of the family. For a long time, I didn't think there was a shot in hell we would make it here, but here we are, and it's better than I ever could have imagined.

Seeing her in action is almost surreal. She brings a calm and rationale to me and to the team, taking the logical side of my usual trial-by-fire ways. While force and heavy-handedness have they're place in the mafia, Sadie brings a unique piece to the puzzle that I didn't even realize we were missing. 

Her plan worked like magic. It was quiet and smooth, and exactly what we needed in such a high profile situation. Ro vetted a whole list of guys and we landed on a man named Tom Baker from South Carolina. The guy was a clean-cut gym teacher with a spotless record and usually wouldn't be caught dead breaking any rules. Everybody has their price, though, and once we flashed that money in front of him, he was more than happy to help. I left the details out as I explained the job to him, just in case it ever got out, but at this point, I was confident no one would ever be able to tie this back to us. His next court date won't be for a few months, and by the time that rolls around, everyone will think he jumped bail and crossed the border somewhere. He'd set us up perfectly for that. We even provided the teacher with a fake identity so that he wouldn't be in trouble for Herrera not showing up, and everyone except Herrera would be off scoff free.

By the time I get up, Sadie is already out on the patio, leaning over the railing with a cup of coffee. Her gaze is set out over the skyline, and she keeps tapping her ceramic mug with nerves. When I open the sliding door, she doesn't even flinch.

"Good morning." Wrapping my arm around her waist, I brush a kiss across her cheek. "How did you sleep?"

"Not great." She admits, with a shallow breath. "I just can't turn my mind off."

"You don't have to do this, you know." I say. "You've done your part. We never would have been able to bring him in without you, and if you want to stay home and leave this to the rest of the guys, no one would blame you. This part gets..."

Gruesome. Monstrous. Sickening. Gory. I have a love-hate relationship with this part. I love seeing justice served and people pay for the horrifying crimes they'd committed, and I know it will be even sweeter watching Herrera suffer. But this is the darker side of the mafia. Of me. It isn't easy for anyone to watch, and it's only gotten harder for me since Sadie came back. This is the side of things I want to protect her from, and this morning, I'll be leading her straight into the fire.

Sadie presses her lips together, shaking her head. "No, I need to see it through. Herrera is my battle and I need to do this for me. And for my parents. And for all of the lives he's ruined." 

I hold her tight against my body, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "I'm really proud of you, you know that?"

"Why? Because I've finally joined the dark side?" She groans, rolling her eyes. Sadie's having a tough time coming to terms with how she feels lately, and I've done my best to give her some space as she processes.