Escaping: A Mafia Romance (The O'Keefe Family Collection #2) by Tuesday Embers, Mary E. Twomey Page A

are starting to pick up, now that people aren’t so afraid to go out anymore. Less illegal substances around to spend money on means they’re putting their dollars in my businesses, which is never a bad thing. You’ve been doing the desserts for the main La Cucina Italia location, and we sell out almost every night. How would you feel about doing the desserts for the entire chain? That one’s got eight locations.”
    Fallyn was taken aback, sitting up straighter at the news he hadn’t brought up yesterday when they were cuddled under their tree. She reached for a response that should’ve been a resounding yes, but felt off to her, though she couldn’t say why in mixed company. “That’s a really generous offer. I’ll have to think about it.”
    Vince took in her careful response with surprise. He was leaned back in his chair, feigning ease, but his ice blue eyes darted to her to show his confusion. “Think about it, eh? What’s there to think about?”
    “Well, I’d need to hire a person just to fill your orders.”
    “You’re not solvent enough for that?” He pointed to the line of customers in disbelief.
    “Let me sleep on it.”
    Killian eyed his sister and tried to nudge her in the right direction. “It’s a really generous offer, Fal. It’d be steady business through the year. Bakeries have seasons where business dwindles, and this would ensure it stays thriving all year long.”
    Fallyn nodded, face serious. “I know all that. I assume the offer won’t expire in my sleep tonight?”
    Vince was floored. “Of course not. Take all the time you need.”
    When the idea had hit him, Vince had been thrilled that finally there was a way for him to ensure her financial stability. Aside from letting him pay for their cheap diner meals, she didn’t let Vince pay for anything. He’d offered to buy her a new car, since hers was six years old and needed a few minor repairs. She’d waved off his generosity and paid to fix up her older car without entertaining his offer. He’d told her he’d pay off her mortgage, but she laughed so hard, he couldn’t convince her he wasn’t joking. He knew he couldn’t buy her expensive jewelry, clothes or purses, lest her brothers find out and trace it back to him. He’d bought one piece of jewelry for her, and was waiting for the right moment to give it to her.
    With that one piece, everything would change – he wasn’t sure how much turmoil would be mixed in with the joy when that last shoe dropped. He kept the pricey trinket tucked in his pocket, hiding it in plain sight from her brothers just to feel the rush of defiance. That she was hesitating at his great idea to merge businesses in a more permanent way didn’t sit well with him. Though he was certain of their love, there was always the looming threat that one thing or another would prove to be too much for her, sending her over the edge and away from his arms that only ever wanted good things for her.
    Carrigan. Vince was sure her hesitance had something to do with the only brother who knew about them. Vince’s fist tightened in his lap as he remained leaned back in his chair. Though her cop brother hadn’t beat on him since that first day he found out, Fallyn had grown cold to the brother she’d once adored. She stopped looking him in the eye, and while Vince could see how much this hurt Carrigan, her brother remained steadfastly against Fallyn’s decision to gamble on a D’Amato. Vince could feel her pulling away in this small act of sleeping on merging their businesses in a more permanent way. His jaw tightened, but he could say nothing with Killian there.
    Then she sealed Vince’s fear when she physically pulled away. Fallyn stood, kissing the top of her brother’s head. “I’ll leave you two cowboys to it, then.”
    Vince grunted in response and then listened with half an ear to Killian’s ideas on how to get the city on a steadier foot. He kept his eye on the door to the backroom, wishing he