Page 49 of Fatal Scheme

“You gave them our weakness, yes, but it could’ve been worse.” I shrug, taking a drink straight from the bottle, forgoing a glass as I let the liquor burn down my throat.

“How so, Ty? I would’ve killed him if you weren’t there,” he says, a threat that I usually deflect, but actually am entertaining for once.

“Maybe that’s exactly what we should do.”

“You’re out of your mind. Where’s the level-headed Tyson who beats my ass after every dinner, hmm? Because this guy … nope, I don’t recognize him.” He stares right into my eyes, likely trying to see if I’m fucking with him, but I’ve never been more serious.

“Maybe I’m just thinking about how we get out, for good. You can’t tell me you haven't been thinking about it, especially because of Carter,” I say honestly, and he nods along, our thoughts echoing each other as we find ourselves on the same page.

“Do you love her?” He asks, catching me off guard, but I know what’s in my heart, whether he feels the same or not.

“You shouldn’t be asking me that.”

“I love her, Ty. I do, more than I ever thought was possible. But I need to know, do you love her, too?” He reveals a softer side that I rarely get to see, and when I look into his eyes, I know he’s telling the truth.

“Yeah. I love her, and for some crazy ass reason, I love her when she’s with you,” I confess, but Massi only smiles, something devilish as he downs another drink.

“Then let’s get the fuck out of this life, for her. Let’s burn it all down?” He proposes, and it’s the easiest question I’ve ever been asked.

“Let’s do it, brother,” I say, holding my hand out to his, and we solidify our plans with a handshake.

I don’t ask how, or who we should spare, ultimately deciding that none of it matters.

As long as the three of us escape unscathed, it’ll all be worth it.

We may be in the middle of a war, but attempting to leave the Family is the scariest battle we’ve ever faced.

Whatever my girl wants, she gets, and tonight is no different as we dress up for a date.

I’m thrilled to have her to myself for a few hours, but Massi’s been moping around all day, clearly jealous that Carter’s mine for the night.

Paying him no mind, I only focus on getting ready, and my meticulous planning has carved out a perfect evening for just the two of us.

Carter requested nothing too fancy, considering this is her first ever date, so I’ve kept it casual with dress pants and a quarter zip polo, ditching the suit I was initially going to wear.

Fastening the silver watch around my wrist, I note that it’s ten minutes until seven, and I quickly make my way to the kitchen, prepared to wait as long as it takes for her to be ready.

“Will you at least bring me home leftovers?” Massi huffs from the opposite side of the room, his pouty face not as charming as he thinks it is.

Before I can answer, the faint sound of heels clicking against the stairs steals my focus, my breaths hitched as she makes her way into the kitchen.

“Well boys, what do we think?” She asks, the same phrase she uses just about every time she gets dressed, and it never gets old.

Her outfit is all black, the fabric standing out against her tan skin as she smiles up at me, holding her hand out for me to take.

Rather than a dress, she’s wearing a low-cut long sleeved shirt, tucked into a pleated skirt, paired with fishnets and high heeled boots that almost reach her knees.

When her palm clasps into mine, my heart skips a beat, and I bend down, kissing her cheek as her eyes flutter shut.

The scent of her signature perfume fills the air, nearly bringing me to my knees, but it’s the way her hair is styled that almost kills me where I stand.

She put her curls into two tiny pigtails, the rest falling down her back, my absolute favorite way she styles it, and she knows it, a smirk crossing her lips as she watches me stare at her.

“You look fucking beautiful, baby girl. I don’t know how I got so lucky,” I say softly, a slight blush creeping along her cheeks as she accepts my compliments.

“You clean up well yourself, Tyson. Is he going to be alright without us?” She lowers her voice, motioning toward Massi, who looks like someone killed his cat.

“I can hear you. You look perfect, like my personal little nightmare,” he groans, finally acknowledging her and stalking across the room, immediately crashing his lips into hers.