The One (Untouchables Mafia Series Book 3)

When Riley and Nikolai come in, everyone seems tense. “Hey.” I walk over and give Riley a hug. She gives me a tight squeeze back.

“How are you?”

“I’m good,” I reassure her. “Are you okay?”

“Great.” She gives me a smile, but it doesn’t meet her eyes. She’s acting strange. I glance over to Nikolai, wondering if they’re fighting. He gives me a chin nod, which is his normal greeting to most people that aren’t Riley.

“Sorry my family pulled you into whatever mess this is.” She wouldn’t have become involved in all this if I hadn’t invited her over.

“It’s fine, really.” Riley glances behind me. “Is that a kitten?”

“Yes.” I laugh, pulling her to follow me into the kitchen. The men linger behind. “I’m making pancakes. Do you want some?”

“Sure,” Riley says, picking up the kitten. “What’s its name?”

‘It’s a boy, and I’m still working on it. Abel said that I could name him.”

“Abel?” Nikolai coughs. “That’s your name?”

“Fuck off,” Abel mutters, then returns to his coffee. I go back to cooking, but the kitchen is oddly quiet.

“So, ah.” I try to find something to fill the silence. “Anything new?” Riley’s cheeks flush, the same way they do when we talk about our romance books and there is a sex scene. The two of us are going to have to get a few minutes alone.

Riley and I start bouncing kitten names back and forth. The men only sit quietly. Every now and then, Abel will pull out his phone and check something before putting it away again. He seems like he’s on edge, which is weird being that he knows Nikolai.

“Does anyone want to talk about what happened?” I pose this question as I place the last of the food on the kitchen island. Everyone starts to make a plate. Abel doesn’t have a dining room table, but there are enough chairs for everyone to eat here. Riley and Nikolai glance over at Abel. “What is going on?” There is this weird tension. “Did something bad happen?”

“Here.” Abel plucks me from my chair, placing me on his lap. Nikolai looks at Abel like he’s grown a second head.

“Tell me,” I push. I don’t like the feeling of being left out. I’ve gotten enough of that in life. I don’t want that with Abel. With Riley either; she’s my friend.

“Your father isn’t a good man, Angel.”

‘I know that.’ I let out a sarcastic laugh. Are any politicians?

“Neither is your brother,” Riley adds.

“Yeah, I know that too.” My brother has had a fascination with Riley since she started at our school. She was new but also wouldn’t give him the time of day. That isn’t something he’s used to.

‘I really don’t believe you fucking do.’ Nikolai says this, shaking his head. Oddly, if you were to look at my brother and Nikolai next to each other, you’d think Nikolai to be the more likely to be a jerk. He’s always in all black and covered in tattoos.

“Watch your tone when you’re talking to her.” Abel levels Nikolai with a stare. I lean back into Abel, enjoying having someone stand up for me. I’ve never really had that before. He’s taking watching over me very seriously, but I pray it’s more than that. His arm around me tightens.

“Your brother attacked me,” Riley cuts in, diverting everyone’s attention to her.

“What!” I gasp at Riley.

“Don’t forget the sick-in-the-head girlfriend.” Nikolai adds.

“Becky?! What the hell? Like together they attacked you?” I knew Becky had it out for Riley, but I’m shocked she went after her again after Nikolai nearly choked her to death the last time. I mean, how dumb can a person be?

“Look at me.” Abel draws my attention to him. “Your brother and his girlfriend like to play sick games with people. Especially with young girls.” Oh God. My stomach turns. Their relationship has always been odd.

“How sick?” I swallow. In the back of my mind, I know how he can be. I grew up with him. He was my twin, but he always gave me a creepy feeling. He found pleasure in frightening me. I started to believe he enjoyed hearing me scream.

“As sick as you can imagine.”

“Think Barbie and Ken turned killer,” Nikolai fills in. Tears sting in my eyes.

“And they went after you?” Riley nods her head. “I’m so sorry,” I whisper. “Is that what happened yesterday?” She nods her head yes again. “This is all my fault. I’m so sorry. I lured you right to them.” Guilt forms in the pit of my belly.

“Hey.” Riley reaches over and grabs my hand. “This isn’t on you.”

‘It’s kind of because of you that we figured this out.’ Nikolai takes a bite of his food. Obviously, talking about people being killers and God knows what else is not affecting his appetite. While I’ve lost mine completely.

“What do you mean?” I question. Nikolai only takes another bite of his food, avoiding giving me an answer.

“I found out,” Abel finally says. “When I was digging around.”

“Digging around?” I’m so confused. What was Abel digging around for?

“We look into anyone that might be close to our circle.” This time Nikolai answers.

“Hold on.” Abel stands, placing me in his chair, and leaves the kitchen. Riley gives me a sad smile. He comes back a few minutes later with some pictures. “All missing and connected to your brother and his girlfriend.” Abel places some photos in front of me. I swipe at the tears that run down my cheeks.

“So, then what? Did he get arrested or what?” I close my eyes. “Please don’t tell me that my father got him off or something.” I could see that. This would be so bad for my father’s reputation. If my brother is some sicko and the news of what he did got out, I’m sure my father’s days in politics would be over.

“Not yet.” Abel speaks softly, like he’s trying not to spook me.

“Not yet!” I jump up from my seat. “Then, where is my brother?”

“We don’t know.” Nikolai’s words drip with anger.

“I’m sure my brother-in-law knows where he is.” Riley tries to calm everyone down.

“Wait. Why would he know?” They all look at me as though I’ve just asked the most ridiculous question they’ve ever heard.

“My sister is married to Matteo Cattaneo.”

Holy fuck. Of course I know that name. Everyone does. I’ve even heard my father say it more than a few times.

“Isn’t he kind of like a mob boss? A criminal?” I take a step back. What the hell is happening? This is all insane.

“Least he’s not assaulting girls and killing them.” Nikolai utters this before taking another bite of his meal. Riley elbows him in the side. “What? Like her family is much better.”

“Hey.” Abel’s hand comes down on my hip. I turn to face him.

“Where do you fit into all of this?”

“I’m here to make sure you’re safe. That no one hurts you while this all plays out.” I step into him, wanting his comfort.

“What is my father doing? Does he know I’m gone? Is he trying to find my brother?” I’m not sure what my father would do with Brent. I’m sure he doesn’t want his secrets to get out.

“We’re going to wait. See how some things play out,” Abel tells me.

“And I get to stay here with you while we’re waiting.”

“You’re staying right here,” he confirms.

“Okay,” I agree. I honestly don’t want to know any more right now. This is already so much to take in. I rest my head on Abel’s chest. He wraps his arms around me, holding me close.

I trust Abel will keep me safe.