Never Say Never (Vitale Brothers, #4)

by Brea Alepoú

"Mr. Washington, where are we going?" Shelly asked, her voice shaky.

"Where are you taking us?" I asked finally. "Somewhere safe. Protected." "My place was protected." "Not like this," Paul answered. "Daddy," Navy called. "What happened to those men?" "Enough!" I snapped. "Everyone be quiet."

I was a horrible fucking father. "It's okay," Paul said softly as he glanced back at them. "We're almost there, and guess what? I'll be right there with you guys,

"Well, those bad guys want to hurt him, so we have to keep him safe. Can you two do that with me? Can you be brave and protect your daddy with me?" "Yes," Navy answered with Nyra nodding along.

"Thank you,"

"Everything will be fine, you ha...

"Cut the shit," I snapped. "What the fuck is going on?" "It's a long story," he muttered. "One I've been trapped inside of for years. Trust me, this wasn't something I wanted either." "You certainly pursued it."

"I had a car accident years ago,"

"Everyone thought I was dead. My family saw an opportunity and took it. They made me ‘die’ and I became someone else. Paul Gallo. Everything I did, entering the academy, learning, solving cases, that was all me. I worked h...

"You want a pat on the back, you fuc...

"I know that you're...

"You have no fucking idea what I am." "Okay, okay," he said, holding up his hands. "This wasn't my idea. My family wanted me to do it. You protect your family, right? Look what...

"You wouldn't kill f...

"You liked bashing that man's brains in," I said, disgust dripping into my voice. "I watched you smile." "We all have our issues." "Understatement of the goddamn year," I growled. "York." He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I know you hate my family, and trust me, the feeling is definitely mutual. But if I tell them to keep you safe, they will."

"Where the fuck are we?" "My brother owns this penthouse. Most of it is filled with people who work for us." "Soldiers." "Yeah." Paul sighed.

"You brought me and my girls to a mobster's home?" I asked in disbelief. "Are you fucking high...

"Don't," he said. "I can keep you safe here. This is the only place I could think of where eyes will be on us twenty-four-seven. We'r...

"Give me my phone." "I needed to destroy it," Paul said. "Yeah? And I need to explain why I'll be gone before I end up being implicated with your bullshit. You saving my life means shit if I end up behind bars because someone thinks I'm out here helping the Vitales."

"Let's go." Paul yanked me back. "I know I owe you so many explanations."

"You don't owe me shit," I snapped. "I get it. You were sent to seduce your boss and learn all his secrets, right? Tell me, Paul, did you kill Marianna and her husband?" Paul flinched. "It wasn't like that!" He paused and slowly removed his hand from me. "She was a rat."

"Don't ever fucking touch me again," I whispered in his ear. "I detest you."

"Jesus, Benito," Paul said. "Girls, go inside with Shelly. The rooms are fully furnished, but I'll have to make some changes, of course. Unless you two don't mind sharing a bed."

nanny. "Take my daughter's inside. Now. Thank you." "Of course, Mr. Washington." "Mr. Washington," Benito muttered. "You're fucking joking, Gianpaolo."

"Listen, I'll explain later," Paul, no, Gianpaolo, told Benito. "I swear." "How are you two related?" I blurted out. "We're brothers," Paul finally said.

I blinked at him. A brother.

"You're fucking joking," I muttered. "Seriously," Benito said. "Your boss?" "I'm guessing he knows all about me,"

"Sure do," Benito answered. "I know you want us wiped out." "You have no idea,"

"He wants me dead," I growled at Paul. "Oh, if I wanted you dead, you would be dead already," Benito said.

"Stop it," Paul snapped. "It wasn't him that sent those guys after you. It was the Acetos and Triads. They've been working together and they found out who I was. And who you were. I don't know how. All I know is that they have people in the department who work for them too." "I don't believe a damn thing you say,"

"And I already told you not t...

"Wow, this is a fuck-up of epic proportions, Paolo. What the fuck are we supposed to do now? He's going to run his damn mouth." "I really am," I said. "You know what happens to rats,...

is the last time I'm going to tell you this," I said as I straightened up, feeling every inch of my six-foot-six height. "Do not touch me. The next time you put your filthy fingers on me, I'll break them." "You don't mean that." I laughed. "Yeah, I do."

you think that doing this will save you? I want you to know that the moment all of this is said and done, I plan to resume my job. You and your brothers will rot in a tiny little cell, and not even the same one. I will have your goddamn lives crushed into nothing but powder."

can't let you do that." "You don't have a choice." "I prom...

"I get that you're pissed off and hurt⁠—" "Never that," I said, echoing words...

"But it wasn't my intention to hurt you. My family still means everything to me. I will do whatever it takes to protect them, York." His ey...

"I'm sorry," Paul said. I laughed. "You don't know the meaning of that word, Paul." I grimaced. "Gianpaolo."

"No. I'm not leaving your side."

"I'm not leaving,"

"Don't talk as if I haven't told you I hate your fucking guts," I spat. "You hate my guts. Noted. Groceries will be delivered soon, as well as some essentials. I even have someone bringing pictures of Dawn from the apartment and any important memorabilia." I stared at him in shock and disgust. "You have those... thugs in my home?"

"Those thugs are cutting up and disposing of two bodies,"

"And cleaning it up to look like they were never there. I told you I'd protect you, York. I mean that. Every word."

"Paolo, we need to talk." When he saw the knife in my hand, he drew a gun. "Put it down." "No,"

"I will shoot you." "I don't doubt that," I answered.

"I already told both of you to knock this shit off. I don't need you to check on me, Benito."

"As soon as this thing with the Triads is done, he's going to come for you. You have to know that."

"Yeah, I do," he said. "He just said as much. ...

"It matters to me," he snapped. "He's going to try to burn us all, and I won't have that. Why the hell sh...

"I gave you decades of my life, Benito. Don't forget that. I might be this family's whipping boy, but remember that I haven't had a life in years. This is the one thing I'm asking. Protect them." "They should be running far away from her...

"No one gets to decide what happens to York and my girls,"