Exploding: A Mafia Romance (The O'Keefe Family Collection #1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

everything above board?”
    Fallyn raised her chin defiantly, knowing her sass made her look every bit the twelve years younger than him she was. “Our family never dealt.”
    His lower lip tightened. “I’m well aware. I was talking about the loan sharking. None of that going on through here?”
    Fallyn took a steadying breath. “Killian’s moving the family business away from sharking so he can dole out more reasonable loans, and I was never involved in any of that when we did. You know that. It’s just a bakery, nothing more.”
    “We stopped dealing, too. I was just checking.”
    “You can check with Killian. You know he’s in charge.”
    “Yes, but I can tell if you’re lying to me or not. With them, it’s anybody’s guess. I want things to stay peaceful. With one look, you’re an open book.” He motioned around the kitchen. “More things like this happening is what I want.” He lowered his gaze to hers, piercing her with his icy stare that was both scrutinizing and superior. “Joey told me he was here last week. Did he cause any trouble?”
    “No, but he probably should stay away for a bit. He showed up fishing for trouble, and Danny and Carrigan almost gave him exactly that.”
    Vince narrowed his eyes at her, cocking his head to the side. “You’re giving me advice? Little Keefer’s telling the D’Amato in charge how to handle his people?”
    “You sound like a pompous prick when you talk like that,” she warned him with a hint of exasperation in her tone, her angst giving way to her personality she could no longer keep at bay under the guise of professionalism. “Look, I don’t care if Joey eats here, but you know how my brothers can be.” She leaned her hip on the counter and crossed her arms over her ample bosom. “If you’re really interested in keeping the peace, Joey hanging around here isn’t the best way to make that happen. Your call, though. He’s your brother.”
    Vince nodded once, his mouth drawn in a tight line. “I’ll see to it he stays away until things between our sides are more stable.”
    “Good call, boss.” Fallyn tossed him a small smile, which he returned. They were both a little surprised that they were able to speak so candidly. Things had not always been so simple and straightforward, but without the pressure from the members of their families who were always begging for war, they were able to have a real conversation. “Have a seat, Vince.”
    “I’m good here.”
    Fallyn rolled her eyes and pointed to the stool near the island in the center of the kitchen. “I’m not going to Columbian necktie you. Just sit down and try something for me.”
    Vince examined the stool and dusted it off before indulging her. “Everything in your kitchen is covered in flour. It’s a wonder you can find the sink at all.”
    Fallyn plated a freshly baked éclair and handed it to him. “Try it. Just made it a few minutes ago. You brought me flowers, so you can have my peace offering. Then we’re square.”
    Vince examined the pastry to see if it had suspect intentions. “Did you do anything to this?”
    Fallyn leaned over so her face was a foot from his, her eyes on his level so he could see there was no lie in her intentions. “I made it with my own hands. If you turn that down, I’ll take it as an insult, and you can wear your flowers and the éclair home, boss man.”
    Vince scrutinized her face for tells, not taking his eyes from hers as he took his first bite. It was only the taste of fresh cream and warm ganache that tore his gaze from her. “Wow. What’s in this? I mean, it’s no cannoli, but it’s good.”
    Fallyn scoffed. “Good? I’ll show you good. One day, I’ll make you a cannoli so amazing, you’ll swear it came straight from Italy.”
    “An Irish girl making cannolis? I’ll believe it when I see it.” He shoved the entire remainder of the pastry in his mouth, groaning in satisfaction just to make her smile.
    “That’s more like it,” she