Page 8 of Revenge of Sin

I shake my head.

His voice is barely contained.“I need words.”

Fine.“No, he didn’t hurt me.”I don’t tell him the man only wants the same thing that Vincenzo does, that the whole damn criminal underworld probably wants.Bastian knew exactly what he was doing putting a bounty of that many dollars on my head.

He ensured without a doubt that anyone coming in contact with me, realizing who I was, would be enticed to turn me over without a second’s hesitation.Money talks, especially an amount like that.And he knew it would mean if I were alive, I’d never remain hidden or safe.

Vincenzo doesn’t move and doesn’t look like he’s planning to anytime soon.I inhale a deep breath summoning perhaps more courage than I have.“When are you planning to turn me over to Bastian?”

His dark brow arches.“You wound me deeply, princessa.You still believe I have ill intentions?”

I shrug.“I know what I heard, Vincenzo.And you kind of confirmed it the moment you had me drugged and kidnapped.I’m clearly in your penthouse above the club and casino, right?You deny any of that?”

He contemplates what I’ve said for a moment.“You’ve made up your mind.I don’t know if denying it would do any good.But I do know that you’re not leaving the confines of my home until I know for certain that you’re safe.”

There’s a part of me deep inside that wants to believe him, cling to the idea that he’s keeping me confined and away from my family for some reason that’s honorable, but I’m not the dumb naïve girl I once was with Barcelo.Delz’s voice plays over and over in my mind.Trust no one.

I won’t let the same thing that occurred with Barcelo happen twice.“Surely you don’t think I’m that gullible.Did they get delayed?Just biding your time?You just want to get me to trust you again so you can finish what you started and fuck me this time?”

His eyes darken.“If memory serves you were a warm and willing partner, princessa.If I had wanted to take you that night, you were more than willing to oblige.”

My cheeks heat with indignation.Maybe I did like it, crave it even.I’m not about to let him know he has that power over me.“That doesn’t mean you’re going to get into my pants again.It was a mistake.”

His eyes narrow, assessing me so closely I can barely breathe as he gets closer.Just thinking about his lips and tongue down below causes my center to tingle.“No matter how willing I was before.I know better than to trust you now.You’re a DeLuca, and a liar.”

The enemy bends, leaning so close that I can smell the minty aroma of his toothpaste and the fresh scent of his soap.His breath floats across the delicate shell of my ear causing a shiver to run down the length of my spine.“I’m going to do more than get in your pants.I’m going to make you beg me to touch you, princessa.But only when I’m ready,” he says before heading straight for the door, closing it, and clicking the lock into place.

5

Vincenzo

The look on her face as she watched me squeeze that fuck’s throat won’t leave my mind for a long fucking time.My jaw tightens with regret.Pissed at myself for causing that look.I should have known better than to do it in front of Anna knowing firsthand the damage that Barcelo Gallini did almost choking her to death.My mind drifts back to the broken angel lying in chains and left for dead just over six months ago.

It quickens my steps as I make my way downstairs, out the private exit from the casino, and into the sleek black limousine parked at the curb.Terry gives me a glance in the rearview.He already knows where we’re going, I know Nicolo has the asshole who dared put hands on Anna waiting in chains.But still he asks.“Where to boss?”

“Warehouse.”

I’m in no mood for small talk, my mind spinning with thoughts of Anna, her mistrust of me and my family, and outright denial of the attraction that anyone with a fucking brain knows exists.

She can deny it all she wants but we both know she wanted to go to the lower level of DeLuca X Club as much as I wanted to take her to the playroom.The only thing stopping me from fucking her into oblivion after I made her come all over my face was wanting her to know exactly who I was first.

Fuck chivalry to hell.Now she just thinks I’m a liar and said it right to my face.I swear that woman has not one ounce of self-preservation in her delectable little body.

This damn life.My blood races with fury.So close to having the angel of my dreams and this life, this organization steps in once again and fucks it all to hell.

Usually, Nicolo and I use the soldiers for the rough stuff at the warehouse, leaving enough room between them and us for plausible deniability.Thunder rumbles deep in my chest, a fury not only at the fuck face who threatened Anna but with myself for making her remember all her trauma again.

But our soldier, the one who thought a billion-dollar payday was better than loyalty to my family and threatened my angel, he’s going to be the recipient of every bit of my rage tonight.

The warehouse, where we keep all the rats, the enemies we capture for interrogation, and any other fucker who crosses our family in a vie for territory, money, or power comes into view.

As we get closer my younger brother by a year steps out of a black caddy parked close to the entrance.His step is unusually fast.Something’s wrong with Nicolo.

Terry stops the car as Nicolo walks quickly toward us.A formidable underboss and my very best friend.He slides in beside me.“Drive, Terry.”

My brow furrows.“The fuck?”

“You’re too fucking close to this, way too hot over this situation and emotionally invested.We need information, you’ll kill him.”