Page 18 of Revenge of Sin

Self-preservation and years of training kick in, spurring me to move.

I move closer to the door leading from my bedroom to the penthouse living room, listening quietly to the men on the other side.“Maybe when he gets here instead of just talking and negotiating, it’s time to hand her over.”

“Quiet, she’ll hear you.”Vincenzo growls.I put my ear to the heavy door, straining to make out what they’re saying because now they both havemy full attention.

“Perhaps it’s time this charade of yours is out in the open.How long are you going to pretend that they’re not coming, that they won’t be here soon?”Nicolo, I recognize that voice from the other day.Scary, intense and fiercely protective of his brother and family.

“When they get here, we’ll deal with it.Until then, she doesn’t need to know anything about it.What’s the point, Nicolo?She’ll be terrified, for what end?In time, there will be no secrets, capisce?”

“I don’t understand the play, Vincenzo.”

“You will.The whole world will in very short order.I have to jump on a call with Gianni and Agosto.Can you stay here, keep an eye on her for me?”

“Sure, why don’t I babysit for you?”Nicolo says.

The door clicks and I can only assume that Vincenzo has left.This is my chance to learn more, maybe even get out that door.I test the knob and open the door tentatively, half afraid of what mood I’ll find his brother in and half anxious that he’ll walk out of the penthouse before I have a chance to talk to him.

Nicolo stands at the windows looking out over the vast blue sky of the Atlantic Ocean but turns toward the sound as I open the door completely.“It’s a great view,” I say quietly, walking into the room.

He doesn’t turn away, just assesses me like he’s trying to figure out a puzzle.Well join the club buddy.“It is indeed,” he says.“I’m sorry if we woke you.I thought Vincenzo had your door locked.”

I shrug.“The person who brought breakfast probably forgot to lock it, Vincenzo never does.I grew up with a bunch of Italian hotheads.Uncles, cousins, me and Sophia were always running into some disagreement or another.I’ll survive without a little sleep.”I gesture to the door.“Vincenzo left?Do you know for how long?”

He sighs.“It won’t be long, I’m sure.We have things to deal with.”

Anger blooms in my chest at his casual reference to me being handed over like a piece of meat and it makes me brave.“Yes, things, like handing me over to the enemy, and cashing in on a billion-dollar payday.”

Nicolo’s eyes widen.

“Oh, sorry to spoil Vincenzo’s secret.Yes, once he hands me over the entire world will know.”

His eyes go dark as coal.I fear I’ve gone too far or that he really didn’t know the extent of the intended exchange even though based on the argument with his brother just shortly ago, I’m pretty sure he knows.“Your brother was delaying the exchange.You know, having a little fun with thepackage, because why not?He was so good at it that I started to think that maybe, just maybe he wouldn’t be able to do it.”

His jaw locks so tight that I may have hit a nerve.Maybe I can goad him into telling me something useful, something that can help me get out of here or at least give me a little bit of leverage with his brother.

“Now that he’s had his fun, maybe now there’s no reason for this mysterious delay, no?Let whoever is coming for me, come.Just tell me one thing.How can you and your brother sleep at night?I thought the DeLuca name was dirt before meeting you both, now, more than dirt, scum, not even as good as dirt.”

Nicolo’s dark eyes penetrate me with the intensity of a man who doesn’t suffer fools or waste any time at all.I’m pretty sure if he had his way he’d do everything in his power to get rid of me after all the trouble I’ve managed to cause.

When he speaks his voice is lower somehow, controlled but more dangerous than before.“You would do well to keep your opinions to yourself, Ms.Cassone.My brother has done nothing but save your life and protect you from the moment you met.He’s willing to bring his family to war to fight the men coming for you.”

My mouth gapes and it takes effort to grasp what he just said, my mind rewinding bits and pieces of conversation but nothing is crystal clear, it’s all a blur of information that doesn’t make a bit of sense.

He stalks closer, eliminating the distance between us in two large strides, glaring down at me.“Do you really think he’d put his family at risk for a good fuck?He can get that any night of the week, any time he wants.”

His jaw twitches, and at first it looks like he’s going to say more but decides against it.Heturns on the heel of his dress shoe and walks out the penthouse door, locking it into place without even a backward glance.

My chest feels tight with the magnitude of all that is at stake.The sheer weight of the situation does not fully sink in until he’s gone, and I’m left standing alone trying to comprehend everything that I just heard.

Hours later,I’m still mulling what Nicolo said around in my mind and trying to make sense of everything I heard Vincenzo say over the course of the time I’ve been with him.The only one who can clear this up is the dark-haired devil himself but of course he won’t be around until it’s time to play.

My face flushes trying to recall each and every word Vincenzo said on that phone call at the casino right before I ran.I walk to the window and press my face against the cool of the glass, feeling sick to my stomach.I head to the refrigerator, feeling like an invader but starving for something to eat and grab a couple of pieces of string cheese to tide me over until lunch.

As hard as I try, all the words seem jumbled now, what he did say, what he didn’t say, what I think I heard or swear he said.Now, I’m not sure exactly what I heard.I just know that it scared me like nothing else has since Barcelo.

My eyes open wide.No, he did know who I was.He’s the one that Massimo sent in to get me from Barcelo’s hideout.A debt to pay is all Massimo had said when I asked him why a DeLuca.The night we met at the casino, how handsome he looked in his dark suit and mask for the masquerade.

Vincenzo could have told me who he was right then and there but didn’t.I inhale a deep breath, confusion, recounts of what happened, lies and truth all mingling into a ginormous mess that leaves me more confused and frustrated than before.