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He was still livid, and nothing I said would dim his rage.
“You know why I’m here.”
He didn’t confirm it or deny it.
“Have you told her family?” I’d never met either of the Barsetti brothers in person, but I knew them by reputation. I was certain they knew me by reputation as well. They wouldn’t like me sleeping with one of their own, not when I was rumored to be the cruelest man in the center of the country.
“No.”
“Good choice. I don’t need to tell you they’re no match for me. I’ve warned Carmen what I’d do to her family if she ever got them involved. I’m not the kind of man that kills for sport. I kill for a reason. And the Barsettis have respectable blood that has reigned in these parts for generations. I don’t want to kill them—but I will.”
His eyes narrowed slightly, his blue eyes looking like piercing shards. “Carmen is my sister. She’s my family. I will protect her at any cost. You may be a powerful man, but don’t forget who you’re dealing with.”
I’d always admired Bones. Unlike other men, he didn’t pretend to be unafraid. He truly was unafraid. “Yes, you’re a very talented killer. But you don’t own the world like I do. It’s an unfair match, and we both know it. Round up your boys, and you’re still outnumbered a hundred to one.”
“You’re my only target. Once you’re dead, I don’t need to worry about anything else.”
The threats were rising, the testosterone was brimming. The situation escalated so quickly because neither one of us would back down. “I’ll be frank with you, Bones. I don’t want to hurt any of you because it would hurt Carmen. She loves all of you very much.”
“I know she does.”
“Then the best way to keep the peace is to keep your mouth shut.”
“I’ve never been much of a talker, but that’s unlikely.” His kept his arms by his sides, only wearing a t-shirt despite the nearly freezing temperature. Vapor escaped his nostrils and rose in the light. “Is she a prisoner? Do you hurt her?” He tensed his jaw as he waited for me to answer, preparing for the worst but hoping for the best. Despite our illegal backgrounds, we were both honest men. Truly formidable adversaries never told a lie because they were never afraid of the repercussions.
The questions were fair, but they offended me anyway. “I would never hurt her. Her safety is my priority. I protect her, take care of her, and adore her.” I held his gaze as I gave him the answer, unafraid of the depth of my feelings for this woman. “And she’s not a prisoner. We agreed to a three-month arrangement. She insists I’m not the right man for her, that I’m not the man who will give her a marriage and four children. When our time is over, we’ll walk away from each other.”
Bones’s anger slowly decreased. “You’ll let her go when that time comes?”
I was a man of my word. “Yes.”
He couldn’t hide the relief that swept across his face.
“But I don’t think it will come to that. As hard as it is to believe, that woman wants me. She loves my protection, my power, and my wealth. I’m the kind of man she’s always wanted but never found. I’m the only one who has proved I’m worthy of her. When the time comes, she won’t leave.”
His anger flared up again. “You’ll never be good enough for Carmen Barsetti. I warned you to stay away from her, but you didn’t listen to me.”
“We both know I don’t listen to anyone,” I said coldly.
“Even if she wanted to stay, her family would never approve. I’m sure you’ve noticed how close they are by now.”
“And yet, they accept you.” It was a low blow, but also a valid point. “You killed people for a living. I just make money.”
Bones didn’t rise to the insult. “You’re surrounded by the monsters of the underworld. As long as she’s involved with you, she’ll never be safe. My occupation and my personal life were distinctly separate.”
“But your wife was captured and taken to Morocco.”
Bones didn’t ask how I knew that. “Don’t talk about my wife again.”
Clearly, Vanessa was his only hot button. “I’ll cut to the chase. Are you going to be a problem?” Bones wouldn’t lie to me because his reputation was founded on his honesty.
“Since it’s going to be over soon, I’ll keep it to myself. As long as you aren’t hurting her and she has a way out, then I don’t see the necessity of involving her family. It’ll lead to a war, and lives will be lost. It’s better this way.”
I was glad he wasn’t going to be difficult. “Like I said, she’s not going to leave me.”
“She’s a smart woman. She knows staying with you isn’t an option.”
