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“I’ll take that as a threat, which surprises me.” He grinned, acting as if my words meant nothing to him.
“I never make threats. I would have thought you’d know that by now. I make promises.” I’d drawn two lines in the sand tonight. I couldn’t wait to see which asshole crossed one of them first.
“Ah, yes, the hired gun of a worthless man from LA. Right? You’ll never be anything other than a hired gun and you certainly don’t live up to your father’s reputation.”
If the man was trying to goad me into reacting, he was failing. Although if anyone else had made such an egregious statement, they’d already have a bullet between their eyes.
Friend or foe.
“Be careful, Dante, your jealousy is showing. That doesn’t bode well for a supposed leader. Remember what’s most important is also what can be used against you. I happen to be the best at evening the score. But on my terms. My time.” I never put my enemies on notice. I was playing an entirely different game. Dante and I were far too much alike, although his heightened level of testosterone was behind the majority of his decisions. That would push him into rattling chains, which would translate into doing something stupid.
“Another threat. I find that most disconcerting.” He threw back the rest of his champagne, his grin returning. Yet I noticed the flash of concern in his eyes.
“As I said before. Not a threat at all.” I noticed Cayman had made his way through the room, the smug look on his face indicating he had information to provide. “I would love meeting your future bride, but maybe I’ll take a taste instead. There’s nothing like the sweet taste of a virgin.”
Making the comment was crass of me, lower than I usually went, but the man had rubbed me the wrong way since we’d met in college. What I also hadn’t anticipated was his response.
“Unfortunately, neither one of us would have that pleasure. She’s soiled goods. I’m doing her family a favor.”
His words irritated me immediately, my rage flaring, I almost lost my cool, starting the battle prematurely. I wanted to smash his face into the brick exterior, crushing his spine then cutting off his limp dick. He didn’t deserve to be in the same room as someone like Chrissy. And he certainly wouldn’t have a chance to soil her any further than he believed she’d been.
My original statement to the beautiful dove had returned and would remain.
She. Was. Mine.
Not because this was a game or because of what I would achieve in taking her from the pig standing in front of me but because I adored her. My feelings and desires hadn’t ceased. No, they’d grown stronger with time.
“The value of a woman isn’t in the flesh of her being but in the brilliance of her mind and the love in her heart. Once you realize that, Dante, maybe you’ll be able to handle advancing to the throne. That’s the single reason your father never advanced from being a common criminal, a bug to squash under my boot.” I turned my head toward him, staring into his eyes. “And I’ll enjoy eliminating every cockroach in your organization. Have a wonderful party.”
I placed the champagne glass on one of the trays, leaving the restaurant without a second look. Before I headed across the street, Cayman joined me.
“Where is she?” I asked once we’d reached the other side.
“You were right. She was removed from the premises. Don’t worry, boss. The car is being followed.”
I nodded, draining the rest of my bubbly. “Alright. I want to know where she’s taken. Then we wait and watch for the right time for me to risk talking to her. If I can’t get that, I’ll just take her.”
He grinned. “You’re getting more formidable in your old age.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Either that or you’re in love.”
Laughing, we both headed for the car. Love wasn’t something I’d expected, nor did I believe in second chances. Maybe all the fables he’d learned from his mother were true.
Fate had provided me with the only destiny possible.
And God help me if I fucked it up again.
CHAPTER 19
“Then move not, while my prayer’s effect I take. Thus from my lips, by yours, my sin is purged.”
—Romeo
Francesco
My father had told me that fate would be cruel or absent but that it would never be kind. I’d never thought of so many of my father’s statements as I had during the last few days. Now I knew the reason.
