AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I can’t let that happen again, no matter how good it felt. No matter how right it felt. I break beautiful things. I ruin them. And I refuse to ruin her when all I want to do is fucking protect someone for once.
I caught myself getting too much into shit that I shouldn’t ever speak out loud. Something about her makes me want to be honest with her. I don’t like it. I really fucking don’t. But it’s a feeling, and it’s there.
I’m having Giana sit with her so she isn’t alone while I run out on necessary business that I don’t have the privilege of postponing.
I feel like I’m breaking all of my rules when it comes to this woman.
And damn it if I don’t hate myself for it.
Dom, Matteo, and I approach the banker’s office. I let myself in because I’m in the fucking mood to rip somebody’s eyeballs out and shove them up their goddamn asshole after the conversation I’ve had with Ev. Not because she did anything, but because I need to remember who I am.
A bad fucking man.
An unworthy fucking man.
The type of man I told her I am.
I fucking lie and cheat and steal and con—and above all else…
I kill.
“RoyfuckingUnderwood!” I express fake excitement while the three of us walk into his office, and Dom flicks the lock on the door once he’s closed it. “Just the man I wanted to see,” I continue as the feeling that something is not quite right starts to register on his face.
He’s a short guy, probably all of…I don’t know…five foot four at the most. Skinny, too. The kind of skinny that looks like he needs to drink a fucking protein shake.
“Fellas,” Roy starts, but I slap my hand against the oak desk that separates us, and the noise causes him to stop short and jump.
Matteo and I take a seat, and Dom stands in the corner, assessing from afar.
“I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure,” Roy tries again.
“I’m just gonna cut straight to the chase, Roy.” I shake my head and let out an exaggerated sigh. “You’ve been fucking around with the wrong people. I know you don’t have affiliations with the DeSantis men. I know you certainly don’t have any affiliations withmymen. So who are you working for?”
Roy’s otherwise sun-kissed skin pales, and his lips form a thin line—as if he’s not gonna say a damn word.
He goes to press a button under his desk, and Matteo laughs.
“Do you think the police will come, Roy?” I taunt him. “Those fuckers are on our payroll. I’ve already told them to ignore any call that comes in from this branch. Nice try, though.”
The policeareon our payroll, but I didn’t make a call.
The lie will be enough to deter him; I’m sure of that.
“Okay, let me try again,” I say. “You hired a weasel to go to the auction and bid on something that is mine. Does the name Evelina Greco ring a bell?”
“I say we just gut him like a fish,” Dom chimes in, but I put my palm up to silence him.
Roy rolls his chair backward, trying to put distance between us, but I just place my elbows on his desk and inch forward.
There’ll be time for torture. I enjoy it as much as my friend—as much as the rest of my fucked-up family—but I also believe there is an art in making a man wait for his death. I don’t like easy deaths. I don’t like clean deaths.
I like to ruin a fucking bastard before he takes his last breath.
There are days my conscience gnaws at me, but most of the time, I’m a product of my environment. I enjoy the thrill of a kill, especially when the person deserves it.
“Clock’s ticking,” Matteo says. “And I know you wanna get home to that smokin’ hot wife of yours.” Matteo looks from me to Dom and back at Roy. “We clearly know why Betsy is with you, don’t we, boys?” he asks, and we all let out a laugh. “Your money helps you in a lot of areas, doesn’t it?”
Roy takes in a deep breath and nods.
