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“Sienna gave me a direct connection to Cosa Nostra and also Bratva. Two birds, one stone,” I say, watching his face for the smallest reaction. “It’s a matter of principle. I’m simply taking care of my asset.”
“So you don’t like her?”
“She’s barely out of her teens, Endri. Why would I like a spoiled girl who dresses like a clown and spends almost all her time shopping and posting selfies on social media? Sacrifices need to be made for the sake of business.”
“I hear she’s a pretty little thing. Don’t tell me you aren’t at least attracted to her.”
“I like my women to use their heads for something other than a fancy haircut, Endri.”
Dushku laughs and stands up. “Yeah, I see your point. Well, if it doesn’t work out, I have a daughter who’s just finishing her doctorate program, so she might be more up your alley.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
As I watch the Albanian leave, my eyes shift to the spot at the bar where my wife was sitting a moment ago. She’s not there. I turn around and find Sienna standing with her back pressed to a column that has our coats hanging on its side, just behind the sofa where I’m sitting. Staring at me with wide eyes.
Shit.
“I like my women to use their head for something other than a fancy haircut, Endri.”
I plaster my back to the wide rectangular column behind me and close my eyes. It's slightly rough, but the cool concrete finish is a welcome relief to my overheating flesh.
Everything he said is true. People see what you show them. So why does it bother me that Drago actually believes I’m shallow and stupid?
When I open my eyes, the gray-haired man is getting up, offering his daughter as my replacement while he does so. And my husband, the bastard that he is, doesn’t seem opposed to it. I should leave and pretend I didn’t hear anything, but my legs are rooted to the floor.
Drago turns around and our gazes connect. It takes all my willpower, but I smile and keep that fake grin on my face as he walks around the sofa to stand before me.
“Making plans to replace me? I might not have a doctorate, but I’m pretty sure I’m a more valuable chess piece than that guy’s daughter.”
Drago lowers his head so our faces are at the same level. The sconce above our jackets on the other side of the column is casting its soft light around us, allowing me to see the pulsing vein at his temple as he stares into my eyes. He places his left palm on the surface next to my head and cups my cheek with his right.
“Do you know what could happen if Dushku figures out you are not just a chess piece?” His tone is low and menacing. “He would make sure everyone who has any beef with me knows about it.”
“So?”
“So, I’d have to kill all of them.” This time, his words are as lighthearted as if he’s planning a summer picnic. He tilts his head slightly. “That’s a lot of dead people,mila moya.”
“You don’t kill people. You have your pet assassin for that. That priest guy,” I blurt out without thinking, and only after the words are out of my mouth do I realize what I’ve said.
He blinks, his dark lashes sweeping languidly down and back up until his eyes are fixated on me again. “My . . . ‘pet assassin’?”
Crap. Think! “Yes. Keva mentioned something the other day, and I figured it out.”
“Mmm, did she?” He narrows his eyes at me. “Yes. I guess I would need to send . . .my pet assassinafter them. To take care of that problem for me.”
“Why?”
He drops his chin just a little, leaving him looking at me from under his hooded lids. “To make sure they won’t be coming after you.”
“Why would anyone come after me?” I ask in my most sugary voice. “I’m just a spoiled girl who dresses like a clown.”
Drago’s nostrils flare. He clenches his jaw, and his gaze is glued to my lips with such intensity that I expect flames to burst forth.
“You are the very opposite of shallow, Sienna. We both know that. I’m fairly certain you’re one of the most intelligent people I’ve ever met.”
I suck in a breath, taken aback by his words. But my momentary shock is quickly replaced with mirthless laughter as I recall the rest of the conversation I’d overheard.
“That’s not enough, though, is it? You talked about replacing me,” I spit out. “Maybe that’d be the right thing to do. Your buddy’s daughter might be a better match for you. You’ll probably do more than just sleep in the same bed with her.”
