Page 57 of Falling for the Enemy

Anger continues to roll off Casper as he continues, but thankfully, it appears to be lessening. “After he forwarded to me, he destroyed its digital footprint by wiping the system’s memory.”

I sigh in relief, thankful that despite his volatile temper, my bull kept his anger in check and ordered my men to handle business without faltering. Protecting our faction, no matter the cost, is one of his many strengths.

“So you know it wasLa Famigliawho attacked me then.” My words don’t form a question, rather a statement. “Not Alejandro or the cartel.”

I drop my hand as he clenches his jaw and pockets his phone.“Da,” he snaps. “But it wasthe kingpinwhostole you. Not Stefano’s worthless soldiers.”

Choosing to allow his scathing tone to slide just this once, I wait for him to explain further. For all he knows,La Famigliacould have captured me the moment I was out of the camera’s views.

“I was canvassing on foot a block from Sixth Avenue after finding the roof empty and gathering your purse, as well as your phone, when his SUV turned the corner,” he continues, correctly reading the questions that flit through my mind. “I spotted your blonde hair through the open back window.” His jaw tightens. “For taking you, I’ll make him pay, Ari. No matter—”

Nyet, we aren’t going backward.

Shaking my head, I cup his cheek, the soft-but-firm move a replica of the one my late mother often utilized when attempting to correct my errant behavior. “We’ve already discussed this. Neither you nor anyone else is permitted to harm Alejandro.”

Brows furrowing, he stays silent.

Clearly, he’s as confused as I when it comes to my flip-flopping emotions. Bouncing from hot to cold faster than a professional boxer bobs and weaves to avoid repeated punches, one minute I wish to murder the kingpin and bathe in his still-warm blood. The next, I desire things from him that I don’t dare allow myself to experience.

Such as the chance to sleep in his arms.

“The possessive and controllingmudakmay have taken me hostage for his own selfish reasons, none of which are valid, and all that he’ll be made to pay for,” I say, completely vexed over the fact that Alejandro has found a way to sneak past my defenses and scale my walls. “But he alsosaved mefrom the duo of gunmen Stefano sent. That alone earned him a temporary reprieve.”

Maybe even a permanent one.

That’s if my heart gets its way.

“If the time comes for him to be dealt with in such a manner, it’ll be me who fires the bullet that ultimately stops his heart.” The thought of ending the man whose taste still lingers on my lips causes bile to climb my esophagus. “Tell me you understand.”

He doesn’t have time to respond.

Not before the approaching SUV comes to a sliding stop, and Nikolai jumps out, his expression stern but visibly relieved. A man of few words, he doesn’t speak as he heads my way, more than eager to obey whatever order I’m about to give.

I release a seething Casper and turn to face him.

“I need a new gun since mine seems to have found its way into the ocean,” I tell without elaborating as he stops before me, a brief chin lift in Casper’s direction the only acknowledgment he gives my second-in-command. “I also need you to build me a special gift.”

Smiling to myself, I pick a small piece of lint free of his pressed shirt, knowing that the request I’m about to make will be met with both haste and enthusiasm.

“A bomb, Nikolai. Make me one, da?”

Fully understanding the chaos I plan to unleash on La Famiglia after being shot at, Casper curses beneath his breath, the words he speaks indecipherable.

Ignoring him, I focus on my enforcer.

“Actually, make me three.” My lips tilt further, lifting my cheeks and crinkling my eyes. “It’s well past time I show Stefano and his army of brainless clones just how explosive asukalike me can be.”

I don’t wait for a reply.

In desperate need of a shower and wanting to check on both Mina and Anna before I climb into bed, a place where thoughts of Alejandro will surely plague me, I head to the mansion, a lone thought circling my conscience.

Ready or not, Stefano, I’m coming for you.

FIFTEEN

Alejandro

Checkmate, Alejandro.

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