Page 34 of Tangled Vows

I can mutter every fucking curse I know. I can call this little bastard all the names that come to mind, and they still won’t be enough for me to express what I feel. I have been on Mulberry Street a million times. It’s home to the best Italian restaurants in Miami.

Italian...

This fact, along with that nickname, can only mean one thing. The Italians were behind the car bombing. There can be no doubt now. The Armenians never had anything to do with it, just like Ivan had been suspecting from the start. This sabotage had been planned by a much more sophisticated syndicate than those apes.

My brother and I rise back up. I can read the concern in his expression. As for me? I’m stunned. I can’t imagine why the mafia would want me dead. I don’t recall going anywhere near their businesses, much less hurting them. By the time I’m making my way back to Ivan’s Ford, I feel about five hundred pounds heavier. This is a complication that hadn’t crossed my mind.

Chapter Sixteen

Ivan

Leaving that piece of shit, I call one of my men and give him Juarez’s address.

We will handle this—just not so early at night and in public. Nobody fucks with the Bratva and lives to tell the story. Nobody.

In a minute or two, it’s clear to me that this stupid loser isn’t my biggest problem tonight. It’s in the passenger seat. Silent. Staring into the void. Sighing every two or three minutes during the drive back. I wish I was a good talker like him—I really do. If I were, I would help him get over this shock. Because that’s exactly what this is to him. A shock. All I can give him are a few sentences.

“You must have done something to tick them off. They wouldn’t come after you for no reason. Get your shit together, Leonid. We must take this to Viktor.”

To me, this development isn’t so unbelievable. It’s a surprise, yes, but it’s not shocking. This danger is part of our world. I might have told Leonid that the Italians had motive to kill him, but that was just me trying to provoke some kind of response.

The truth is, they don’t always operate like that. Wise guys shoot each other all the time. They do have some rules in place, but some of those mobsters just don’t give a shit about them. So, if they’re crazy enough to go after each other, why wouldn’t they try to sabotage a rival’s car, just for the fun of it?

I drop him off at his house in the city, feeling unsettled. I know he’s going to have trouble sleeping. Still, Leonid can take care of himself. By tomorrow morning, he’ll have bounced back and be the brother I’ve known all my life. Determined. Lethal. Ruthless. Ready to destroy his enemies, no matter the cost.

Clare’s smiling image flashes through my mind. I have an idea. I need to unwind. I need to see a fresh face. Does she have a lot to do with this situation? Yes. But being with her will take my mind off Leonid. Spending just a few minutes with her will help me focus on something other than the shock in his face.

More than thirty minutes later, I’m holding the keys to the safe house in my hand, a cool breeze blowing through my hair. I acknowledge Yuri as I step onto the property. I turn the key in the lock, my anticipation growing. The sight across the living room wipes anything unpleasant off my brain.

Clare is in a purple babydoll, legs gathered to her chest. The light from the TV helps me get a proper glimpse of her lush thighs. My dick is protesting in my pants in an instant, aching to plunge back into her creamy folds. I swallow hard, deciding to keep my hands to myself for the moment. I know touching her will distract me, but this is Clare, not some whore I picked up in a bar.

“Hey!” she chirps, offering me one of her glorious smiles. “How are you? It’s been a while.”

“I know. I’m sorry,” I say, my voice coming out slower than usual. “I’ve just been busy looking into you know what. What about you? I never got to ask you if you liked your new hideout.”

“It’s gorgeous,” she replies, her smile staying on. “Oh, if you want to talk to the other guys, I sent them upstairs. I wanted some privacy. I hope that’s okay.”

“Sure.” I shrug my shoulders. “Listen, why don’t you go put some clothes on? I have an idea.”

“What is it?” She giggles. “I’ve already had dinner, and it’s getting late...”

“Nothing fancy,” I assure her. “Forget your heels, too. You won’t be needing them where we’re going. In fact, sandals would do just fine.”

“Sandals...?” She frowns, leaning back in surprise. “Are you serious?”

“Absolutely,” I say with a small smile on my face. “Take your time. I’ll be waiting.”

“Okay, Mr. Mysterious,” she says in a happy voice, setting her feet down on the floor.

I don’t know if she likes my little plan. Her idea of a great date may be different than mine. She might think that a nice restaurant or a posh bar are ideal for a night out. Still, even though I wouldn’t mind visiting a famous Italian restaurant or a downtown bar in normal circumstances, I can’t do either tonight. I’m just not in the mood. I have a lot on my mind. I need to relax and enjoy her company, not food or drink.

Clare

Ivan is difficult to read.

Unlike his buddy, he’s not going to give away much of what he thinks or feels. The man just loves his mysteries. He likes to keep me on my toes. Honestly? I’m enjoying that, too. I don’t want to know everything in advance. I like adventure; otherwise, I wouldn’t have considered dating either of them. It’s the unpredictability that has kept me interested in them. Of course, there are other factors at play as well.

Back up in my bedroom, I choose a pair of red shorts and a black tee. I’m not going to ruin whatever he’s got in mind despite the voice in my head when I notice a gorgeous, deep blue Dior in my closet. It’s a great chance for me to wear designer clothes. I’ve never done that, but it’s not appropriate for tonight. After all, he was clear. No dressing up.

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