Page 57 of Revenge Vows

Donatello sighs. “We can’t keep that girl here for much longer.”

I exhale. “We have talked about this—.”

“No, we haven’t,” comes Bunny’s voice.

“I thought you had no stake in this conversation,” I ask.

He shrugs. “It happens to tie in nicely with why I am here.”

Donatello sighs as I turn my gaze to him.

“She is more cunning than you think. I spoke to her for exactly ten minutes, and she had the right answer to everything,” he tells me, looking at me pleadingly.

“I was clear enough about her—” I begin.

“She can be your lover. I do not object to that, but she can’t remain in this mansion. Brother, I smell trouble,” Donatello pauses. “I have never steered you the wrong way, have I?”

In my heart, I know that he is right. From the very first day when I saw her at the bar, I didn’t miss the fire in her eyes or the determination in her step. I also haven’t missed how the hatred in her eyes only seems to grow stronger. I know she thinks I can’t see it, but I can.

Over the course of the past couple of days, her rage has seemed to melt away into determination. I know she isn’t naive enough to fall for a man like me, but I still want her words to Donatello to be true.

“I say we kill her.”

Bunny’s words startle me, and I gaze at him.

“Are you out of your flipping mind?” Donatello snaps before I can recover.

Bunny stands and walks up to me, ignoring Donatello. “You’ve grown weak, brother.”

“Bunny, stop it right now,” Donatello snaps.

I hold up my hand to motion him to let Bunny speak.

“I don’t know exactly how it happened, but since that woman appeared, you’ve turned into a coward. You’re a pathetic man who buries himself in the arms of a woman for solace,” Bunny grumbles, staring over at me.

Donatello gets up to grab him.

“Sit,” I growl at Donatello, and he stares at me before obeying.

“I do not think that you are fit to handle the affairs of the Russo family,” Bunny states boldly.

I get up slowly, and I can see a glint of terror flash through Bunny’s eyes, but he recovers enough to meet my gaze.

“Is that what you truly think?” I ask.

“I wouldn’t be saying it if I didn’t think it was the truth.”

The eyes of my brother stare at me with disdain, and I feel a crack inside of me.

Donatello stands and steps in between us.

“Please, that’s enough.” He turns to Bunny. “Apologize to him right now and get the hell out of here.”

Bunny faces Donatello. “You are such a disgusting, yes-man. Can’t you see how he is changing?”

Donatello stares at him desperately. “It’s the first time he has truly been interested in a woman. Cut him some slack.”

Bunny rolls his eyes. “I’ll leave, but this isn’t the end. I’ll be back.”

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