Page 64 of Bound in Debt
“What the hell are you doing?” Liam snarls, his anger echoing through the room and every one of my bones.
Dante waits to respond until he’s standing next to the priest. I keep silent too, wanting to see exactly what Dante has up his sleeve. I hope I haven’t misplaced my trust, that he steps up in a way that proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that we’re in this together, just like he’s said all along.
“Watch your language, boy, we’re standing in a church,” Dante chides. He shifts so that he is standing in front of me, Father Charles between us, and you’d have to be a dumbass not to pick up on what’s about to happen.
Liam has been replaced.
And he’s been too much of an idiot to register that fact before this moment.
“Uncle Dante,” Liam protests, taking a step forward. “What the fuck?—”
“Stunt’s over,” Dante claims, finally making eye contact with my ex. His face and body language make it clear that he doesn’t give a flying fuck how Liam feels about losing me. “You’ll get us all killed the moment you get your hands on Victoria’s money.”
Liam scoffs incredulously but everyone in the room knows exactly what kind of asshole he is. “What are you talking about? She has enough. Lombardi is going to get paid and I’ll get to leave?—”
“Go on, Father,” Dante orders, not wasting another second. There’s no point explaining the details of my trust fund to someone who will never see a penny of it in the first place.
“Wait a minute! This wasn’t the plan. We were gonna get out of here. You were gonna help me!”
“You didn’t do your research,” Dante retorts. “And this conversation is over. I’ll take care of Lombardi—you can go ahead and start forgetting about it.”
“You’re not about to marry my girlfriend.” Liam begins, stomping closer. My heart plummets, falling somewhere in the region of my stomach, but a metallic click stops Liam in his tracks.
My eyes scan to the source of the sound and I see Dante, standing with his arm extended and a black gun clasped casually in his hand.
It’s pointing straight at his nephew’s chest.
“Then take her from me,” Dante taunts simply, keeping the weapon trained on Liam. “Because I’d just as well shoot you now and skip dealing with whatever drama you’re about to lay on the table…” his voice trails off and he tilts his head, a considering frown on his face. “Or you can sit down and be a witness for my wedding. I’m good with either one, but make your choice quickly.”
Holy shit.
I know Dante isn’t fighting for me for any romantic reason, but that doesn’t change the fact I’ve never had a man stick up for me like he just did. I feel a flutter in my chest and a buzzing in my ears. Is this really my life?
I can’t help but be grateful to be standing on holy ground, even if Dante is waving a gun around at the altar. I say another prayer, hoping I can sway God to our side. Because whatever happens next, I have a feeling Dante and I will need His help to escape the Italian devil knocking at our door.
21
DANTE
“You think you’re big and bad because you’re holding a gun? You marry her and you’re sealing her fate.” Liam’s face is ghost-white, but his evil words are filled with a bravado I’m sure he’s trying to convince himself is real courage.
I’m not a fan of this situation.
But I’m even less of one after my nephew tosses out a threat like that. A threat so vitriolic and vague that my mind can’t help but come up with endless ideas of what he might do to get back at Victoria. The kind of mental turmoil he would heap on her—more than what he’s already tried—just to get what he wants.
He doesn’t need Victoria anymore. I’m handling the Angelo Lombardi problem. This is a matter of pride. It’s in his best interest to drop this shit now, before I beat the message into him that what I decide to claim as a man—regardless of the reason—is mine.
“Are you threatening the woman who will be my wife? Because after she says ‘I do’ I’m going to be taking my vows very seriously.”
Liam doesn’t flinch at my deadly warning, but I can’t say I’m not surprised. He represents the worst of the Moretti gene pool. Dumb and impulsive, unable to come up with a strategy or fallback plan. His immaturity only emphasizes his faults.
His lips curl back and he bares his teeth like a rabid dog. “You think she’s gonna fuck you like she does me? Is that it? Your boring, stuffy old ass thinks that you can just swoop in here and take what’s mine?” I see his focus slide over to Victoria, and his next words drip with desperation. “Come on, Vee. You don’t need this. I’ll protect you?—”
Victoria shakes her head, squeezing my fingers in hers. Her worst nightmare is becoming reality as she continues to play the starring role in this farce. I almost feel like a bigger villain than Liam.
Almost.
I know what needs to happen. Victoria does as well, she’s just had a harder time accepting it. She’s put up a fight every step of the way, and as much as it pisses me off when she rebels against me… Well, I can’t deny that my cock twitched with admiration when she smacked the shit out of Liam’s ratty little friend.
