Page 79 of Cruel Devil

Vito chimes in with, “Eso es todo por ahora. Puedes retirarte,” or something.

The woman gives another quick duck of her head and hurries away with a stiff back.

I shake my head. “That was mean.” He frowns, so I frown. “Or was it?”

“He just told her she could go,” Andy says before taking a bite of the bean and pork dish.

“You should learn some Spanish, Mrs. Domingo.” Vito smiles at me. “Might help you understand your husband better.”

“He speaks English to me.”

“And your kids?”

I don’t take the bait. Vito’s just being an asshole. The merry little twinkle in his fucking eye is a dead giveaway.

He’s wearing white linen slacks and a carefully pressed white button-up shirt with yellow palm trees on it. If I had even an ounce of motivation, I’d go raid his cupboard. He’s slightly shorter and much more slender than Savage. His clothes would fit me a lot better.

“What…you didn’t come to the same conclusion?” Vito prompts. “You know how it goes. First comes love, then comes marriage…” He rolls his hand, eyes wide. “Then comes…?”

“A baby in a baby carriage!” Andy blurts out.

I glare at her. “You’re a chronic overachiever, aren’t you?”

She grins, putting up her hand like I called on her in class. “Spelling bee champion of my high school three years running. And I was on the Dean’s List.”

“His list of most annoying students?” I ask dryly.

She laughs. “Probably. I used to circle typos in the school newspaper and slip it under the English teacher’s door.”

“With your name on it?” Vito asks in a horrified whisper.

“You kidding? I was trying to make the world a better place, not get a hundred spitballs in my hair before lunch.”

I give her a grudging smile, probably my first attempt of the day after that awful nightmare and the lingering dread building inside me.

“You shouldn’t keep your husband waiting,” Vito says. “I’m sure he’s already missing you.”

“Bella can keep him busy.”

Vito is staring at me in a very intentional way.

I frown at him, shrug. “What?”

He glances at Andy without moving his head, then widens his eyes.

Oh.

My smile has returned. It feels good, especially after hearing my sisters were—and might still be—in close proximity to a child molester.

I lean back in my seat, lacing my fingers and making them crack as I stretch them over my head. Vito relaxes a little, giving Andy a quick glance before grabbing his beer and sitting back in his seat.

“What a view, amiright?” I fall back on my cushioned backrest, letting out a long sigh. “I could stay out here all night.”

Vito leans forward, an arm on the table. “Pretty sure Savage told you to go upstairs as soon as you were done eating.”

“It was more of a suggestion than a command.” I cock my head. “He knows I rebel against authority.”

Vito’s mouth tightens, but he’s nothing if not resourceful, it seems. “You know, we should give you some space. Shit’s been crazy lately.” He turns, glancing over his shoulder at Andy. “Why don’t we get out of here? Let loose a little? I know the owner of this amazing little club out in?—“

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