Page 24 of Corrupted

"Probably." Gianni chuckled. "That would explain a lot."

"Pretty much everything," Damon agreed. "I should have thought of it."

"You really should," Gianni agreed. "How did you miss something like that?"

Damon rolled his eyes at him.

"I'm starting to think you're all trouble," Bianca said. "Except Reuben. If she ditches your fine ass, you know where to find me." She winked at him.

He looked back at her, clearly uncomfortable.

"I don't plan to ditch his ass," I said. "Sorry, his fine ass." I put an arm around him. "But if I do, I'll remind him of your offer."

He gave me the same look he'd been giving her. If things didn't work out between us, he was not coming back here for her. He looked as though he'd prefer to swallow a whole echidna. Spines and all.

Lucky for everyone, I couldn't imagine life without him and I knew he wouldn't let me go without one hell of a fight. Unfortunately for Bianca, she was out of luck when it came to him. I doubted they'd be a good match anyway. Although, a woman her age might teach him a thing or two.

"If you find my daughter, tell her that if she takes off again, I'll let Carlos choose a husband for her," Bianca said. She led us to the door and opened it before hanging on to it as though she wanted to be certain we actually left.

"Will do," Gianni said. He made kissing faces at her before leading the way out the door.

My arm still around Reuben, I shook my head and followed him out.

If Angelina was anything like her mother, she'd marry Enzo today if we gave her that message. I had a feeling I'd like her, but she wouldn't like me if she knew I'd leave her a widow.

CHAPTER 9

MINA

"How many languages do you speak?" Gianni hooked his arm through mine and walked beside me to the car.

He shrugged. "Four or five. Italian, Spanish, French, English, and of course, bad."

I laughed. "I think we can all speak bad language."

"Fuck yeah we can." He grinned. "How about you?"

"I can definitely speak bad," I said. "Also, Italian and French, but I'm rusty. I learned French at school and Italian at home. And bad from Asher and Zeke."

Reuben grunt-laughed. "That sounds accurate."

"You learned all your naughty words from your younger brother?" Gianni teased.

"Who else?" Reuben asked. He shot us a playful look of mock innocence, but it only lasted a moment.

Those flashes fascinated me. The insight into the man under the stony exterior. I suspected we'd never see more than flashes, but those he displayed were endearing. Every time I saw them, I fell in love with him a little more. They made him seem more human, and reminded me that he also had vulnerabilities. None he'd admit to, but he had them.

"My guess would have been the twins," I said.

I glanced over at Damon, ready to tease, but the expression on his face made me hold my tongue.

He was clearly not listening to us, his mind elsewhere. On his brother, I presumed. In a mood like that, he might be inclined to shoot first and think about what he was doing later. Not that he was a hothead, usually, but he was wound up tighter than a spring, ready to burst. Now was the time to step lightly around him.

I wanted to reassure him we'd find Enzo, but I had no idea what would happen after that. Carlos might kill him or we might.

I considered suggesting we put my vendetta aside, but I sensed Damon wouldn't stop until he found his brother, regardless of what he'd done. Regardless of what I might do to him.

Damon unlocked the SUV and we all climbed inside without another word.

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