"Yeah, but do you really think it's worse than what Death will do?"
Chapter 15
ANGELO
An electric current of anticipation buzzes under my skin.
She's going to be here soon.
My forever starts tonight. Ahead of schedule, but that can't be helped. Candi witnessed something she shouldn't and now she's more at risk away from me than with me.
I've had fun with our courtship, but the darkness inside me that's drawn to her light is fucking glad.
I've already doubled security on the property and the number of men watching her mom and sister's apartment. We'll move them to the mansion soon, but waking my future mother-in-law in the middle of the night to drag her out of her home doesn't seem like the way to start our relationship off right.
Mario:Three minutes out. Warning. La Barbarina is pissed at how the game is playing out.
A grin pulls at my lips.
My little dancer is angry. Not afraid. Angry.
So perfect for me.
Forcing myself to wait in the living room for her arrival, I stand at the window, tossing my knife high, catching it and then walking it over my fingers before flipping it over my thumb and doing it all over again. I've done this so many times, I don't have to look at my knife anymore.
I've only been home for a few minutes because I was in Manhattan too, but I keep my eyes fixed on the frustratingly empty drive.
My leg muscles tense with the need to pace, but I remain in place, my only movement the small flicks of my hand manipulating my knife.
Finally, the gates begin to slide open and then Derian pulls through in his SUV. It takes both him and Mario to get her out of the truck even though she's wrapped in what looks like half a roll of duct tape.
Her mouth is moving, but the double pained bullet resistant glass doesn't allow sound through. They disappear through the front door and I turn away from the window, walking rapidly across the living room to the partially open door.
I hear her before I see her.
"Put me down, you overgrown ape!" That's not mere anger; that's pure fury in her dulcet tones.
Interesting.
My men's voices aren't loud enough to make out individual words, but their placating tones can't be missed.
When they're right outside the door, I hear Mario. "She wasn't this mouthy in the car."
"That was before she managed to get her gag off the second time," Derian says.
Frazzled is a new tone for him.
Mario grunts. "At least she didn't get the jacket off after we retaped it."
"You two can admire my Houdini-like skills another time," Candi says acerbically. "You need to let me go!"
"No can do." Mario says with exaggerated patience, like that's not the first time he's had to say the words.
"You know this isn't necessary, damn it. I won't go to the cops." Pleading bleeds into her tone.
I don't like it. Candi should never feel the need to beg.
"Sure, Ms. Candi, I believe you, but will your dad?" Derian asks.