Page 8 of Relentless Sinner

The Castellanos are one of the five families in the Italian Mafia Syndicate. Salvatore takes care of their finances and investments.

I discovered that he was stealing money from their drug shipments to gamble in high-stakes poker games and pay off a debt he had with the kind of dangerous men who will kill you if you can’t pay. It all fell through and he couldn’t replace the money when he lost a game and ended up owing millions.

At the time he wasn’t too worried because Natasha was supposed to get married to one of his business associates, therefore releasing her inheritance.

His wife left a proviso that he was to get five percent of the shares and some of the inheritance money when each girl met the requirements to assume their ownership.

When I found out what he was doing I blackmailed him into relinquishing those benefits soIcould have them.

Why did I do that? Because he tried to screw me over first.

Like with the Castellanos, this motherfucker also handles my father’s investments. My father likes to keep certain aspects of our business separate from the Creed, so he hired Salvatore.

He’s worked for us for close to twenty years but during an audit I found out that he was trying to embezzle money from our company. What was worse was the motherfucker tried to pin his theft on me. As if I don’t have enough shit to worry about with my father.

When I dug deeper I discovered the extent of his treachery but I also decided to use it to my advantage.

I walk up to him and rest a hand on his shoulder. Then I level him a hard stare.

“You allowed Gabriella to escape and fall into the hands of your enemies,” I remind him.

“That wasn’t my fault. She tricked the guards.”

“Yesit was your fault. Those men planned to sell her. Then you would have never seen her again. You couldn’t even get her back. I had to take an army of men into a blood battle. So, no, she’s not going anywhere with you.” I grip his shoulder hard,wishing it were his neck. “Be grateful you get to keep your life. Your daughter is mine now, Salvatore. Do you understand that?” I stare him down, showing I mean business, and his cool façade waivers, betraying his unease

“Yes, I understand.”

“Good, because I’d hate to break our deal. You know that if my people don’t kill you, the Castellanos will. At least I gave you an out. A way to fix it.”

“You seriously think this is a way to fix my problem?” He seethes, baring his teeth.

I smile back at him without humor, the way a psycho would before they kill. “Don’t test me, Salvatore. You already tried to fuck with me.Twice.I invited you back here tonight to make sure you understand that if you try anything more I will kill you. Got it?”

This time his bravado slips off his face like a mask. He nods, but I know it’s because he’s scared. This may be the one time in his miserable life something has scared him. Good. I’m glad it’s me.

I release him and step back, motioning to the door. “You can go now.”

His jaw clenches and his eyes darken with rage but he knows better than to say anything more to me.

He turns and leaves. When he walks through the door I glance at the clock on the wall.

Twelve fifteen.

I’ve dealt with the father. I wonder what awaits me with his beautiful daughter.

I’m sure she’s waiting for me, too.

Chapter Three

Gabriella

I pace around the large bedroom, gripping my hands together.

The air is brimming with the scent ofhim—Jaxon Bortsov.

The scent is a combination of earth, sandalwood and power.

I caught his scent back at the dungeon. How crazy is it that it actually overpowered that stench of death? I didn’t think anything could do that, but it was like even death was afraid of him.

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