Page 31 of Pure Vengeance

“Yeah.” I nod.

“And before you start concocting any sort of escape plans, Vince will be with you. He’ll be hanging at the library and driving you home.”

“Yeah, fine. That’s fine.” I smile.

“Good. Then later, we’ll figure out what our next step is.”

“Step in what?”

“Finding out who the fuck hurt you by killing your brother.”

I stare at him. “And when we find him?”

He arches a brow. “We’ll make him pay.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Anton

Claire paces my office while scratching at the scab on her knuckle. It’s been four days since I promised her we’d find out who killed her brother, and so far we’ve gotten nothing.

Salvatore Luparo has turned out to be a big fucking thorn in my ass.

“You’re going to make yourself bleed.” I cover her hands with my own and bring them down.

She frowns.

“I don’t like all this waiting, Anton,” she confesses as though I couldn’t tell by the trench she’s trying to wear into the floor.

I check her knuckles to be sure she hasn’t torn off any of the scabs. The woman has a problem with not picking at them.

“He will be here soon,” I remind her, running my thumb over her palm. “And when he is, you’ll remember what we talked about this morning?”

She rolls her eyes. “I’m not going to say anything that will make him want to leave before telling us what he can.”

“You’re sure? Because you’ve not yet been able to hold back accusations and any thought that pops into that pretty head ofyours.” I level her with what I hope is firm stare. This woman has been in my life too short of a time to have made so many changes in my heart. Yet, I would put a bullet through anyone’s head who dared make her sad.

No matter the consequences.

“Yes. I can manage it. But why do you think this Fanelli person will even help us? Isn’t he your enemy?” She starts chewing her bottom lip.

I pull it from her mouth.

“He’s been trying to get licensing for a casino on the river uptown. I’ve been able to keep him from getting it. If he helps us, I might consider getting out of his way.”

“You’re able to do that? To stop someone from starting a business?”

I grin. She really doesn’t understand the power I hold. And even if she did, I doubt she’d be impressed by it.

“I can.” I nod.

“And you’d do this for me?” She sounds suspicious. “Why?”

I run the back of my hand across her cheek. There’s still a little white mark from where the bush cut her skin, but it’s fading fast.

“Because. The sooner we find out what happened, the sooner you’ll find peace.”

Her eyes narrow. “I still don’t understand this. Any of it. I’m trying to hate you, but…” She sighs. “I can’t.”

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