Page 64 of Trapping His Darling

I ripped out his heart and crushed it.

Because that was what my own felt like.

Ripped apart. Crushed. Dead.

“At least the Italians have backed off,” Roger said, as if trying to offer a bright side. “They heard about the carnage, and it has made them think twice about their immediate plan of attack.”

I looked up. My men were gone. It was just me and him.

“Roger. Why are you here?”

“Because that is my job.”

I tossed down the organ. “No. Here with us.”

“You know why. As part of the treaty, there was an exchange of seconds. Your uncle went to the Don. I came here.”

“Divided loyalties.”

“No. An oath is an oath. We are not Americans. We have honor.”

Hearing that made me chuckle… and that chuckle turned into a full belly laugh.

“Tiffany, you promised me obedience.”

“I’m taking my promise back.”

“You cannot do that. It’s dishonorable.”

“Really? You are worried about honor?”

“Yes. I’m Russian. And Bratva.”

“Well, I’m American. We don’t play by the rules.”

Then I heard her.

For a moment, I thought it was my imagination.

It was not.

“Ooooo, so pretty,” she cooed as she admired the walls of faces.

Roger ducked out quick like. I think my mother’s ghost even vanished from my brain, leaving me alone to simply stare. I didn’t move, out of fear of what I might do if I didn’t measure myself. I did not want to lose control.

“Tiffany, wife,” I said softly. “Where have you been?”

She spun and beamed at me, then rushed over and hugged me tightly. I didn’t return the embrace. I just stood there, numb.

“I felt so awful for fucking up, that I decided to clean up the mess I caused when I killed your ex-fiancée,” she explained in a rush, seemingly unconcerned with all the blood ruining her clothes.

“I need you to clarify what that means.”

Releasing me, she stepped back and smiled. “I figured I would eliminateallyour enemies for you, one-by-one, and you wouldn’t have to worry about them anymore. But…” she sighed and held out her arms. “I ran out of poison.” She rolled her eyes. “Have to restock. Then I’ll head back out.”

CHAPTER THIRTY

Viktor

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