Page 5 of Deceitful Oath

To find all of her weaknesses and exploit them.

To burn down her entire world.

“We wait.”

Vince, a man of few words, nods and leans back in the driver’s seat. I settle in as well. My mind races with ideas and next steps. How do I get inside her mind?

Only a few minutes later, she bursts out of the front doors. Her hair is up in a bouncy ponytail and she’s changed her clothes. Gone are the denim overalls and sneakers she wore earlier. She hustles down the street in a tiny black dress and black boots.

Interesting. Where are you going now, waitress?

Vince pulls us out of our parking spot without a word and heads down the street after her. When she stops at a bus stop, nervously tapping her foot and checking her phone, we slip into a tight spot across the road.

She’s so close I can see the smattering of freckles across her nose. She’s wearing eyeliner now, and her lips are painted a deep blood-red. I stare at her, unable to drag my gaze away from her face.

She’s studying the street around her and her eyes sweep over me. I hold my breath, even though I know the tinted windows obscure our faces completely. A gigantic grin breaks out across her face and I forget how to breathe.

Did she see me? Why is she smiling at me?

“Did you want me to follow the bus?” Vince interrupts my insane train of thought.

Right. The bus. She’s smiling because the bus came. I watch her climb abroad, the doors closing behind her.

“Follow it,” I finally manage. “Let’s see what this bitch is up to.”

We follow the bus slowly across town. With how many stops it makes, I’m shocked we make it there in less than an hour. I watch closely at every stop, waiting for the flash of golden hair. Finally, she all but trips and falls out of the vehicle at a downtown stop.

“There,” Vince points out, and I nod. We watch her cross the street, nearly getting hit by an oncoming minivan. She curses and shakes her head before ducking into The Velvet Room.

Vince whips his head around and stares at me. I’m shocked as shit, too.The Velvet Room? Really?

“The fucking Mancinis,” I spit out.

Our biggest rivals. My father’s arch-nemesis.

It could be a coincidence. She might just be unknowingly going in for a drink. Maybe she has a date tonight.

I don’t even know why I’m trying to give her the benefit of the doubt. Deep down, I know that a girl who lives in that piece of shit apartment building can’t afford a drink in Mancini’s swanky VIP bar.

I get my confirmation an hour later when she emerges from the bar, an apron tied around her waist. She ducks into the alley off to the side, and I see her light up a cigarette.

Not only is she part of their shady-as-shit crime ring, but she’s also employed at their legitimate business front.

“I’ve seen enough,” I tell Vince, motioning for him to drive.

I pull out my phone and dial Enzo. “Get me everything you can on that waitress from Rocky’s Cafe…and send someone to rearrange her furniture.”

I lean back in my seat, shutting my eyes. All I can see is that smile—glowing, warm, drawing me in.

I can’t wait to wipe it off her face forever.

Chapter Two

Lux

“Thanks for covering for me.” I pat Lisa on the shoulder, ducking behind the bar.

“No problem,” she grins. “I know how bad the cravings get when you’re trying to quit.”

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