Page 126 of The Boss

We chatted about wedding plans, rhetoric I doubted either one of us would remember.

Well, some of it I would at least.

Christos:He had his men park on the street behind the restaurant. Five minutes.

My brother had kept me updated with a play by play, right up to the minute the man should be waltzing in through the back door. I usually only traveled with two men, and they were well represented in the lighted parking lot for Luca to see.

“Do you trust me?” I asked her.

“Implicitly. Do you trust me?”

“Without a doubt.”

“Then remember that I’m not so fragile.” She winked and I shook my head. “Also remember I might be of use. What are my cues?”

“Don’t provoke the man, little dove. Luca is deranged.”

“What man isn’t to a degree?”

It wasn’t long before I knew we had company. With no pretense, no concern that he was walking into a possible massacre, Luca came in from the outside. He had his weapon in his hand, holding it casually.

“Well, well. Look what we have here,” Luca said as if greeting friends.

I immediately jerked up, grabbing my weapon as he expected me to. “Luca. What the fuck are you doing here?”

“Surprised? Did you really think you could get away with being responsible for my fiancée’s death?”

Willow coughed. “You are a real bastard. Aren’t you?”

“You must be the girlfriend.”

She held up her hand with her ring finger. “Fiancée. You weren’t invited to our party.”

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but Dimitrios and I have unfinished business.” Luca barely looked in her direction.

“I suggest you leave or you’re not going to like what happens.” I had no emotion toward the man. In truth, it was amazing how calm I felt.

“I have your men being held by my soldiers. You’re all alone and I seriously doubt anyone in the kitchen will come to your defense. If I were you, I’d hand over your weapon and maybe I’ll spare your girlfriend.”

“I don’t think I can do that,” I told him.

Luca exhaled. His move wasn’t unexpected as he pointed the barrel of his gun toward her face. He was only inches away. Thethought I’d put her in harm’s way crossed my mind, but I sensed she wasn’t terrified, just as cautious as I was.

She was also conniving.

“Now, put your damn gun down or I’m afraid I’ll need to destroy your love affair.”

His command irritated the fuck out of me. I hesitated.

“Just do it, Dimitrios. Please. I love you.” She was begging but I knew the woman too well already. She was a much better actress than I’d given her credit for.

“I suggest you listen to her.” Luca laughed.

“Baby. Please,” she whined. With her purse in her hand, she looked at me with imploring eyes.

He noticed the look on her face and had a smug one on his.

“You would never have cared about Delphina. You didn’t love her the way I did.”

---