Page 51 of As Devils Love

You’ve got to be kidding me.

I can feel my blood boiling inside my skin, and I have no idea why. Relief should be my first thought at Lorenzo’s lack of awareness about who Mark, and I are, but instead I find myself furious. All this digging into our lives, and he never once thought to search his own past? A single name would’ve given him the answer.

Mary-Beth Amos. My mom. The innocent being that this piece of shit stole from me. I can feel the veins bulging in my neck. My eyes twitch as raw aggression commands me to smash this cocktail into Lorenzo’s hanging jowls. Every fiber of my beingroars that I should kill him, now. End my and Fiametta’s suffering with one well-placed flick of my blade wielding wrist.

I don’t. Instead, I allow my mind to wonder at how ridiculous it is, that out of the billions of people on this planet, it’s only the last two Napoli family members who manage to elicit any emotion from me. His daughter makes sense. At least she satisfies my cock while she tugs at my heartstrings.

Lorenzo, however, is a big pit of despair. And sitting here is a constant reminder of my failure to deliver him the same painful blow as he did me, all those years ago.

“You were there, Crue, and you saw how Matteo talked down to me. Understandably, I’d have done the same if I were in his position. My men aren’t weak, but if one man, one organization or whatever the hell these assassins are, can kill them so easily, the seed of doubt will be planted in the hearts and minds of every criminal across New York.” Lorenzo’s eyes fall to the drink I haven’t touched. I don’t plan on reaching for it just because he’s beckoning me to.

“I fail to see the point you’re trying to make. Why not speak clearly and drop the pretense.” I take a seat on the barstool opposite him, and Mark follows suit.

Lorenzo snickers, no doubt wanting to make another comment about the size of my balls, but he holds off as we’re reaching the climax of this conversation.

“I’m working on something big. Well, that’s an understatement. It’s going to shake the very foundation of New York, if I can pull it off.” He glugs down half the glass in front of him.

Better talk fast, old man. You’re about to go the way of your consigliere, if you keep drinking like that.

“First, I’m going to need you to deal with the lowlife that’s killing my men, of course. Can’t have them running amok while I’m trying to rebuild.”

Son of a bitch. There it is again. Another jab, Lorenzo doesn’t realize he’s throwing straight into my guts. It infuriates me more that his focus is on preserving his men instead of his daughter. I barely understand emotions, but even I know how cold this is.

“And what do I get in return?” I stare at him blankly.

“I’ll double whatever Matteo’s paying. No questions asked. You give me a number and I’ll deliver the cash to your doorstep.”

Mark spits a mouthful of his drink over the countertop, to Lorenzo’s chagrin. I can see he wants to say something about it, but he holds his tongue because this isn’t Fiametta spilling liquid on a tray. Mark’s a skilled killer he’s trying to employ.

“You do realize that he’s paying a lot of money, right?” Mark asks and tries another sip. “A LOTof fucking money.” He emphasizes the point after he’s managed a swallow.

“Who cares? There’s no use having as much as I do, if I can’t use it to expand my operation.” He shrugs, and the first sign of slurring trickles over his words.

Time to go, before he ropes me into a night of drinking as if we’re old friends. I’ll definitely kill him before the sun comes up, if he tries to do that.

“I’ll need time to think about it,” I say, and get out of my chair. “But if you want this, you’ll have to prove it. I want half the fee, upfront, as a deposit. No strings attached. If I choose to walk away, you will let us go without question or attempts to take what’s mine. Trust me, I don’t like to share.”

Lorenzo opens his mouth, and then shuts it, a few times before settling on an answer. I use his indecision to further list my demands.

“Before I agree to anything, you’re going to tell me what your plan is. How I fit into it. What Mark’s role is. I’ll assess the threats in my own manner, and if I find double doesn’t cut it, you’re going to raise the number.”

Lorenzo’s eyes widen and his face sinks. He is shocked that aused to beassassin turned hunting store owner isn’t afraid to make demands while standing in front of an unholy king.

“It doesn’t seem I have much of a choice but to agree.”

“You’re right. You don’t.” I take my first step and Mark follows me. “I’ll be in touch about how much it is, and to arrange another meeting. Don’t try to find me. It will only piss me off.”

More than he has already.

Every inch of my skin starts to itch as I get back into my car. This pointless display Lorenzo put on isn’t alluring. The thought of taking his money makes me sick. And where Matteo’s meeting failed to drive the point across, Lorenzo’s vainglorious attempt to win me over only reminds me more about what’s really important.

I have to make him suffer.

I’m furious beyond my own ability to soothe myself. It must be evident on my face because Mark doesn’t say a word.

See you soon, barely makes it out of his lips when I drop him off at his place. And now that it’s time I go back to mine, I find myself stopping in front of Fia’s apartment building, instead.

Tomas isn’t here, unless he somehow managed to drag his bloated, corpse-like physique back here.

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