Page 38 of As Angels Sin

“As much as it stings, buddy, Tomas lives.” It’s Mark’s turn to speak, and also confirmation of his choosing them over me.

So be it.

“Why?” I’m focused on Matteo. He’s the shot caller. The others are of little value.

“I told you. One boss is worse than two—”

“Yeah, yeah, we don’t have to go into that again. But why him? I’m sure there are tons of weasel-faced fucks in the Napoli family, who would froth at the mouth for this opportunity. Lemme have him, and I’ll walk away peacefully.” I can’t deal with another monologue from Matteo.

I get it. His masterplan has come to fruition. However, Matteo isn’t an evil genius trying to rule the world, and I’m not a superhero caught in his net. We’re men. Ambitious and like-minded, to some degree. If he gives me what I want, Iwillwalk away. Fiametta doesn’t need to know about Matteo and Mark’s involvement, and we can get away from all of the shit of that world.

If he doesn’t give me what I want, I’ll have to take it. And I can’t see that option working out for anyone in this room, including myself.

“For fuck’s sake, man, I’m right here.” Tomas stares at me with his beady eyes, a frown on his thin face.

“So?”

“Listen, Crue...brother,” Mark tries to drag my attention away from the intense showdown Matteo and I are having with our eyes. But like every poor sod who falls into this staring contest of supremacy, he’s going to lose. They always do.

“Take the girl and get the fuck out of here, if you aren’t willing to hear Matteo out,” he advises.

“Take thewhat?” Tomas shouts across the room.

The corner of my lip ticks up at his outburst, which inspires the same reaction from Matteo.

“Didn’t you tell him?”

Matteo shakes his head. “He’s a big boy. He’ll get over it.”

“This isn’t what we agreed,” Tomas snarls at Matteo. He leans over the table, bringing face right up to theone true Donand adds. “I did what you wanted, and I’m taking that bitch. I willbreak her in. And then, maybe this prick can have my sloppy seconds.”

Without breaking eye contact with me, Matteo strikes Tomas’s cheek with a flat palm. It’s thunderous and drives the old second-in-charge back into his chair, dazed and confused.

“You are behaving like a fucking child, Tomas. This is a man’s world, and you’re not going to sully it with little tantrums.” Matteo wipes his palm down the front of his jacket.

“Chilling,” I say dryly.

“To the bone,” Mark adds, as if we’re riffing off one another like the good old days.

“See, this is why I like you two. You’re fearless, even when you should be shitting your pants. Do you know how unstoppable the four of us would be together?”

I’ve weighed up the odds, and just the three of them are going to be one hell of a molehill to climb.

“Join us, Crue. You’re above the tedium and bullshit of our political games,” Matteo gestures between himself and Tomas. “And you and Mark have so much on offer, I’d give you just about anything to have you both with me.”

“Him.” I point at Tomas.

“Apart from that,” Matteo scoffs. At least he’s taking it with good humor.

“Come now, don’t make this harder than it needs to be. We’re offering you the girl, and Tomas here agrees.” Matteo pauses, and gestures with a flat palm in Tomas’s direction. “Don’t you?”

“I do,” he chokes on an inhale and coughs it up.

“Stay with her here, take her and go, it doesn’t matter to me. But youwillcease this pointless bloodlust.”

“What have you done to get him wrapped so tightly around your finger?” I tip my neck to the side, searching Matteo’s face for an answer I know it won’t give away.

“I gave him everything,” Matteo grins. Can the same be said for Mark? I thought he was like me that he wanted for nothing and made his own enjoyment. Yet here he stands, siding with my enemy. “And I’ll do the same for you.”

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