Page 75 of Sinful Pleasure

“It’s just not in the cards for me.”

There was a pause, then a sigh.

“If there’s one thing I know about you, it’s that you never back down from a fight. If there’s something eating at you, you’ll figure it out. You always do.”

I nodded, though she couldn’t see me.

“Thanks, Tam.”

“Anytime,” she said. Then, with a teasing lilt, she added, “But if you suddenly fall head over heels for Angelo, I better be the first to know.”

I forced a laugh, though my chest felt heavy.

“Sure.”

*****

MADDOX

Lately, it seems people are hell-bent on testing the limits of my already non-existent kindness.

One of those people is sitting right in front of me—my dear brother.Angelo’s calm, detached demeanor is a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside me.

He’s sitting there—behind his desk, flipping through documents like nothing happened, and it’s infuriating.

Without a second thought, I slammed the folder he was reviewing shut, the sound echoing sharply in the room. His head snapped up, finallymeeting my glare.

“What the hell did you do in Italy to screw up so bad that everyone turned against us?”

He calmly pushed my hand off the desk, shooting me a warning glare of his own.

“Nothing,” he said flatly.

“Try again,” I snarled, leaning closer across the desk, my fists pressing into the wood. “And this time, think twice before lying to me.”

He held my gaze, trying to play it cool, but I could see the slight flicker of unease in his eyes.

“We’ve spent years building our reputation,” I continued, my voice low and menacing, every word laced with venom.

“Years, Angelo. We earned our place by spilling rivers of blood. I spilled rivers of blood for this family.” I slammed my fist onto the desk. “And you—you—managed to screw it all up in a single night.”

My sanity hung by a thread. All I wanted at that moment was to smash his head against the desk—again and again—just to see if the useless excuse of a brain he’s hiding in there would spill out.

I warned our father.I told him Angelo wasn’t the right person to send to that meeting. But he didn’t listen. He sent him anyway.

These aren’t ordinary men. These are the worst of the worst.

I know them. I’ve met them. I’ve seen the look in their eyes—the kind that tells you they wouldn’t hesitate to slit your throat and laugh while you bled out.

And yet—if it comes down to it, I’ll show them why you don’t mess with us. I’ll teach them a lesson they’ll never forget.

If it’s blood they want, I’ll give it to them.

With fucking pleasure.

“They threatened us,” Angelo yelled, slamming his hands onto the desk, his voice filled with frustration and guilt.“They said they’d go after Allyn if we didn’t back off. I couldn’t fucking risk it.”

For a brief moment, his words froze me in place. I clenched my fists, my nails biting into my palms as I felt a surge of violent intent flood my veins.

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