Page 32 of The Vendetti Soldier

Mischa draws in a deep breath, steeling herself for being questioned in a room full of intimidating men. No one here will save her in this; she has to be able to sway us to believe her, and so help me, I want to with everything in me. She’s too damn important to be stabbing us in the back. She means too much, not only to Santino but to me as well.

“I was trying to gather information,” she confesses, her voice unwavering. “I have to know more about the Irish and their plans. I need to help protect our family.”

Valentino scoffs incredulously, and Salvatore places a hand on his shoulder, silencing him. Thankfully, because I don’t think I can handle his shit on top of this right now. We all watch as Matteo studies Mischa intently, searching for any hint of deception in her words.

“I was researching... attempting to discover any possible information that could help us. I swear, Matteo, I would never betray the Empire or the family. I made a vow to both of your brothers on my wedding day that they’d have my loyalty. L-Luciano saved my life. You all saved my papa, trusted him enough to let him stay here when he was hurt. This is my family now too, and I refuse to be pushed aside like a trophy wife. I’m smart, I can help. Let me help you,please,Capo.”

Our brother’s expression remains unreadable as he studies her, weighing her words carefully. The room remains silent, waiting to see where this goes, the only sound being the soft hum of electronics in the background. Then, without warning, he reaches out and grabs the laptop, twisting it around to reveal thescreen. He looks over the open page, scrolling lower, then clicks a few times to see what’s on the other open tabs.

She holds her breath as Matteo scans the contents, his eyes narrowed. After a tense moment, he stands to his full height once again, casting a gaze around the room before pinning it back on our gorgeous, curvy woman. “Severo will be reviewing your history, confirming your explanation.”

“He’s welcome to; I have nothing to hide.”

“No? Then why use Ari’s laptop and not yours if you have nothing to hide?”

“Because I’m new here. I expected your men would be tracking me and monitoring anything I do. I wanted to prove I could be useful to you all before your men decided to break down the door to question me.”

Mio fratello softens just a touch; I can see it in the way his fingers relax at his side, releasing the fist he’d had his fingers curled into. A flicker of something akin to respect crosses his features before he closes the laptop with a decisive snap and stares head-on at Mischa once more. There’s a threat coming; I know it.

“You have spirit, I’ll give you that,” he comments, his tone unreadable. “Severo will confirm what you claim, and we’ll put an end to this speculation. Make no mistake, if we discover any trace of deception...” he allows the implication of his words to hang in the air, unspoken, yet understood by all.

Mischa nods, her resolve unwavering. She has to know she’s putting everything on the line by involving herself in the dangerous world of the Mafia. Part of me wonders how far she’d be willing to go, to take it, to protect those in her newfound famiglia.

Capo’s piercing gaze lingers on me and Santino for a moment before he turns on his heel and strides toward the door without a word, leaving the room in a disquieting silence. Severo follows close behind, his expression inscrutable as he shoots one last suspicious glance at Mischa before disappearing through the doorway. I don’t like this one bit. Not only because I would be such a blind fool if she’s guilty, but because this will cause a new war. One we can’t afford right now, facing down the Bratva on top of the four-leaf-clover collectors. Thank Christ Dante’s marriage has calmed down the beef with the Chicago Crew, or we’d be stretched entirely too thin, wasting away from the pressure of our combined enemies.

I run my hand over my jaw, noticing the stubble needing to be shaved again already, and meet Santino’s worried stare, exchanging a tense look. Uncertainty gnaws at my gut. Mischa continues to stand her ground, chin held high despite the palpable tension in the air and being surrounded by the intimidating presence of mio fratelli. It’s evident she's determined to prove her loyalty to us, no matter the cost. Because if she’s guilty, I have no doubt in my mind that Matteo Vendetti will slit her throat like any other enemy threatening the safety and sanctuary of his famiglia. It’s why he’sRuthless; he never stutters in whatever he may have to do.

Minutes tick by, feeling like hours… hell, it could be at this rate. I’m too busy gnawing on the inside of my cheek, a habit I haven’t had since I was a boy, allowing it to distract me from watching the clock. Finally, the sound of footsteps echoes from the corridor outside, and I release a sigh. My heart quickens as mio fratello re-enters his office, his usually stoic face betraying a trace of surprise.

Beside him, Severo wears an inscrutable mask, adding to the suspense that hangs thick in the air. Matteo clears his throat, breaking the heavy silence by saying, “We’re still looking into everything, but for the most part, your story checks out.”

Chapter 16

Her love will seep into your veins like Mozart and morphine. One sip, one taste, one touch, one intoxicating breath ... you'll never be the same. -Melody Lee

Mischa

My heart pounds erraticallyas I make my way out of Capo’s office, the weight of his steely, judging gaze burning a hole in my back as I go. The man is a force, and the fact he easily holds my fate in a few words, especially after coming from my own somewhat influential family, is extremely nerve-wracking. Santino and Luciano flank me on my trek, their combined silence from my public questioning is more deafening than any words they can say at the moment. The tension in theair is palpable,suffocating, if you will. My breaths are shallow as I attempt to act calm and cool in front of them when, in reality, it’s as if the very walls of the Estate are closing in on me.

Santino’s disappointment radiates off him in waves, the impact hitting me harder than I’d ever expect. His usual easy-going demeanor towards me that I’ve grown to anticipate has been replaced by a cold, hard mask. He’s every bit of thesoldatoright now, his namesake, as a Mademan in the Empire.

Luciano’s eyes flicker between me and the floor, his jaw clenching and unclenching in a show of restrained anger. He’s the one who is usually quick to let me know when I’ve displeased him in some way, the one who will spank me if he thinks I deserve it. In this case, I’d prefer his demanding tone, telling me to get to my knees and take his dick like the naughtybambolahe thinks I am.

I know I’ve let them down, tarnished my reputation, and our marriage in the eyes of their powerful Capo. I wish I could do something to turn back a few days to let them know my plans ahead of time so when this eventually came up, they could confidently counter how they already knew my plan and hopefully be proud of me for whatever I could eventually find. I wanted to prove myself, my worth in the eyes of the family, and while I didn’t technically do anything wrong…I’ve messed up. I should’ve gone to them directly, told them my plan, stood my ground, and then proven myself. Exactly as Papa has taught us to do.

To be brave and stand up for what we need.

He would tell me, “You’re strong, my Mischa. Men will underestimate you; you must prove you’re not only beautiful but a worthy opponent. Should you be by their side rather than killing them, show them you are the best kept secret they can ever have,budushchiy pravitel.”

Silently, I repeat the words in my mind, reminding myself I’m worthy of the name Vendetti. I’m stronger and smarter than any other woman under this roof, aside from maybe Violet, but she’s had years to learn the family’s temperament and how to navigate them to get what she wants. If this were Russia, any man there would be on their knees asking Papa for my time. Santino and Luciano have to see reason; I need to find a way to make them listen to me.

As the three of us step into the dimly lit corridor, I can’t shake the feeling of being watched, monitored. Every creak of the floorboards sends shivers down my spine, each lowly illuminated light bulb along the hallway casting eerie shadows, seemingly to whisper accusations. The weight of the men’s disappointment eats away at me with every second that passes. I’ve let my guard down too quickly. I care for them too much; I can see it clearly now. Not only Santino, but Luciano as well.

They’re different people, yet so similar when they’re apart, but when they’re together, they somehow balance each other out. I think it’s why the sex is beyond phenomenal when it’s with both of them. Don’t get me wrong, each man is amazing in bed… but together? I’ve never had anything come close to it before.

Santino's hand brushes mine, the heat of his touch sending a jolt of electricity through my body. The air is thick with unspokenwords and my desires, as the weight of my mistake looms heavily between us. I need to figure this out, how to make it up to them, even though I was only trying to help. What do I say in a situation like this? I’m sorry you’re upset with me and I embarrassed you in front of your brothers, but also, I didn’t do anything wrong? Something tells me those are not the words they want to hear, nor the right ones to say in a situation such as this.

The hallway seems to stretch on, the narrow walls closing in around me as I struggle to keep up with my racing thoughts. “Where are we going?” I finally muster up some courage to ask, my voice barely above a whisper. My question hangs in the air, heavy with expectation and my silent longing.

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