Page 91 of Devil Mine

He claps a friendly palm on my shoulder and shakes my outstretched hand. Cillian owns a large stake in Blackdown, the largest weapons manufacturer in the world, although it’s his brother, Callum, who’s the boss and brains of the operation. Importantly, Cillian owns a number of successful cash businesses such as restaurants, pubs, clubs, and even a few laundromats, through which we launder our money.

“It’s been too long. I heard you were out of the country for a while, is that true?”

“You know how the rumor mill goes,” I answer cryptically.

“I do,” he says with an unhinged smile. “And your name’s been gracing more than a few of those headlines recently. You wouldn’t believe the stories flying around about you and all these dead Italians.”

The Telliers straddle the line between legitimate and illegal businesses, making them incredibly useful and powerful allies. Their ties to international governments surpass even the ones they have in the Underworld. They’re not enemies I’d make lightly, especially given their… personal quirks. Cillian is unashamed of the madness that shines brightly in his eyes even now and Callum is an unfeeling, merciless machine.

They’re fire and ice, those two.

“Are you fishing for information?”

“Oh no,” he says, pretending like what I just said is the craziest thing in the world and not exactly what he’s doing. “Just wondering who would be psychotic enough to kidnap the head of the Italian mafia, especially when he was balls deep in a hooker at the time, or so I heard. Whoever it is, they have my respect for the ballsiest move of the last decade,” he adds with a grin.

“It’s probably someone who won’t stop until he gets the answers he’s looking for.”

He quirks a brow at me. “You want me to pass that message on?”

“I don’t care what you do.”

He barks out a loud laugh, slapping me on the shoulder once more. “Fuck, I’m glad you’re back Thiago. Shit’s significantly less interesting around here when you’re gone.” His thick British accent wraps around every word. “Also, I hear congratulations are in order for your recent nuptials. Is she here? I’d love to meet her.”

“Refrain from using the word “love” in any way when talking about my wife, Cillian.” He puts his hands up, a knowing smile coming across his face and irritating me. “And yes, she’s in the restroom with her friend,” I lie. “Where’s your better half?”

If possible, the crazy in his eyes turns up a couple dozen more notches. A violently possessive look burns in his irises when he talks about her.

“You know my Dahlia, independent as always,” the older man says fondly. “We found out one of our daughter’s schoolmates was bullying her. Dahlia stormed out of the house with two cans of gasoline, a blow torch, and a bad attitude.” He looks down at his watch and nods. “She should be burning their house down right about now. She’ll join us when she’s done and if anyone comes asking, two hundred witnesses will claim she was here all night.” His eyes lift above my shoulder and soften. “Oh, look. She’s ahead of schedule,” he says adoringly.

I turn and watch a strikingly beautiful woman I know well stalk into the ballroom, her long red gown billowing intimidatingly around her. Dark hair frames a pale face that boasts even darker eyes. A scowl twists her features and curls her blood red lips into a daunting sneer as she scans the room. She looks formidable and deadly, someone who absolutely shouldn’t be fucked with. Her features smooth out when she spots her husband, the calmness that washes over her transforming her.

“Good seeing you, Thiago,” Cillian says, striding past me in his rush to get to his wife. “Bring Tess by the club sometime, we’d lo–liketo meet her.”

I watch him walk up to Dahlia and scoop her up in a gruff embrace like he hasn’t seen her in months.

“Topping my ‘Things I’m Deathly Afraid Of’ list is accidentally getting on Dahlia Tellier’s bad side one day,” a voice calls from behind me.

There’s a smile on my lips before I’ve even turned around.

“Valentina.”

She puts her fists on her hips and raises a brow at me. Her gold dress highlights the bronzed color of her skin.

“Hermano,” she answers with a cheeky grin. She knows better than to hug me in public, but she does it anyway.

“Where the hell have you been?” I ask. “I haven’t seen you since I’ve been back. Arturo says you haven’t checked in.”

She looks down and off to the side which I know is her tell.

“I’ve been busy.”

My eyes narrow on her. “With what?”

“Side projects.”

“Valentina…I’ve already warned you about doing your own investigation.”

“I’m not!” she says innocently, putting her hands up. I can’t tell if she’s lying now. “I’m taking a couple of classes, that’s it.”

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