Page 115 of Vicious Addictions

“Actually,thespy that I’ve come to rescue. He’s the one who was able to feed us such precious intel.”

“Ah, I see. So it’s true? Your spy’s cover has been blown?”

“I’m afraid so,” I confirm. “It must have happened when he got too close to the real villain at play.”

“You think your spy knows who is behind all of this?”

“I do,” I repeat steadfastly.

“Then, my men are ready to help you however you see fit.”

“Thank you, but that won’t be needed. The twins and I work better alone. All I need is a few days to track him down. I promise I’ll give you the name of the man you want.”

Vincent offers me a curt nod in appreciation.

“Thank you,” Vincent finally says. “Now that business has been conducted, it would give me great pleasure if you and your cousins would join me and my family for dinner tomorrow night. After all, what kind of host would I be if I didn’t show you the same hospitality your father showed my son?”

“Funny you would word it that way, considering you punished him for it.” I let out a humorless chuckle.

His expression flickers, but he recovers quickly. “That was a long time ago.”

“A Crane never forgets.”

Or forgives.

“But since you brought up the subject, my father hoped this meeting could serve as a step toward fortifying the reconciliation between our families.”

“Only your father?” Vincent is quick to pick up on my hesitancy.

“I have my own thoughts on the matter.”

He studies me yet again, only to stand up and extend his hand to help me up from my seat.

“Well then, perhaps I can persuade you to share those thoughts with me tomorrow after dinner.”

“You can ask, Mr. Romano, but you might be disappointed with my reply,” I retort, using his own words against him.

And this time, his smile isn’t just for show—his eyes shine with it.

Chapter 20

Jude

“So… what do you think?” Gio asks, once the Cranes have left, dropping not one bomb—but two on us.

“About what?”

“Come on, Vince. Don’t play dumb with me.” Gio’s eyes gleam with something between amusement and calculation. “You were just as shocked as I was to learn that Crane is stepping down this year. Not only that, but to hand his seat over to his daughter? You got to give it to him, that was one bold ass move.”

“She seems capable enough,” my father replies in his usual monotone tone. “Besides, the British have always been more progressive regarding these things. I was neither surprised nor shocked that Crane named Mina as his successor. Who else could’ve been?”

“Not those twins, for one,” Dom adds his own two cents into the conversation. “One of them looked like he had a few screws loose in the head. And the other? Fuck. I got chills just looking into his eyes.”

“Remus and Rolo aren’t everyone’s cup of tea,” I chime in.

“They sure as fuck don’t like you, that’s for sure,” Dom retorts. “I had half a mind to rearrange their pretty faces just to stop them from mad-dogging you. The fuck happened between you three anyway?”

“Nothing,” I lie.

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