Page 60 of Sinful Promise

“Ah, I have to say, I never saw you as a romantic,” Irina teases.

“You didn’t,” I snap.

“Right,” she replies, taking my gruffness in stride.

“Way to go, Roman,” Alex says, getting a jab in.

“We have a fortress to see,” I say, changing the subject.

We pass a shop with a tourist center sign for people with questions. Other storefronts offer services for underwater excursions. The island is great for snorkeling, and there are numerous beaches. These aren’t the typical stores found in a mall, but rather privately owned businesses. The island is run by Italians who live here and only speak Italian. I hope it never changes.

We stay to the right and follow the street as it wraps around the curve of the port. The other side of the harbor has two restaurants, both known for their seafood and pasta. Seafood is best when it’s fresh from the sea. I hope my little bird will like seafood. I mentally note the time, as most things on the Elba close for the afternooncontrora.

“Well, I am looking forward to pasta, seafood, and vino this afternoon,” Alex adds.

Irina cheerfully breezes pass us in a wide-brimmed straw hat, palazzo pants, and a matching white top that comes to a bow at her belly button. She’s a pretty girl, but I’ve never been physically attracted to her.

“Oh, my, I see a gelato sign.” Irina points out the street vendor as we round the corner. Italian ices and gelato are requisite in warm climates, and today is going to be brutally hot.

The island is made up of hills. Most are steep. I scan the horizon out of habit. I know what’s it like to be a killer and where I’d sit and wait to get my shot. I’ve been known to hit my target when they are on vacation, and now is not the time to be lax. I can’t let Andrian and his men get a jump on us.

Monaco makes more sense than Elba for what Alex has in mind for an exchange. Regardless, Andrian will be dealt with sooner rather than later. If he is behind the hit on my father, my brothers will also want their revenge.

We have two guards with us, one for the girls, and one with us. We all wear a gun clip under our button-down shirts. I’m not expecting trouble, but I have the playbook in my head. It’s taken me years to find a woman who understands me and can tease me without fear of retribution, and I’ll be damned if I ever let any man touch Dasha.

Alex walks up from behind and flanks me on my left. We scan our surroundings. I doubt that Dasha’s father could have tracked our location during the short window we were vulnerable. It would be nearly impossible to pick my vessel out of all the boats off the coast of France the first day we arrived. Naturally, Ratmim would assume the ring was defective when he lost track of her the first time.

I hate assumptions.

Alex and I leave the girls with the guards as they wait in line for gelato. No matter how many countries try duplicating the recipe, it’s not the same as Italian gelato.

Even away from the crowd, we remain vigilant. I’m looking past Alex, and he’s looking past me as we stand next to one another.

“Roman, I’ve been thinking. This mess with Andrian is coming to a head soon. Have you considered giving Dasha to him?”

My head snaps like a whip, quick and deadly. My eyes narrow on his. “She’s mine,” I growl. “Anyone who fucking touches her dies. I’ll protect her with my life. We’ve muddied the waters. Andrian hates us, and if he learns I’ve fucked her, he’ll kill her. I can’t live with that. Can you?” I stare into my friend’s eyes.

“No, I’m just trying to be your advisor and make sure you’ve considered all the options. She lifts your spirits and makes you smile. You deserve to be happy. She’s your light to the real riches in life, the things money can’t buy,” he finishes, and nods toward the girls.

We watch the vendor hand them cups of lemon gelato and two spoons. I step forward and pay him before returning to Alex.

“What I’d like to do is frame Andrian with drugs. We know it’s one of his vices. He’s been tagged as an international supplier of fentanyl and heroin. I’m sure Irina can be of assistance.” She not only has connections in criminal circles, but she also has them inside the government.

“She will. She has friends who can help, too.” Alex nods.

“Yes.” I pause. “She does.” Planning a hit while standing in the middle of the town square feels odd. The tourists walking past haven’t a clue.

“Do you have a plan?” he asks.

“Not definitive, but I’m thinking about it. I need to reach out to Andrian with my demands. Pavel will keep an eye on him and let us know what transpires after that. I will send some men. We need more information. Andrian has been one step ahead of us.”

“Once you set the terms of the exchange, we have to end this, once and for all.”

“We will,” I promise, kicking the small white stones at my feet.

“We’ll pull it off,” Alex replies. “I might not be in love, but I want to live long enough to find it one day.”

“We know Monaco. How difficult would it be to set up the meeting before the gala this weekend? We can take care of his guards and him. Then we attend the gala as a cover. No one would ever know. Talk about sinful pleasures. Taking that scum off the streets is long overdue.”

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