Page 124 of A Beautiful Crime

And so there wasn’t.

Was I photographed with women from time to time? Took one of many to different events to give the illusion of a playboy billionaire who didn’t give a damn? Of course I had. But I never touched one of them. Was never even tempted to.

How could I possibly want anyone else when she was out there.

How could I give a part of myself, sex, to someone insignificant when she held my heart in her hands.

When I don’t hear Rico talking my gaze snaps to him. I arch a brow at him and he responds apathetically, “I don’t see the point in talking if one isn’t listening.”

Only Rico can say such a thing to me and still have his tongue. “I was listening.”

“My sincerest apologies,” he begins with none at all, “I meant when one isn’t paying attention.”

I hum in response. Can’t quite argue with the man when he isn’t wrong. Straightening my posture in my chair I then give him my undivided attention. I raise a cool brow. “You were saying?”

Dropping the manila folder on my desk the contents spill out. Found in the photographs are masked men who have stolen our recent shipment of guns from my new business partner, Tao Haung. Ten million dollars worth of unmarked guns and ammunition have been stolen.

And while the transaction has been successful with Tao, he had entrusted me with the shipment. The stolen shipment could lead to weaker men spilling secrets. My men would never talk. Any others would fucking squeal.

With Tao’s dislike towards The Fiore Famiglia known, his response to this loss of shipment won’t be received well.

If Carina didn’t want to kill him herself I would be tempted to unload a magazine into Luca’s head.

But I would never take that from her.

Luca is hers to kill.

I promised her.

As I scan over the photographs I ask, “Do we have evidence of this being Luca’s men?”

“The tattoo on the wrist of a soldier whose sleeve had been rolled up bared their crest.” My eyes find the wrist he is speaking of in the third photo. And there it is. The damning evidence once again of Luca interfering in my affairs.

It’s more than enough for war.

Except that is what Luca expects. And of everything my great late father has taught me is to retaliate with the unexpected.

A knock then happens at the door. Thinking it’s either Gino or Pietro I order brusquely, “Come in.”

Yet as soon as the doors open, my eyes still on the photographs, I can tell just by the change of air who has entered the office.

And my blood sings for her.

My heart finds its beat when I meet those exquisite emerald eyes.

I can never explain the reaction my body has when I see her. How my blood roars to life. My heart beating out of my chest to rest rightfully in the palm of her hands. The air charged with sparks causing my breathing pattern to change. All of my senses heightened to her.

Being in her presence is the most exhilarating I’ll ever feel and yet also the most calming.

While I marvel at the sight of her I find her doing the same with me.

It’s as if we are seeing each other for the first time.

And perhaps we are.

Before me is a new woman.

A woman who succumbed to her desires and darkness. A woman who now knows where she belongs. A queen. My queen.

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