Page 80 of A Beautiful Crime

Leaning in he says, “And you don’t dance with anyone. You’re discreet with your women. She was on full display. Claiming her so soon? Or is she just a pawn to get what you want?”

If I was boiling before, I'm steaming now. Visions of red dance before me as I imagine Tao’s pristine designer white crisp button down bathed in his blood.

Straightening myself in the chair, broadening my shoulders and giving him my best known menacing stare I threaten coldly, “Call her a pawn again and your next breath will be your last.”

He holds his hands up in surrender, eyes waving in the white flag. While Tao may be feared amongst his own men no one is quite feared like me. “My apologies, Constantine.” His expression becomes somber. “Then the rumors swirling about the girl must be true.”

Rumors. I didn’t realize we weren’t men and suddenly we’ve turned back time to be preadolescents. “Careful what you say regarding her, Tao. Last warning.” If I have to hear one more person refer to her as an Ice Queen I’m painting the city red.

Tao’s eyes narrow, trying to read me as best as he can. But I’ve done laid my cards on the table. Threaten what’s mine, say a word against what’s mine, come anywhere near what’s mine and you die. “I won’t apologize twice, Constantine,” he then warns me. “We’ve all heard the whispers of Savio gifting you his daughter in exchange for an alliance.”

Savio and his big fucking mouth. His greed will be his end one day. And soon.

“I’ve agreed to business with you Constantine because I am not a stupid man, but I am wary of Savio being involved with the affairs.” He voices his concern rather boldly. The only person who can question my business affairs is Rico. Soon, Carina will be a part of the business, but she hasn’t even accepted the darkness inside her. How can I expect her to rule the underworld with me? Prattling on he says, “He’s cunning and sleazy. An Italian mob traditionalist that hasn’t tried to at least adapt to modern times.” He’s right of course. Savio is a pure Italian mob traditionalist straight from Sicily. His way of thinking is still stuck in the mid 1900’s. Tao has every right for his reservations, but he has no right to voice them to me.

“And you think you can question me?”

“Question you? No,” he responds businesslike. He then, too, straightens in his chair, losing his relaxed posture. His jaw flexes as his eyes stare hardly into mine. I know an intimidation tactic when I see one. And I’m sure this works on lesser men. But I’m more than just a man, I’m the Devil. “I’m only brave enough to tell you what everyone else you do business with is thinking. There’s a reason why Savio’s hook hasn’t been biting and yet you took the bait with his daughter.”

I’ve always considered myself a man who thought first before he continued with his actions. One who didn’t allow his emotions to govern him.

But the truth of the matter is I’ve never been that type of man where Carina is concerned.

I pull out my gun that’s been concealed in my suit jacket and kiss the barrel right against Tao’s forehead.

I’ll give the fucker credit, he doesn’t blink and he doesn’t budge. He stares at me with those dark eyes daring me to pull the trigger. And my finger is all too happy to. “You will respect her, Tao. Capisce?”

“You’re showing a weakness, Constantine. Not a smart move,” he advises all too calmly.

“Carina will never be a weakness,” I correct him. “A weakness would be knowing you faked the death of your younger sister to save her from marrying the head of the Bratva. A dying will from your father you had to fulfill once you became the leader of The Triads.” I smile cunningly at him. He doesn’t blink, however the vein in his neck begins to pulsate. “A weakness would be knowing her location and giving the hounds a piece of meat until they find her.” He swallows but his eyes are filled with rage.

Through terse lips he seethes, “You wouldn’t dare.”

I smile wider. “Ah, but I would.” Tucking my gun away because it’s no longer the true threat I give him a warning of my own. “Disrespect her again and Kirill will have his blushing bride.”

Tightly he bites, “You really live up to your name, don’t you?”

“It’s amazing how some people still can’t comprehend how I obtained it in the first place.” I chuckle darkly.

He settles, then. As best as he can knowing that I know his very best dark hidden secret. “Water under the bridge, then?” He suggests.

“Sure,” I amend, half amused. “If that will make you sleep better at night. I trust the next shipment will come with no complications.” The complications being his fucking mouth.

He reads between the lines, giving a curt nod of his head. “Of course.”

Feeling a familiar presence behind me I slightly turn my head to find Pietro by my side. I raise a brow at him in question. “It’s time to leave in order for your dinner, sir.”

A rush of excitement returns in my veins. The anticipation for dinner with Carina tonight has consumed me all day.

I nod my head. “Grazie.” Pietro takes a step back as I rise from the chair, buttoning my suit jacket as I do. Tao rises as well, out of respect.

“I do hope you take my invitation on visiting Hong Kong,” Tao says.

“I’ll have to see if I can make the time,” I respond. Tao reads between the lines once again, a flat line on his lips as he nods his head. I wave my finger around the joint. “Stay and have dinner if you please. Free of charge.”

He shakes his head. “I have an early flight back to Hong Kong tomorrow. It’ll be best if I prepare for the long flight ahead of me.” Adjusting his cuff links he then extends his hand. I could not take it. He’s done disrespected my future wife and questioned my choices as a Don. It’s enough to warrant his death. But alas, even I can make amends. I take his hand, giving a firmer shake than I normally do.

“Safe travels, Tao.”

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