Page 9 of Sinister Engagement

“It’s so lovely to see you,” Jackie cooed, clearly ignoring the tension between her father’s guards and me.

Or purposely interfering,I noted with disdain. The Price family was well known to the criminal underground, and Jacquelina Price’s name especially was no secret. Rumors circulated; snake, cunning,whore. Whispers said she loved this life, the power plays, the games, using anyone to get what she wanted. She wouldn’t have been a sacrificial lamb being married to a man like me, not like Angel. Untouched. Sheltered. But no matter how much Jackie thrived on what she gets to do as part of the family, her games wouldn’t work on me.

“Jacquelina,” I greeted coldly, shifting my attention to her. The two guards practically ran as soon as they had an out.Pathetic.

She flashed me a sultry smile, sliding up next to me and wrapping her hand around my bicep. It wasn’t a gentle grasp, there was a hint of steel behind her slim fingers as it held tight to my sleeve. As soon as she latched on, she leaned closer, rubbing her chest against my shoulder and bit her lower lip. Disgust filled me at the display. The only one who I wanted to relish in soft curves and perky tits was Angel.

Growling at touch, I slipped out from under her grasp, but even though she was no longer holding tight to my arm, she kept pace with me as I strode down the steps and out to the drive. I didn’t even have to look at her to know what she was about to say. Her seductress persona and heated gaze gave her away without needing to speak.

“No,” I turned her down immediately.

She gaped at me, obviously stunned by my blunt reaction. “But you don't even know what I was going to say,” she challenged, crossing her arms which only shoved her cleavage up.

Do people really play these fucking games with her?I wondered in annoyance.

“Yes, I do.” I stopped, turning to glare at her. “No, I do not want to sleep with you. I'm engaged to your sister.” I put my foot down, watching the piss poor attempt at seducing me fade with each word. Anger flashed across her expression for just a second before smoothing into a blank mask.

“Hmm,” she hummed thoughtfully. “Youaregood.” she complimented, no longer attempting pleasantries. Her arms dropped, propping onto her hips as she eyed me as if I was prey and she was the predator. Only she'd be wrong. I could squash her beneath my boot without a second thought.

It’d be quick, but right then, I didn’t wantfastoreasy. I wanted her to suffer, to regret playing games with me. I wondered how loud she’d scream if I cut her. Would she curse me out? No, I realized. Jackie was many things, but strong until the last possible moment wasn’t one of them. She’d beg and plead as I hurt her. And in that moment, that’s exactly what I wanted to do, but I kept the urge at bay, unsure of how Angel would react to me maiming her sister.

“You know, you might be engaged toEvangeline,” she sneered at the name, sauntering forward to close the distance between us again now that I had stopped to wait for my car to be pulled around by the valet. “But she's a virgin,” she admitted, “and I don't know about you, but if you're as good as you say you are, you know very well that she would not make a very good wife to a boss. This business is cutthroat. You need strong alliances. And my sister?” she scoffed, waving a hand, “she's going to get eaten alive.”

I appreciated the amount of work she was putting into trying to run the head of her family, and if I was honest, she probably would have been a good boss. But a boss's wife? Unless that man was only a puppet of a husband, if he had no backbone of his own, one who would let her run the show from barely behind the scenes, then she would succeed. Otherwise, she would quickly learn just what happens to conniving women in this life.

And the Price family wasmine.

But I could see the cunning and calculating spark in her eyes, the insincerity, and the bloodthirstiness. She was, no doubt, as likely to stick a knife in my back as she would an enemy.

“I won't let anything happen to her,” I hissed, closing the distance between us until I towered over her. “And if any harm comes to her fromanyone,” I emphasized, yanking the knife from its normal home. Pressing the cold steel into her stomach until she winced at the sting, I made it blatantly apparent I included her in that statement, “they will see just how good I am. Is that clear?”

Her eyes widened as I slid the blade against her, slicing the dress and her skin slightly in the process. She gulped, nodding. “Of course, Mr. Belmonte,” she said, stepping back.

“Go.” I turned, not giving her a second chance, and slipped behind the wheel as soon as my car arrived. Throwing it in gear, I peeled out of the drive, leaving her standing alone.

* * *

The breeze waswarm as it whipped around me. Neither Raph nor I spoke yet, willing to peruse the streets for a while. My gaze focused on Angel as she scanned the different stalls with a curious gaze and soft frown. Her brows were knitted together in thought, almost as if she were contemplating each item for sale, but her attention continued to dart back to me.Good,I smirked in triumph,I should be what’s on her mind.

“So,” Raph started, cutting off my train of thought, “you seem to be quite content with your choice.” He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye.

“Not sure what gave you that impression,” I stated, knowing full well that I wasn’t hiding my staring. He burst out laughing, his left hand pressed into his stomach, as if he could contain the loud chortling.

“Yeah, you're about as obvious as a brightly painted wall in a funeral home,” he challenged. “I am quite glad to see that she will have someone that can protect her.” His words were quiet, so much so that no one but I could hear him.

“What makes you say that?” I asked, already knowing the answer. It was as clear as day when I first laid eyes on her, but hearing it from her father was different. More personal.

“Angel is not like others in our family or those we do business with. She's soft and caring, and I know that that kind of innocence can get ripped away by the wrong people.”

“Does that include from her own sister?” I inquired. Her earlier attempts were still seared in my mind, my anger still simmering from her games. Raph sighed softly, rubbing a hand on his jaw.

“Jacquelina is … well-versed in what this family is, what we do. She’s always been ambitious and she doesn’t quite understand why Evangeline tries to distance herself. Though, to be fair, I believe I may have made the mistake of letting my youngest live quite so sheltered in her own bubble. Not only from the brashness of her sister but for her own safety as well. It was too difficult after losing my wife to bring our Angel into such a… violent lifestyle. She was pure and unhindered from the dangers of our enemies, but I think it was more my own selfishness to keep her that way than to teach her.”

“Is that why you chose me?” I asked, a sliver of anger building in my veins at the thought of someone putting their hands onmyAngel.

“One of the reasons, yes. But I also know that you wouldn’t hurt her. Not like a lot of other men,” he clarified when I cocked a brow at him. There were sick thoughts that had popped into my head when I was first offered her; now that she was mine, I would rather mold her willingly. To have her crave my cock like I already did for her sweet pussy.

“You know, speaking of being the head of the family,” I started, tucking the thoughts about Angel away. For now. “I did hear some gossip from two of your guards when I was leaving the estate earlier.” I gave him a run-down of what had happened, recapping what I had heard. “As I’m sure you can guess, I would rather not risk any possible threats to our deal.” Raph’s lips had thinned the longer I talked, his friendly demeanor vanishing. As soon as I finished explaining, he leaned over, whispering to his bodyguard low enough that I couldn't hear him.

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