Page 23 of Wicked Angel

“It won’t happen again,” the man wheezed in my grip. I squeezed tighter, feeling my rage bubble upward.

“No,” I agreed. “It certainly won’t.”

With my free hand, I reached beneath my jacket and withdrew my gun, flicking off the safety before I settled the barrel beneath his chin. The guard’s eyes widened and his nostrils flared as he realized how serious I was.

“As of right now, Evangeline Price is more precious to you than your own fucking family, do you understand?” My words were clear. Succinct.

The guard in my grip nodded sharply, his breath disappearing as I tightened my grip. I spun my gaze down the line and the rest nodded as well.

“Evangeline Price is more than your charge,” I continued. “She’s your future queen.” I released the man in my grip and turned slowly to meet the other guard’s gaze. The man bowed his head, coughing and wheezing for breath.

“She is going to be mywife,” I murmured, moving with silent steps away from the guard. “And she will carry the next Price Heir.”

Raff watched me, his eyes cool and dissatisfied. Even now, I could tell he wanted to step. His fists clenched at his sides. After so many years of being in charge, it was hard for him to let me take control, but it was better now since I would soon be the head of the house. It was already rare enough for a mafia head to retire in a way that didn’t end at the wrong end of a bullet. He knew that as well as I did. It was why he was letting go—he had to or this would never work.

As it stood, his men all stared at him as if waiting for him to speak up. Smart of him, though, he never did. Instead, Raff merely folded his arms across his chest and waited. He watched. Observing me. I wasn’t so naïve to think it was out of support—no, this too, was a test. To see if I was worthy to rule.

“It wasyourjob to protect her, and you failed,” I said to the line of men. “If something like this ever happens again, it will be your lives on the line.”

The guard standing slightly behind Raff eyed me with a narrowed look. I arched a brow his way. “Something to say?” I challenged him.

Finally, Raff spoke. “Giuseppe?”

The guard circled to the side of the desk, squaring off with me as his eyes darkened. “Yes, if you will allow it, Mr. Price.”

Raff waved his hand toward the two of us. Giuseppe faced off with me, glaring. “You are not yet the head of the Price Family,” he snapped. “You have no power to command us.”

I tilted my head to the side, my finger flicking against the gun in my grip. It would be so damn easy to just put a bullet in him and prove mypower. In this world, it was ‘might makes right,’ and I had it in spades. I waited, though, curious to see if anyone else would step forward.

“Is that how you all feel?” I demanded.

No one said a word. Good, I thought. Smart men. All save for this one.

Returning my attention to Giuseppe, I stepped forward until we were chest to chest. He was a shorter man but stocky—barrel-chested and gruff. His dark beard covered most of his lower face, but it didn’t completely hide the disdain in his expression.

“An American such as yourself wouldn’t understand this world,” he snapped, growling. “You may think you have some ability—however, Master Raffaello has not yet stepped down. Until he does, you haven’t earned our loyalty.”

I nodded as I slid my gun back into its holster—an action he noted as his muscles relaxed just as I’d expected. “You’re right,” I said. His eyes widened in surprise. “I haven’t earned your loyalty, except I don’t have to. You belong to the Price Empire and soon, I will own that Empire. Evangeline Price will be mine.”

Without giving him a moment’s warning, I shifted—moving quickly before he could react. Out of instinct, he reached for his weapon, but it was too late. I had already withdrawn a blade I always kept hidden at my side. A bullet wouldn’t earn their respect, but proof that I had more than ability … that would do something. If a Master couldn’t contain his subjects, then he was worthless.

Gripping the man about the waist, I turned and slammed him down against the surface of Raff’s desk. He cursed and threw his first punch, I dodged it—letting it fly over my shoulder as he struggled against my hold. A moment later, he froze as I dug the tip of my knife into the fleshy side of his abdomen.

“Careful,” I said slyly. “One wrong move, friend, and I might just disembowel you.”

He cursed again and bucked against me. “Fine,” I replied. “Have it your way.” I shoved the blade home but didn’t twist or slice through his stomach.

A pained grunt filled the room as I pulled the blade back and let the man slump forward, going to his knees between my legs and the desk. Blood seeped over his fingers as he pressed against the wound. The room was frozen.

“Let this be a lesson,” I stated, holding up the blood-soaked blade in my hand. More blood dripped over my fingers as it slid down the metal and handle of the knife. “Fail at your duties again, especially when it comes to Evangeline Price, and you will pay dearly.”

One of the guards reached for his gun with shaking hands. “You can’t just—” he started, only to freeze as Raffaello held up a hand.

“Enough,” Raff barked, his eyes shutting for a brief moment. When they reopened, they were blazing with fiery anger. “Gaven’s right. My daughter,the Price Heir, was almost murdered today. You don’t have to agree with his methods, although you do need to accept the consequences of what happened and the lack of respect the rest of you have shown him. It won’t happen again, am I clear? Because if it does, then Gaven will handle the punishments.”

Silence echoed back from the guards at Raff’s statement.

I slid the knife back into the sheath without caring to wipe the blood from the blade. The guard’s quiet groans of pain filled the room as I twisted my shirtsleeves around my forearms. “I’m going to check on Angel,” I informed Raff as I headed for the door, “and then I’ll be making the arrangements to have the ceremony moved up.”

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