Page 12 of Revenge & Ruin

There’s silence for a moment, and then. “Where shall I meet you?”

“How about the front entrance to thePlaza Hotel?I think you know it.”

“I’ll be there in six hours.”

I blink. So he really wasn’t in the car? Or is he just finally thinking clearly enough to buy himself some time to gather reinforcements?

“Take your time,” I say lightly. “I’ll be keeping Isabella company while we wait.”

I remove the earpiece and crush it on the floor before I have to hear another of Leon’s furious cries.

Hopefully, that’s enough for him to act impulsively in my favor. The only thing that could get in the way of securing Ida Natali’s location is if he sees through my bluff. Which means I can’t let it get back to him that Isabella is in no real danger.

As pretty as Isabella is, I’m not the kind of man who would stoop to that level.

A slow melody slowly begins to fill the quiet of the room, and I realize the first dance must have started. There’s still a party happening in the next room.

“What’s a Mafia wedding without a bit of drama?” I comment mildly as I remove my knee from Isabella’s back and lock her arms together with my own.

She grunts as I raise us both up to a standing position. “He won’t do it.”

“Do what?”

“Give you my mother,” she snaps at me.

I walk her over to the wall and push her into it face-first. She’serfectly detained and unable to fight back.

“You didn’t hear how much he cared about you,” I reply, trying not to ogle at her as I text Dante.

“What happens if he doesn’t come tomorrow? You’ll be out of bargaining chips.”

I pocket my phone. “Perhaps, but I suppose you might know where your mother is.”

“I’d rather die than tell you” she spits.

I lean in close, my chest pressing against her back as I whisper in her ear. “Oh, you would…eventually.”

I feel her breath catch in her throat. But the satisfaction of scaring her is marred by the sudden flush in her cheeks.

What…

I push against her again experimentally, harder this time, and twisting her arms behind her.

The groan that escapes her lips is…

“The tracker was placed on the Lamborghini before it— oh!”

I pull away from Isabella at the sound of Dante’s voice, feeling oddly caught.

“Dante,” I clear my throat. “Take Ms. Natali to my room and make sure she stays there. Pull backup from the party.”

Thankfully, Dante doesn’t question me as he approaches to drag Isabella away.

She glares at me as she goes. “So what, you expect me to just wait around for you or something?”

I shrug. “I think this place has Netflix. If you get bored.”

“My brother could arrive any minute!”

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