Page 62 of Rotten Men

“Yes, and believe me when I say that retribution for the death of the man who raised him as his own will be made. You killed my son’s father. Even if I wasn’t made aware of all the other lives you took from me, know that you merited your end by my hands when you took James away from my son, Ciro.”

“Hmm. I see. Well,rosa,I think this conversation has been enlightening for all of us. But this ends now,” he states point blank.

“Take him to see the boy,” he commands, waving at hiscapos.

“I’m not leaving Selene alone with you!”

“She is in far better hands with me than she ever was with you,” he throws back at me.

The twocapostry to keep their hold on me, but I plunge my elbow in one of their guts, and he plummets to the ground, while I wrestle with my other imprisoner.

“Nuh, huh. I wouldn’t do that, Vincent.” Ciro shouts, and I turn to see him aiming a gun to my head.

“Ciro, don’t,” Selene begs, holding onto his waist to stop his temper. The image of her touching him in such a way wounds me more than any weapon Ciro could wield against me.

“Selene,” I croak, and she turns her head with pleading, watering eyes.

“Just go check on Jude, Vincent. Please,” she begs. “My son must be so frightened, and it’s tearing me up inside not knowing. Please, Vincent, if you love me at all, make sure he’s alright.”

Broken-hearted, I nod my defeated consent.

“If one hair of hers is out of place when I come back, I’ll kill you with my bare hands.”

“Oh, cousin. Threats are only powerful when you are willing to do whatever necessary to see them through. You lack the conviction, Vincent. I don’t.”

“Don’t fall victim to your own arrogance, Ciro. Remember that’s what blindly led Silvio to his death.”

“Well said. I’ll make a note of your sage advice,cugino,and treasure your parting words,” he replies, then lowers his lips to kiss Selene’s head with a triumphant smile. “Take him to the boy and then place them both in the cellar. I’ll be there shortly.”

“Yes, boss,” one of the cronies replies and pulls me away, closing the door to the room that holds the only woman I have ever loved, and the only man crazy enough to steal her away from me.

Twenty-Two

Selene

Once the door is closed, and Vincent is far from harm’s way, I lower my arms from Ciro’s waist. Unfortunately, he is intent on keeping his hold on me.

“I’ve missed you,” he whispers in my ear, summoning a cool chill to run down my spine.

His hands stroke my back lovingly, and I try to lean into his embrace, hoping he doesn’t sense my repulsion to his touch. Ciro takes my chin into his hand and tilts my face to look up at him.

“You are just as beautiful as the first day I saw you,rosa. The years have been good to you.”

“I disagree. For the past ten years, I have been afraid of everyone and everything because of you,” I reply evenly.

“You shouldn’t have run. Your place has always been at my side. Tonight we start anew, and you will see for yourself just what destiny has reserved for us,” he cajoles, running his fingers under my chin, always so tenderly.

“All we are destined for is death, Ciro,” I murmur melancholically.

“Not true,cara mia. Don’t let Vincent’s words leave your perfect lips again. A dead man’s last attempt to unnerve me should not have the echo of your lovely voice.”

I lower my gaze, not able to disguise how his constant threat on Vincent’s life slays my very soul. Sensing my unease, Ciro picks my hand up and touches the back of my fingers soothingly, before lifting it to his lips, leaving a gentle kiss on each knuckle. I squint my eyes, as he showers me with his brand of affection.

Once he’s somewhat satisfied, he ushers me to follow him behind my father’s desk, having us both step over the perished devil himself. Before Ciro sits down, he lifts me up with ease and sits me on the mahogany desk’s edge. He pulls his chair close enough to be able to wrap his arms around my waist, cradling his head between my breasts, breathing in my very essence.

He’s giving me all this tenderness, but in his hesitant breath, I hear his plea for me to show him my own. I submit to his request, knowing that I need to keep him tempered long enough for Vincent to grab Jude and then come back for me. Ciro sent only two armed men with him, but if he truly knew my love as I do, he would have tripled Vincent’s escorts. Twomade menstand no chance against a vengeful, angry Vincent.

I stroke his dark blond hair, feeling the soft texture ignites my churning stomach. I bite down hard on my tongue, hoping the metallic tang of my blood keeps my bile at bay. Ciro’s shoulders relax, and his breathing evens out, sounding like a content purr. We stay like this for what feels like an eternity, but then Ciro leans back far enough to place a tender kiss on my temple, and the flare of love in his eyes terrifies me even further.

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