Page 27 of Kissing the Villain

“Yes, he’s fine.” Marcello extended his hand. “Come with me.”

I couldn’t trust Marcello or his family. They were thieves and murderers disguised in Brioni suits. The Salvatores did nothing but lie and cheat to get what they wanted.

I pushed out my hand, and he halted like a good dog. “Why are you here instead of Luca?”

“Luca’s in Italy on a business trip. He will be home on Saturday for my father’s Midsummer Night’s Dream masquerade ball.”

I reached into my messenger bag and fished out my cell phone. The phone rang once before my grandfather answered. “I was just about to call. Are you with Marcello?”

“Yes. He says you sent him. Is that true?”

“I’m sorry, Alex,” Pops said in a hushed tone. “Just go with Marcello. He’ll make sure you get to Devil’s Creek. He won’t hurt you.”

After what they did to Aiden, I couldn’t trust them. But my grandfather wouldn’t put me in harm’s way.

“I can’t leave,” I shot back. “I’m halfway through the chapel restoration with Madeline Laveau.”

“This cannot wait, Alex.”

“I’ll never get another opportunity like this. Madeline won’t work with me if I bail on her without notice.”

“Let me handle her,” he said in an authoritative tone. “I will explain everything when you arrive.”

A horrible feeling churned in my gut as my eyes locked on Marcello. Luca had sent him here to bring me back to Devil’s Creek. When I’d left, I thought I was done with the Salvatores. I had planned to move on with my life and hopefully find some normalcy.

“Okay,” I agreed. “But I want answers.”

Pops let out a relieved breath. “I’ll see you soon.”

Marcello flashed a satisfied grin like he won because the Salvatores always got their way. Once again, I was about to be a pawn in a rich man’s game.

13

ALEX

Ten minutes later,Marcello pulled into the parking lot at my apartment building. I lived in a two-bedroom in Brooklyn that often smelled like the Chinese restaurant next door. But it beat living in Devil’s Creek.

I wasn’t ready to let go of Aiden, not when I had a feeling he was still alive. So, I rented the extra room and filled it with his belongings, hoping he would come back to me.

I hopped out of the SUV, my messenger bag slung over my shoulder like another appendage. You never know when you’ll need a sketchbook or charcoal.

We climbed the stairs to the third floor in silence. Marcello breathed on my neck as I jammed the key into the lock. He smelled of the bay and sandalwood, his body pressed into mine, heat radiating off him. I wanted to get back at Luca for being a dick. So, I rubbed my ass on his cock.

“Alex,” he groaned, a warning to his tone. “Stop it.”

I wiggled my ass. “Make me.”

He pushed me against the door, his lips dangerously close to my ear. “I know what you’re doing. It won’t work.”

I reached behind me to feel his erection. “I think it’s working just fine.”

Marcello stepped backward and out of my grasp. “No more games. Get a move on.”

I spun around and stared at his handsome face. Marcello was incredibly attractive, with an olive complexion and deep blue eyes that held so much sadness. The Salvatore brothers had the same dead look in their eyes. Years of pain and torture had forged them into weapons.

A bespoke Italian suit clung to his muscular body like armor. He looked expensive but dangerous, a man who made your brain scream run while your body wanted to say hello.

“Make it quick.” Marcello opened the door and moved me inside. “We have little time to get to the airport.”

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