Page 31 of Dirty Behavior

We were like family.

Now hewasthe enemy, an appendage to the evil son of a bitch who stole my father from me and spoiled the woman I love.

“You were nowhere to be found!” he yelled, throwing his arms in the air. “How long did you expect me to wait? I didn't have a fucking clue where you went or even if you were coming back!”

Dragging my hand through my hair, I pulled it back tight. “Fuck, Vince!” Squeezing my temples, I let my head fall to the floor.

“I won't tell him, Dante, I won't let Remo know what you're planning. I'll do that for you, so you can get away.”

Did he really just say that?

Did he really think he had an upper hand here?

He's so fucking foolish.

Vince thought I should be the one to run again? He actually had the balls to make it out like he was doing me a favor by not telling Remo.

As he spoke, my heart began to speed up, hammering inside my chest. I wanted to fucking kill him and make sure he didn't run his mouth off to his new boss.

Just because he said he wouldn't tell, didn't mean it was the truth. My brother had devoted his life to this business and to our family.

Did that last?

No.

Vince wasn't blood, so why should I believe him?

Lunging forward, I threw my arm out, fist closed tight. I reacted, my muscles took over, my anger and rage filling them to the point of explosion.

Connecting with his jaw, he fell to one knee, coddling his face. He wouldn't look up at me, he kept his eyes steady on dead air. Cocking my arm back, I hit him again and again. Fist after fist came down, Vince blocking the hits but not fighting back.

I had my hand up high, coiled back, ready to strike another blow.

But I didn't.

I let my hand fall to my side, fingers loosening. He was pathetic and didn't deserve another ounce of my energy. “Vince, you really need to re-evaluate your life, take another look at what you're doing. I'm back, I'm here now. You're getting one chance to make things right. You know I never do this, I don't give second chances. So think about what I said.” Turning, I stormed to the door.

“What are you going to do, Dante?” Vince asked from the floor as he rubbed his chin, shock and confusion staining his already alabaster skin.

“I told you, I'm going to kill Remo.” Glaring at him from over my shoulder, I said, “Go on, tell your fucking boss, give him the chance to run. Because I'm coming for him, Vince, and I won't stop till he's dead.” Slamming the door shut, my feet pounded over the cement.

That was the last thing I expected.

Never in my life would I have thought that our guys would go work for that scumbag. But they did.

Money talked, money drove decisions, money twisted their ability to think for themselves.

Was I pissed that Remo had slithered in and nabbed our guys?

Absolutely.

But I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of thinking he won.

Let Vince run back to him and tell him what I planned to do. I didn't give a fuck.

Remo knew the day would come when I would return and seek him out. He already knew I was here, he had to.

If the papers didn't tip him off, one of our guys did after the funeral. I knew that now for sure. So Vince could tell him anything he fucking wanted to.

I had the upper hand, I held the trigger in my finger. I would come when he least expected it. I would slip in and let the cool metal of my gun press against his temple.

And I would let my hands speak what my body was feeling.

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