Page 11 of Reaper Flame

“But you’ve only just arrived,” Bryce said, then gestured to Giles. “Don’t you want to celebrate with your new husband?”

“Celebrate?” I snorted. “I’ve already spent enough time with the Briarlys to last a fucking lifetime.”

“Kitten was taken by surprise today,” Hiram cut in to smooth over the situation. “Give her time.”

I shouldered past them to get to the exit.

“Don’t wander too far,” Hiram called after me.

As if I could.There was no way to escape when the entire block was crawling with his best guards. Plus, it was pretty hard to be inconspicuous when you resembled a tiered cake.

I continued onwards, pushing against the flow of people rushing into the venue and meeting their good wishes with a scowl. I’d gotten married as Hiram asked. I had zero intention of being the life and soul of the fucking party, too.

“Kitten!” A tall, dark, handsome man blocked my path. He was in his mid-thirties and wore a black suit with a crisp white shirt that looked expensive, despite him undoing the top two buttons to look casual. He outstretched his arms in greeting, taking up the narrow corridor leading outside and giving me no choice but to stop. “I’m glad we get to meet at last.”

I’d never met him before, but he didn’t need to introduce himself. The resemblance to his father was apparent. His father who I killed.

“Juliano Romano, but you can me Jules,” the man said. He grinned to reveal sparkling white teeth and held out his hand for me to shake like we were attending a business meeting. “It’s a pleasure.”

My immediate reaction was to knee him in the balls. Running into a member of the Romano family was a moment I’d been running from for years. Before learning from Hiram and the Blackbird that Giovanni Romano’s son was already plotting his demise, I’d done everything to keep my involvement in his death a secret, from playing mind games with Cheeks to asking Rocky to steal photographs from Briarly manor.

I shook his hand, but Jules tightened his grip around my palm. He yanked me forward and pulled me into a hug. His cologne smelled spicy and expensive, the kind that would linger on your clothes long after he’d gone.

“Thanks for saving me a job,” he whispered, sending a chill down my spine as he patted my back. By killing his father, I allowed him to take over the family business without getting his hands dirty. “Tell me, did he suffer?”

I pulled away and hesitated as Jules watched me intently. I mean, how did you go about explaining to someone how you murdered their father?

“He got what he deserved,” I said finally.

Giovanni Romano had a whole career under his belt that was built upon, amongst other nefarious deeds, the exploitation of women. It was only fitting that he got taken down by someone who he viewed as an inferior species.

“I hope you enjoyed yourself,” Jules said. Most women’s panties would melt at a flash of his gorgeous smile, but it hid a darker side, and my inner voice was screaming to get away. “My father was a lucky man for yours to be the last face he ever saw. Let’s hope your husband will take good care of you. I’m sure there will be other men happy to take you off his hands.”

Romano Junior must have developed the same sadistic appetites as his daddy. His father was a twisted motherfucker, but Juliano? With his looks and charm, he had the potential to be even worse.

“Have you met my husband yet?” I asked, ignoring his comments. He and Giles were both misogynistic assholes, so they’d have plenty to bond over. “I’m sure he’d love to make your acquaintance.”

“Enjoy your evening, Kitten.” Jules winked. “The drinks are on me tonight. I owe you.”

What good did taking out the bad guys achieve? There would always be someone new to take their place.

* * *

A guard nodded his head in my direction as I stepped into the cool breeze outside the club. “Congratulations.”

Hiram’s security team was stationed at every potential escape route. For once, I didn’t care that they were watching me. Anything was better than being surrounded by pounding bass, half-naked women and people I hoped never to see again.

“Where are you going?” another guard asked as I headed for the parking lot.

“I’m taking a fucking walk!” I snarled. “Do you have a problem with that, or do you want me to tell Hiram you’re trying to ruin my big day?”

He pressed his lips together, not pushing me any further.

After walking around the parking lot and checking out the rows of sports cars, I started a lap of the building. Scoping out a location was always a habit of mine. As I neared a corner, a low, hushed voice talked quickly around the other side. Whoever was hiding out back didn’t want to be overheard.

“... he’s losing his touch,” the Blackbird murmured. “Lettinghercome back here. Arranging a fucking wedding. It shows how weak he is!”

I pushed myself flat against the wall and tried to flatten my skirts down, holding in a breath. I hadn’t gained my nickname ‘Kitten’ by standing out. Slinking around unnoticed until the perfect moment to pounce was my greatest talent, but doing it in a wedding dress was harder.

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