Page 3 of Depths of Obsession
I licked my lips and plowed on. “He told me he killed him because the guy was trying to rip him off. I didn’t want anything to do with it, but Marcello said if I didn’t take care of it, he’d tell everyone I did it. He took a picture of me with blood on my clothes, which I got when I tried to check for a pulse and fell over. He said he’d tell the cops I knew about the illegal shit going on here, and that I was part of it. I am not going to jail for this asshole.” The words tumble out in a rush, my panic rising with every breath.
Luca’s lips twitch, amusement dancing in his eyes. He’s trying not to laugh at me.
“It’s not fucking funny,” I snap, but my voice cracks with frustration and fear.
Marcello, still wheezing for air, struggles to his feet, leaning heavily against the wall.
“Stay there,” Luca orders, his voice sharp. Marcello freezes, not daring to move.
Luca walks over to the dead man, crouching beside the body. His jaw clenches as he stares down at the bloodied corpse. “Do you know who this is?” he asks, his eyes flicking back to me, his gaze suddenly far more serious.
“He looks familiar, but I don’t know why.” My voice wobbles in time with the speed of my heart pounding in my chest.
Luca stands, his expression grim. He glances back at Marcello, who’s pale but trying to maintain some semblance of control.
“He’s some guy who got sent here to screw me over,” Marcello says, his voice shaky, his gaze darting around the room. “Said his name was Edoardo.”
He’s lying. Marcello knows exactly who this is. I know because he has a tell. He always clears his throat before he says the lie. My knees go weak again. This isn’t going to be good.
Luca’s face hardens. “This is Edoardo Gazzago. He’s Tommaso Gazzago’s cousin.”
“Oh, shit,” I breathe, as air rushes out of my lungs. My stomach drops, a wave of nausea washing over me. This can’t be happening. “Of all the stupid shit you could’ve done, you kill Tommy Two-Guns’ cousin? Are you out of your fucking mind?” I stare at my boss. Make that former boss. Forget the money, I need to get as far away from this as possible.
Marcello shrugs like it’s no big deal, but the color drains from his face as the gravity of the situation finally starts to sink in. “It was necessary. I needed to send a message that Tommy can’t rip me off.”
I stare at him, my mouth hanging open in disbelief. Tommy can do whatever the fuck he wants. He’s the only guy Renzo left alone. He runs his part of Milano with an iron fist, and no one messes with him.
I blurt out. “Tommy is going to kill you without blinking.”
Marcello’s bravado falters, his eyes widen with fear. “He’ll kill you too,” he spits, desperation creeping into his voice. “I’m not going down alone. You need to fix this.”
I shake my head, horror twisting my insides. Underneath Marcello’s bluster, I can see the truth—he’s scared shitless. And now, I’m in this mess too. God help me, we’re both in deep, deep trouble.
Marcello might be a dead man walking, but I’m his fucking shadow. I’m going down too.
CHAPTER 2
What a fucking mess. I stare at the body on the floor. There aren’t many options here, and the few I do have are bad. Gazzago isn’t going to let this slide, and honestly, he has every right not to. If someone killed a member of my family, I’d rip their throat out and drain them of blood without a second thought.
I glance up at Pippa. Her face is ghostly pale, her deep hazel eyes wide with fear, like she’s trapped in some nightmare she can’t wake from. Her messy bun looks somewhat worse for wear and large black tendrils of hair hang down, framing her face. She’s still gorgeous, even in this state with blood all over her clothes. Being a vampire, the blood only adds to the appeal.
What the hell was this smart, beautiful woman thinking to get involved with this asshole? That’s a question for another time, though, and certainly none of my business. None of this is my business. My level of interest in getting dragged into this shit is less than zero. I have problems enough of my own. Sometimes, it sucks being in charge of security for Renzo’s empire.Ourempire as he calls it. Not my fucking empire. Mine is altogether different.
But this is Pippa. A woman who has always been my weakness. Ever since that first dinner for Mia and Renzo. There’s something about her that sucks me in every time I see her. I’ve done my level best to keep my distance from her ever since I was warned off in no uncertain terms. But now, I don’t have a choice, I have to be here. I’ve been sent to protect her, which is good because she sends my protective nature into overdrive and now I don’t have to fight my instinct. I will do anything to keep her safe, even kill. I glance at De Carlo. I might even enjoy it.
I squat next to the body, ignoring the pull of all the spilled blood. It’s no longer warm, so not as attractive to me. Hell, my fangs don’t even prickle.
As I continue to pretend to study the body, I contact my brother.Renzo?I send my brother a telepathic call, my mind brushing his with urgency.
He replies immediately.What is it? What mess has Pippa gotten herself into?
Her boss killed Edoardo Gazzago. He’s lying here on the floor, right in the gallery.
For fuck’s sake.Renzo goes quiet, and I know he’s telling Mia, trying to figure out our next steps.
Gazzago is a pain in everyone’s ass, especially Renzo’s. My brother could’ve driven him out of Milano. I asked him to let me have at the bastard, but Renzo argued it would’ve taken time, effort, and a lot of resources. He said the man wasn’t worth it. I argued but he overruled. Now we’re in this mess. Sometimes Renzo’s ego is too big.I told you to let me get rid of him.
Telling meI told you so isn’t helpful.
