Page 146 of Sins of the Orchid
“I’ll drop you off. I have some business to deal with.” He was using his impassive voice on me, his expression cold and dark.
“Why?” I questioned him. It irked me that he kept me in the dark.
“Just some work stuff,” he answered, his eyes on his phone, typing something out.
“I’m not out yet, Santi,” I told him bitterly. “You could wait until I’m married to push me out.” Santi’s cold expression met mine, and I knew I’d pissed him off. Lately, everything I did pissed him off. “Amore and I will expedite our wedding. I’m quite looking forward to my wedding night.”
His jaw ticked and his teeth clenched.Bingo!
“This is private business,” he said in a frigid voice. “And there will be no expedition of the wedding.”
We strode through the Bennetti’s place in silence, both of us in our own thoughts. If my brother refused to talk, then I’d draw it out of him.
We got into Santi’s car and drove in silence.
“I was thinking,” I started once we were almost in the city. “Once Amore and I are married, and her inheritance is settled, I want back in.”
We both knew what ‘back in’ meant.
“Not smart.” That was it. No explanation, nothing. My brother didn’t even spare me a glance.
“Why not?” I argued. “She is running a billion-dollar business, and what am I supposed to do? Stay home and cook?”
He raised his eyebrow but remained silent, his jaw tightened.
“Santi, Cosa Nostra is all I know, and what I thought I’d do for the rest of my life,” I muttered.
“There are other jobs,” he gritted out. He was teetering on the edge, exactly where I wanted him.
The car came to a stop in front of my place. “You are right,” I appeased him. “I will fuck her often and keep her pregnant.”
That did it. Santi got in my face, his fist grabbing my collar and shoving me against the passenger window. As my body slammed against the door of his Range Rover, the car shook.
“Goddamnit, Santi.” I lost my shit. Maybe Amore and Santi deserved each other; they were both stubborn as mules. “Let me help you.”
CHAPTER55
Amore
Ihaven’t heard from Adriano for the past two days. Not since the news of our marriage contract was dumped on me and he said he’d call me. That he’d take care of everything. Nothing. Not a single damn text.
Until now. Fucking seven at night and he wanted to see me.
*Meet me at our Long Island place. Urgent.*
Damn it, what could be so urgent! I didn’t want to go there. But what to say? I slept with your brother there, so things were awkward.
“Are you sure you are okay?” Uncle Vincent asked for the tenth time.
“Yes,” I repeated, becausenowould require a whole lot of explaining. I literally just got home from work when Adriano’s message came in. Uncle Vincent was on his way out the door and offered to drive me. “I should have driven myself over.” It didn’t even occur to me that the last time I was here Adriano disappeared, and I ended up sleeping with Santi.
“Text me, and I’ll come get you.”
“I should have brought DeAngelo,” I muttered.
“Are the Russo boys threatening you?” Vincent’s voice turned sharp.
“No, no,” I quickly replied. “Just he would have stayed, you know. And you are busy.” Lame excuses. “Anyhow, see you later.”
