Page 85 of The Mafia Enforcer's Temptation
“Launceston. They’ve moved the meeting to tonight. Only it’s not a meeting, it’s a gathering. I’m going to be introduced, with you, as the new future Pakhan.” She pauses to take another bite. “And he also gave me a heads-up that Romanov will be there.”
Romanov. I don’t know exactly what’s going on—yet. But I know I don’t trust that fucker.
At all.
TWENTY
ava
I clutchSeamus’s hand tight. I’m nervous. I don’t know why.
But the man I’m married to is cool as a cucumber on ice.
The second who’s the interim Pakhan isn’t anyone I recognize, but Dad’s second-in-command retired when my uncle stepped in. The man speaks Russian and looks straight at Seamus as he does so.
To unnerve.
“All he’s saying is you’re the man I married,” I mutter.
“It’s okay, sweet thing. I know what he’s saying, and it has nothing to do with words.” There’s a deadly note to his voice as we move farther into the private club, the floor full of men and young, scantily clad women.
It shouldn’t bother me. I don’t see any ownership tattoos on their bare flesh, and they move like they belong, looking at me like I’m an outsider. I lift my chin, trying to work out who to speak to first.
I want to be Pakhan, but in this very moment, I have no idea how to be that leader. To instantly command.
“Come on, sweet thing, let’s get a drink.” He leads me to the bar, past his brother Callahan, who’s standing quietly against thewall with a cigarette in one hand as he stares down anyone who dares to approach.
It’s not until his other brother, Declan, comes over to give him a drink that his mask shifts.
No, it’s not a mask, he’s just… observing, and the endless cool reminds me of Seamus in a way, but Seamus has more of a wild, feral streak that pulls me down into him. But I could still picture the two of them standing there, watching while the other brothers take up their roles, Torin not being seen until he chooses to, and the weapon of amiability from Declan drawing people into saying too much.
They must be a deadly force when they work against someone.
And I really thought I could take them all on?
I’m no fan of them, though, and then there’s Seamus, dressed in enemy garb no one else can see but me, and I decide I might need to be very careful indeed.
But the thought of harming his brothers doesn’t sit right with me now.
Seamus, on the other hand…
“Can you stop thinking about my demise and take your drink?”
He shoves a drink into my free hand, and I realize with horror I’m still holding his other one.
I try to pull away, but he just draws me in and feathers a kiss on my lips that has me melting. “I’m not.”
“You are.”
I glare. “Only because you’re so unlikeable.”
“And there she is, my little murderous wife. Just remember, I owe you.”
“What?”
He leans in. “Since I can’t actually kill you, I’ll extract revenge in other ways.” He kisses me once more. “See, not so nervous anymore, right?”
“I just… why are we having this gathering at this club and not at the mansion?”
