Page 78 of Beautiful Sinner

Men who’d been shoved into a corner either cowered or fought blindly. I would let him ignore his initial outburst for now.

Unless he pissed me off.

At nine hours behind Maldives time, it was barely five in the morning in New York, and he was already agitated. What the hell had he gotten himself into?

“As my brother and father have already told you, Giada is doing just fine. I brought her to my private island in order to keep her safe. We’ve also been able to spend some quality time getting to know each other. That is what you wanted to happen when you sold your daughter at the age of thirteen. Yes?”

“You know exactly why I had to do what I did. Your father gave me no choice.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Yeah, well, you did a piss poor job of keeping her safe in New York. It’s obvious you aren’t your father.”

“And the world is grateful for that, Cesare.” He was already tipping the meter, grating on my nerves. “You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that attack you seem so concerned about. Now, would you?”

“Why the hell would I know? You and your entire family are thugs and nothing more. Perhaps one of the men you swindled finally had enough.”

Even with the bad blood between us, he was pushing boundaries that could get him killed. I refused to stand for anyone talking to me this way. He was also highlighting just how desperate he’d become. I took a deep breath. One lesson my father had taught me I’d tried to use was taking a deep breath before responding to bullshit like this in order to abstain from making a petulant decision.

I found it useful for adding to the level of anxiety. I could only imagine how much Cesare was sweating right about now. The man had lost more than several of his men as well as his daughter.

He’d lost some aspects of his dignity.

I felt the noose around his neck tighten.

“Let me try and explain something to you, Cesare. I was made well aware of the fact that someone has been breathing down your neck before I made this call. Your arrogance just confirmed it. I also have suspicions you’re under duress because you went into business with an individual determined to destroy my family’s regime. You planned on attempting to regain the upper hand. Don’t bother lying. I know it’s true. You are one fat fool, Cesare.”

“That’s insane!”

“Is it? I don’t think so. I think that’s why the restaurant was firebombed. I did find it interesting that only some of the would-be assassins were using real bullets. What did you do, promise your daughter to another scumbag in order to save your fucking worthless life?” I’d lost my cool already, my voice raising by several decibels. I wanted nothing more than to nudge Kostya, giving him the go-ahead to take out the fucking piece of shit. Goddamn it, the man made me angry.

I closed and rubbed my eyes.

“You… You disgusting piece of trash,” he growled, his usually strong voice finally returning. “Why in God’s name do you think I’d risk my daughter’s life? I already had to give her to a lowlife like you.”

“Insults aren’t going to help the situation. Should I remind you why my father offered you a deal made in blood? What were your plans after taking my sister all those years ago? I could only imagine what you would have done to a Bratva princess. Keep that in mind when you act as if you care about Giada’s wellbeing. I know better.”

“That’s… bullshit.”

I heard the glitch in his voice, another indication my gut instinct had been right.

“I’m going to make this very easy for you, Cesare. If I find out that you are responsible for the attack and subsequent troubles seen by my family, there is no contract on the face of this earth that will keep me from hunting you down.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Perhaps you’re right. Just remember that you entrusted your daughter’s life in my hands. I suggest you keep that in the back of your mind.” I ended the call, taking another deep breath. It didn’t do me a damn bit of good.

I reacted instantly from the single noise heard behind me, turning around quickly, my hand on my weapon.

The sight of Giada standing in the doorway, her mouth twisted in anger only pushed my rage closer to the surface. A sudden text drew my attention away, if only for a few seconds. The shipment had arrived safely.

For some reason, I would have preferred being ambushed.

By the time I returned my gaze to the doorway, she’d advanced, now standing a few inches away from my desk. Her face remained impassive, but her eyes held heightened venom.

“You threatened my father.” She said the words blandly, her lack of emotion just as troubling as if she’d thrown a temper tantrum.

“I did what I needed to do, Giada.”