Page 30 of Beautiful Sinner

Rubies, the color of blood.

Diamonds, the sparkle of success.

I would toss it in the trash when I returned home.

As much as I wanted to lash out at Sevastian, trying to plan a great speech that would help him understand my requirements for this fake marriage, I found it impossible. Not only because he wouldn’t care about anything I said, but also because the moment I closed my eyes, I could see his face looming over mine. I could hear his voice, the husky inflections that had left me in a dizzy state all night long.

I hadn’t even admitted to Isabella that I’d already met him. The Kozlov Bratva deserved the ruthless, brutal reputation that had followed them since a few months after Vladimir had arrived from Russia. The powerful man had used his influence to collect rogue criminals, teaching them to become enforcers and within a year, the Bratva was in full force.

After that, it had only taken one more year to challenge my father’s hold on the city. That was as much as I’d been able to understand.

Other than finding Sevastian’s picture.

Now our two families would be connected. As soon as that was discovered, I doubted any of the other smaller organized crime families would ever attempt a coup. My father had no idea how much I really knew. I’d kept my family’s secrets in exchange for a life of my own. Now nothing meant anything any longer.

Isabella had bawled the hardest when she’d found the letter from Juilliard ripped up in the trash. She’d even lied and told me that she’d beg our father to change places, but I knew she wouldn’t. Who would agree to an ancient uncivilized practice unless under duress?

“We’re only three minutes out, Ms. Vincheti.”

“Thank you, Mario.” I fisted my hands as I stared out at the lights of the city street sliding past the back windows. I hadn’t bothered to ask where I was being taken. As with every other decision I was about to face, it didn’t matter.

As Mario pulled into a parking lot, I was surprised to see if was mostly empty. I could tell even he was concerned that he’d gotten the location wrong, checking his phone after parking.

I leaned forward, unable to see anything given the brick wall adjacent to the parking lot.

“This is supposed to be it, Ms. Vincheti.” He unfastened his seatbelt, twisting so he could look me in the eyes.

The area of town was mostly upscale, smaller bistros and clubs popping up over the last year. Not that I’d been allowed to enjoy a night out on the town unless it was with family.

“You know you don’t need to be so formal, Mario.”

“Anything you say, Ms. Vincheti.” He grinned then opened his door, doing his usual scan of the area to make certain we hadn’t been followed. He was a beast of a man, standing well over six and half feet tall. I was certain my father had asked him to escort me based on his size alone.

He popped open my door, helping me out onto the pavement yet continuing to scan the area. The reality of the world I’d been born in hit me harder than usual tonight. Just the sight of Mario’s weapon shoved into the front of his pants for easy access was enough to feel resigned to the evening.

The rest had yet to be determined.

It was the kind of night for lovers, the bright moon and twinkling stars a harsh reminder of events I would never share. I took a deep breath, savoring the various scents of grilled food. I’d imagined being normal, enjoying a night out with friends, but that wasn’t my life. Pain thwarted every step, but it wasn’t any physical anguish that weighed heavily on my mind. It was the advance knowledge of the deal made with the devil. I’d drifted into a nasty mood, unable to relinquish the events of the night before, purging my system of the incredible desire that had kept me awake.

And I would forever hate myself because of it.

Mario remained close behind me as we walked around the side of the building. As soon as he reached the entrance, two men walked out the door, one holding his palm up to stop Mario from going any further. I sensed the larger man tensing.

“It’s alright, Mario. I can take it from here.”

“I don’t like this, Ms. Vincheti.”

“Neither do I but do as my father said. Just drop me off.”

He continued to hesitate until one of the brutes in front of me acted as if he was reaching for his weapon.

This time I lifted my hand, placing it on the stranger’s chest. “Don’t. I don’t think that’s what Sevastian would want. Do you?”

One brute looked at the other, confused I’d even had the nerve to talk to them.

“Go ahead and leave, Mario. I’ll be just fine.” I twisted my head, offering a smile. It was the last one of the evening.

He nodded then backed away, snarling for effect. I did so love the teddy bear of a man. When I faced the two soldiers, I wondered how many of Sevastian’s men spoke English. One of them opened the door for me, half pushing me inside. Were the big boys fearful I’d lose my nerve? When my eyes became accustomed to the low lighting inside, I was taken aback that there was no one else inside the room.

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