Page 53 of Breaking Lucia

Even though I know he’s playing me, I still snap, “‘Well done’ for what?”

“For not getting killed.”

I stare back at him. “What the fuck, Victor? Was that some kind of set-up? Because I damn neardidget killed!”

He leans back in the chair and inclines his head a bit. “It was unlikely. Angelo was angry, but he’s grown fond of you already. He told you about his garden, didn’t he?”

“That doesn’t mean he wasn’t going to stab the shit out of me,” I snap back, my own anger rising as I sit up straight. “I would’ve kept quiet about that being Al Ricci if I’d realized everyone would freak out on me for just recognizing him!”

“Thank you for telling us. It’s invaluable information.” It’s only for a second, but I see the corners of his mouth twitch. “Angelo’s got an explosive temper, but he’s easy to control. I’m sure you’ll figure it out. You’ve already got Saint enamored with you.”

“Easy to control?” I laugh, touching my throat. “Oh yeah. Really easy.” I shake my head. “Who was Angelo’s brother, and why did my father have him killed?” Not that he would’ve needed much motivation. Daddy always has been quick to pull the trigger—well, to have the trigger pulled on someone else. He rarely does his own killing.

“Do you know how your father came to power here seven years ago?” Victor asks.

I’m confused by the change in subject, but I shrug. “He said there was a power vacuum here. Then a few months later, you were a thorn in his side.”

“A power vacuum he created,” Victor corrects. “Nico Guerra. That’s who Angelo’s brother was. Don of the Rosa di Sangue.”

Several things suddenly click into place, things I’ve heard, things I’ve seen… It all makes a great deal more sense now. “I know a little about the Rosa di Sangue,” I say slowly. “And I’ve heard the name Guerra, but notNico.”

“Hmm. I suppose Nico was irrelevant after your father had him murdered.” Victor gives me a cold smile. “I think his blood and flesh ended up on Angelo. Santino and I had to calm him down. Clean him up. He’s been a bit… unstable since.”

Unstableis one way to describe Angelo, but if I’d been there when my sibling had been killed, I probably wouldn’t be too stable myself. My sister and I might have our problems, but if she died… Leaving her behind had been hard enough.

I tense when Victor puts his book aside and gets up. I’m too sore to deal with Victor getting handsy with me.

He sits down at the edge of the bed and pats the spot next to him. “Come here.”

I eye him, hesitating, but I finally move to take a seat near him, trying to shift my body so I’m not fully displaying my nudity. “What?”

“Your father doesn’t seem to want you back.” Victor keeps his hands to himself, which makes me more nervous than if he were touching me. “There’s been no word from him. But it made me think, maybe I should negotiate with Pavone directly. Your father is peanuts compared to him.”

The shock of his words makes all the color drain from my cheeks. I quickly shake my head. “No. No, you can’t do that. I’ll give you more information.”

“What more information could you possibly have?” he asks, so fucking calmly, like it isn’t my life on the line here.

“What more information do you need?” I counter, but I’m drowning in the anxiety of it all. What if Victor does go straight to Pavone? What if Pavone agrees to do what they want? Then I’m well and truly fucked. “I don’t know everything you know, obviously.”

I flinch when he touches my neck, tapping on the bruises Angelo left behind.

“I suppose you’ll have to just keep telling us things.” His hand trails over my shoulder and down my chest, lingering on the scab on my breast. The memory of having the knife on me makes me shiver. “Lucia, what’s a very good reason not to send you to Pavone, all gift-wrapped for him?”

My heart drops into my stomach, and for a moment, I’m sure I’m going to vomit. He’s seen the videos with Elena; isn’t that enough to make him hesitate? Does he really want to send me to that?

Probably not, but then, he probably doesn’t care either way.

Men like Victor are all the same, which is why I slide my hand carefully onto his thigh. “Because you want my father’s attention, not Pavone’s…” I look up at Victor. “Because you haven’t gotten what you want from me yet.”

He rubs my nipple with his thumb, making it pebble. “And what is it I want from you?”

I force myself not to look away from him. “You want me to beg for you.”

Victor snorts quietly, but that’s as much of a reaction I get out of him. I wish he would just show some emotion, the way Saint and Angelo do. But I’m on the right track: his cock is hardening in his pants. It’s nice how easy men are when it comes to sex.

I bend my neck when he leans closer, kissing my collar, and the nape of my neck. His lips are right next to my ear when he says, “Wrong.”

I startle, but he grabs my arms to keep me in place.

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