Page 10 of Till Death Do Us Part

“You are ours now.”

I snap my head up to meet his gaze. While his words are innocent, they sound sinful coming from his mouth. Paired with the way his chocolate brown eyes seem to devour every inch of me and his lips quirk up into a slow smile, this man is a walking temptation.

One I need to be careful to stay away from if I plan to survive.

“That means our enemiesareyour enemies.”

“Perhaps.” I shrug, turning to face the other men before he can reply. They stay silent, watching each other closely.

My feet move before I can think better of it, taking me to my father’s side. He eyes me cautiously, though his hand reaches out and taps at my palm before he traces a circle into the skin. A silent promise that we’re okay.

“I assume you didn’t fly all the way to England to offer your congratulations on these nuptials, Alexei,” Antonio comments, his face never leaving Alexei’s as he steps forwards. The other man remains calm, the same smirk still on his face. Though he turns his gaze to watch me, sending me a wink before he answers.

“I want your bride.” Alexei says the words so casually you’d think he was talking about the weather, not exchanging a woman. While hushed whispers fly through the room, I keep my face blank. Another thing my father taught me, never wear your emotions in the face of an opponent. “Not to marry, I should add.”

He turns, his eyes glittering in humour as he addresses me. “While you are very lovely, Pippa. You are not my type, no offence.”

“None taken, you’re not mine either.” Before today I would have said I didn’t have a type, but now I’m not sure that’s the truth. Though that’s not something I can admit to out loud. The men look at me, their expressions ranging from blank, to amused, to exasperated. The latter being my father, of course. “Though, I’m intrigued as to what you would want me for if not to marry. What would be the point in stealing a new wife from the Mafia, if not to claim me for yourself?”

“There are many reasons one might want to claim you.” His words send a shiver down my spine. On the surface, they seem harmless, a mere observation, but there is something bitter about the way he speaks them. My father seems to notice too as he grabs my hand, squeezing gently to offer my comfort.

Alexei chuckles, raising his weapon-free hands in a show of innocence, though it does little to ease the suffocating tension in the air.

“Leonardo,” Antonio says, turning to face his best man. The way he spins is slow—measured and tactical. Turning your back on your enemy shows them you don’t fear them, that you believe them to be weak. “Take Pippa back to the hotel.”

“Of course,” Leonardo mutters, his hand clasping my wrist and pulling me away from my father. The hairs on my arms stand, goosebumps raising on my skin as a shiver passes through me at his touch. His grip is firm, hauling me backwards. Papá glances at us both, his eyes lingering on my face for a long moment before he lets go of my hand with a final squeeze. “Let’s go, Princess.”

Alexei sends me a wave, a wide smile on his face as Leonardo leads me away from the room. I catch the gazes of my sisters huddled together in the corner. Winking, I blow them a kiss, noting the way their bodies relax at the sight of me: okay and unharmed.

I’ve never really considered the ramifications of being married to Antonio before now. I knew the life was dangerous, but I had assumed most of that would be kept away from me. However, when we reach the gardens and at least ten guns are aimed at my head, loaded and ready to be fired, I’m thinking my assumptions were wrong.

Silly of me, really.

“Hello, boys,” I murmur, a slow smile spreading across my lips as I look over the men who now hold my life in their hands. “Now this is what I call a party.”

CHAPTER THREE

Confusedexpressionsstarebackat me, though the guns stay aimed at my head while I smile at them. It’s not that I’m not scared—anybody would be with ten guns aimed directly at their skull—but to show fear would be to admit weakness, and that isn’t something I will do.

Leonardo remains unmoving at my side, his hand wrapped tightly around my wrist. His jaw is hard, his body tense as he eyes the men before us, but he rubs circles against my pulse point with his thumb. The gesture is small but calming.

“Konstantin.” The name falls from his lips easily, amusement coating his voice. It’s very different to how Antonio addressed Alexei inside; I can’t help but wonder why. Obviously these men are not friends, that is clear with the fact my life is at risk, but these two don’t seem unfriendly either.

“Leo.” The man smirks. Lowering his weapon, he steps towards me, a scowl on his face. “She is not what I expected.”

“What did you expect?” I ask, the question slipping from my lips. Leonardo’s grip on my wrist tightens, my skin aching under his punishing hold.

“Mouthy too, I see. It seems we’re going to have our hands full with this one.”

My eyes narrow, my mouth opening to say something more; though, what, I have no idea. Leonardo cuts me off, speaking in a bored tone. “Then it is fortunate that she is not yours.”

“She is not yours either, Leo.” Konstantin chuckles, cocking his head to the side. “But then, you’ve never been very good at keeping your hands away from forbidden treasures, have you?”

“Not really.”

“While this conversation is thrilling,” I interject, smiling sweetly at the men before me. “I’m bored. Either shoot me or let us walk away before I shoot you.”

“Princess,” Leonardo growls, but his warning comes too late. The gun in my hand is aimed between the man’s eyes.

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