Page 62 of Twisted Embrace

“It’s now personal,” I reminded him. “You forget that up until recently, Igor Petrov was considered a true Russian patriot as an advisor, a man Boris could count on. Obtaining Joy is high on their priority list, especially since he could sell her off to the highest bidder and grow his organization. Besides, the Volkovs will appreciate their assistance.”

“Then we use her as bait first.” Mattia’s suggestion was exactly what I would have suggested only a week before. However, the man was challenging me, goading me because we were always at odds. I bristled, prepared to launch into him.

D’Artagnan sighed. “Unfortunately, it may come down to that.”

“Only if I agree. Until then, we secure the perimeter of the house and see what happens.” My recommendation was received with doubtful gazes from both men. It would all depend on timing. We either used the marriage outright or pretend she wasn’t of much importance to us. Option two wasn’t acceptable but would need to remain on the table.

“I refuse to allow us to become sitting ducks,” Mattia snarled.

“That’s not the point. In drawing out their hand, we’ll better understand what we’re dealing with. It’s entirely possible that there’s another entity involved.”

“He’s right, Mattia. Prudence is the key. We give it forty-eight hours then we reconvene and see where we need to go,” Dar said quietly.

D’Artagnan glared at Mattia. We would always be at odds, but the three of us knew that together we were stronger.

“Fine,” Mattia agreed. “But hear me that they will attack again.”

“Then we determine if we go to the Five Families for help.”

While D’Artagnan’s suggestion wasn’t unusual, it was my belief it wasn’t in our best interest.

Mattia waved him off, heading toward the bar for another refill. “By the way, so both of you are aware, the situation with building the bridge into Sicily is back on the front burner. I heard an ugly rumor that there are several foreign investors.” Tipping his head, he grinned as if he’d had the best kept secret in town.

I snorted. The corporation who’d proposed the expansion needed our permission as well as Sicily’s Don to secure funding as well as approval for what would be the longest expansion bridge in the world. It would add jobs, tourism, and money to the coffers of our respective territory, but there wasn’t a member of the Five Families who believed it was in the best interest of anyone.

“They will have a long fight ahead of them,” D’Artagnan said.

“Yes, which could allow another opportunity for the Volkovs to garner worm holes into the country as well.” I laughed bitterly. “The timing is interesting. Every foreign investor needs to be identified.”

D’Artagnan smirked. “You’re right. Foreign investors. I’d be curious if any one of them speak Russian.”

“This is their way of getting two things they want, including full control of the Italian provinces. Perhaps they aren’t such Neanderthals after all but shrewd businessmen.” If that was the case, they were planning on a full invasion. That wasn’t going to happen.

“That’s why I mentioned it. If that’s the case, we prepare ourselves for an all-out war,” Mattia suggested.

“Agreed. Now, if you’ll excuse me, gentlemen, I have other issues to attend to.” D’Artagnan finished his drink then headed for the door. I studied his body language, realizing he was running on empty at this point.

After he’d left, Mattia walked closer. He took his time, a smug look on his face. “You can’t keep her. She doesn’t belong to you. If we need to use her to keep our empire intact, then that’s what we will do.”

“Fuck you, Mattia. Joy belongs to me. She’s my property to do with what I want. Not you. Never you.”

Perhaps later I’d be surprised at my reaction, but I didn’t question it at that moment, wrapping my hand around his throat and shoving the man against the wall. We were the same height, the same weight, yet Mattia had never experienced a session with the monster inside of me. I didn’t hesitate to dig my fingers into his skin. With a quick snap of my wrist, I could break his neck. If he were anyone else, he’d already be dead.

I’d managed to shock the man, his drink slipping from his hand. As it shattered on the floor, he immediately issued a hard punch, catching me under the jaw, the force pummeling me backward. I launched myself toward him, pitching us both into the bookshelf. The piece of furniture jarred, items were tossed to the floor, another sound of breaking glass floating in the air.

I threw several savage jabs, my fist connecting with his kidneys. He refused to back down, slamming both hands against my chest, knocking the wind out of me. When I dropped to the floor, he launched himself over me, rearing back prepared to issue another punch to my face. I caught his fist in my palm, shoving his arm back by several inches.

“I’m going to say this once, Mattia. You won’t get a second warning. If you dare attempt to use Joy for any reason, you’ll need to go through me.”

“She should mean nothing to you. She’s just a possession to be used and traded.” He laughed, hissing as I rolled him over, managing to deliver three brutal jabs. Blood spurted from his nose, but I didn’t care.

We pitched and rolled, both getting off several punches.

“Stop it. Both of you!”

The sound of Joy’s harsh tone jetted through me. As if by instinct, I lifted my head, catching her motionless body as she stood by Lucia.

The fire of desire seared my skin as it erupted deep inside, the hunger so intense I was thrown into a moment of silence.

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