Page 78 of Twisted Embrace

“That’s bullshit. For God’s sake, we’re inside a secure restaurant. I went to the bathroom, nothing more.” She got in my face, fire and brimstone oozing from every pore.

I flexed then fisted my hand, the ache exactly what I deserved. I was certain the engaging woman would do anything in her power to keep me from acting on my anger. She refused to play by my rules, and instead of being upset with her, the swell of need overrode the irritation.

“Within my organization, there are requirements that must be followed, which is something you already knew. My men are held to a higher standard, not allowed to question my authority.” I crowded her space, driving my hands into my pockets. If the woman was so inclined to taking out her anger, then so be it. “One mistake could cost lives. Anthony understands that better than most. He’s lost far too many important people in his life.”

“He’s right, Ms. Levin,” Anthony said.

“If you want to blame someone, blame me. I forced him to allow me to walk down that corridor alone.”

“You are going to be a constant handful. Aren’t you?”

She swung her heated glare in Anthony’s direction, mouthing she was sorry. “I still don’t like your ridiculous rules. Who was the jerk anyway?”

“A reporter with a rather unseemly publication.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“You are using me as bait. I knew I was right.” She backed away, laughing. Another surprise. She was full of them. “You want our pictures on the front page of every ragtag publication. Hopefully, he got my good side if he took photographs.”

“There isn’t a side of you that’s not perfect. As far as baiting our Russian friends, what if I said you were right?”

She pointed at me then at herself in a dramatic fashion. “How many times do I need to tell you that I’m always right?” She continued backing toward the table, her smile keeping my cock pressed against my zipper.

I moved closer, taking my time, my eyes never leaving hers.

As I filled both glasses of wine, I felt more lighthearted than I should. Nothing had changed. We were still facing a war, yet being with Joy shoved aside all the darkness and worry. She stood staring out at the ocean, swaying to the sound of the music. She accepted the glass of wine without tossing it in my face.

“What did you do, buy out the entire restaurant?” she asked in a sultry tone.

“Something like that.”

“Do you always get what you want?”

I shifted to the side, enjoying the way the light breeze drifted strands of hair across her face. “Yes. It’s as simple as that.”

“That would make you omnipotent.” She took a sip of wine, her expression full of amusement.

“I’ll take that title. I kind of like it.”

“I thought you would. Perhaps King Enzo is even more to your liking?”

I lifted the glass in a false toast. “King Enzo or God. I’ll take God.”

Laughing, she pressed her hand against my chest, fiddling with one of my buttons. Sadness and resignation crossed her face. “What happens now?”

“Now, we continue waiting. The Russians will make a play sooner versus later, likely at the wedding. They’ll have a rude awakening.”

“More death.”

“It’s necessary, Joy. The Bratva and the Cosa Nostra have been warring for a long time. Inside America as well. It’s a matter of the strongest who survives, and I have no intentions of losing.”

“Someday you’ll have to explain the necessity of taking another human life.”

There was no answer that would make her feel better. None. “This isn’t unlike the wars you’ve read about over the last century. There are necessary evils in order to keep the peace.”

“What peace? So innocent people can be stripped of their livelihoods, paying taxes to you they can’t afford?”

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