Page 65 of Vengeful Vows

Bella lifts her glass. “It already is.”

Those are the first words she’s said to me in days. Derision drips from her voice, so different from the way she used to talk to me.

Finally we are alone, but she makes no conversation, and helplessly I’m stymied for words.

After my scotch arrives, I lean forward. “You’ll be meeting the don and his wife, Raffaele and Gina Moretti, my aunt and uncle.”

She regards me over the rim of her glass.

“Matteo, you’ve met. His younger brothers will be there, Dante and Dario.”

“Are they all mobsters?”

My nostrils flare as the insult lands.

Forcibly I quench my anger. “They are all involved in the family business, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Family business?”she repeats, shaking her head.

“You seem to have no problem spending our money.” With my palm, I indicate the luxurious surroundings.

She notches her chin up. “Well, since I had nowhere to live?—”

“You have more than enough room at my penthouse.” Which she’ll be moving back into soon.

“And no clothes or toiletries?—”

“All of which are in your bedroom and bathroom.”

She finishes her drink, and I wave off the server who asks if she wants a refill. I want her sober.

“You will also be meeting my mentor, Roberto Barone. He’s my uncle’s adviser.”

“Don’t they call it a consigliere?”

I tip my head to the side. My little flower has been doing some research. Or watching too many Hollywood movies. “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, Bella.”

“Mmm.”

“Please repeat what I told you.”

Unerringly she does. As I guessed, she is going to be a valuable asset to me going forward. If I can ever melt the ice around her heart.

“Shall we?” I ask a few minutes later, once I’ve signed for the drinks.

When I stand and offer my hand, she refuses to take it.

And I’ve had enough.

My jaw tight, I clamp my hand around her wrist and all but drag her across the lobby and force her into a private alcove.

Sergio instantly moves into position, providing me with privacy.

“What are you doing?” she demands, eyes wide, breasts heaving.

“Enforcing the rules like I should have done days ago.” I lean toward her, my hands pressed against the marble wall behind her, imprisoning her.

“You can’t act this way in public.”

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