“Absolutely.”
Her lips pull to the side in a near frown. “I’m used to being alone, and I will be again after this is over, so there’s no point in getting comfortable.”
“I can’t say what the future holds, but what I do know is that you can create the one you want by starting today. And it’d be best if you’d listen to me and avoid putting yourself in danger.”
She huffs daintily and I grin in the darkness. “Danger?” she repeats. “I’m in bed with it right now. Better the devil you know, than the one you don’t, I suppose.”
“How cynical of you. I’m quite wounded by that, you know.”
“Please, it’s not like you have feelings.” There’s a hint of a smile in her voice. “And even if you did, I doubt anything I say could do any damage.”
“Only the people that matter have the power to hurt you.”
That’s a core belief I’ve held onto ever since my mother disappeared and the entire underworld came after my family. Everyone we knew turned on us, including our extended family, and all because Caruso accused my mother of being a rat, a person who went to the feds. It’s why I hate him and the reason I’m eager to work with my brothers and implement the next step in our plan for revenge.
Carina arriving at my door has only made everything that much better. Not only because she has vital information on him, but due to the fact that I get to have a beautiful woman in my bed for a while.
Instead of a fuck buddy, I’ll have a fuck fiancée.
Rafael
Ishouldn’t have slept as well as I did with a near stranger in my bed. Especially not one who confessed to murdering someone a few hours prior. But I did and I’d do it again.
Having Carina here brought me a small measure of peace.
Fuck knows why, but I can’t deny it.
She’s different. That’s the only conclusion I can arrive at.
The screen on my cell phone illuminates, drawing my attention. I turn my head and reach for the device, curious as to what notifications I’m going to find. I enter my password and the Home Screen appears.
There are three missed calls and one text message, all from my eldest brother Tristano.
To anyone who didn’t know him and his uptight self, they’d assume this number of attempts to contact me was normal and a possible indication that he needed to speak to me with a bit of urgency. However, no one knows him like my younger brother Maximus and me.
One missed call from Tristano is acceptable, but he always expects an immediate response.
Two calls is an escalation in the need to return his call; A severe warning would be accurate.
But three missed calls? And me not calling him back? I’m surprised he hasn’t come to my place and pointed a gun at my head.
I bet he’s so pissed.
Tristano’s the leader of the Silvestri family and he takes that position seriously. His militant demeanor allows him to fill that role with ease and his strategic mind is brilliant. Order and obedience are what he expects. Prompt and without question.
Needless to say, I’ve been thwarting his authority my entire life. Not out of disrespect, but because I find it hilarious to watch his strict veneer crack, revealing the beast inside that he keeps hidden from the world.
I poke it every so often to ensure it’s still alive, so he’ll bring it out to play when we finally take Caruso’s life. Because Tristano enraged? Yeah, that shit is intimidating, even for me and I’m someone he wouldn’t hurt.
The text from Tristano is simple: Call me. Now.
Yup, he’s fucking pissed.
I grin and dial his number, not surprised when he picks up after the first ring.
“Rafael?”
“Tristano,” I say with an enthusiasm I know will have him grinding his teeth. “What a beautiful morning. Did you sleep well?”
