“It’s so lovely to see you,” Jackie cooed.
I arched a brow as she stopped before me and settled a well-manicured hand on my shoulder.Her red nails were a stark contrast against the black of my suit. The Price Family waswell known to the criminal underground, and unlike her sister, Jacquelina’s name was also well known.
Rumors circulated her as well as various words of association; snake, cunning,whore. Whispers said she loved this life, the power plays, the games, using anyone to get what she wanted. She wouldn’t have been a sacrificial lamb being married to a man like me, not like Angel. Untouched. Sheltered. But no matter how much Jackie thrived on what she got to do as part of the family, her games wouldn’t work on me.
“Jacquelina,” I greeted coldly, shifting my attention.
She flashed me a sultry smile, sidling up next to me as she lowered her arm and wrapped her hand around my bicep. It wasn’t a gentle grasp; there was a hint of steel behind her slim fingers as they held tight to my sleeve. As soon as she latched on, she leaned even closer, rubbing her chest against my shoulder and biting her lower lip. Eyes so brown they were nearly black stared up at me, reflecting my own expression of antipathy. Frowning, I slipped out of her grasp and turned away.
“May I walk with you?” Even though she was no longer holding tight to my arm, Jackie kept pace with me as I strode down the hall toward the front of the mansion. I didn’t say anything as I entered the foyer and moved for the front steps and out onto the drive. “Are you going somewhere?” she asked. “Perhaps, if you wanted, I could?—”
“No.” I stopped and she did as well.
Jackie blinked up at me. “But you don't even know what I was going to say,” she challenged, crossing her arms and shoving her cleavage up as I took a few steps away to eye her.
Do people really play these fucking games with her?I wondered with annoyance.
“Yes, I do.” I stopped, turning to glare at her. “I have no interest in spending time with you. I'm engaged to your sister.”Anger flashed across her expression for just a second before smoothing into a blank mask.
“Hmm.” She hummed thoughtfully. “Commanding, aren’t you? I like that in my men.”
Her arms dropped, her hands propped onto the hips of her tailored slacks. The silken blouse she wore gaped open slightly as she leaned forward, no doubt purposefully. I glowered at her and she eyed me as if I was a glittering prize for her to snatch up. If she genuinely thought that, she’d be wrong. I could squash her beneath my boot without a second thought.
“Too bad for you,” I replied testily. “I am not one of your men, Miss Price.”
It’d be quick. Just a snap of the neck and she wouldn’t be able to annoy me again. Then again, she was Raff’s daughter and the sister of my betrothed. So, regardless of her irritating and licentious manner, I clenched my fists and remained still.
“You know, you might be engaged toEvangeline.” She sneered her sister’s name, practically cursing it. “But you should know, she’s nothing like the type of woman that can handle you.”
“And just what would you know about that?” I snapped.
With a grin, Jackie sauntered forward to close the distance between us. “A man of your experience,” she began, “needs a woman who can give you pleasure. Evangeline is hardly a woman at all. She's a virgin, and if you're as good as I’ve heard you are, then you know very well a girl like her wouldn’t make a very good wife to a boss. This business is cutthroat. You need strong alliances. And mysister?” She scoffed, waving a hand. “She's going to get eaten alive.”
One thing was clear from Jackie’s words—she saw the Price Family as something that didn’t belong in her sister’s hands. Jealousy, pure and simple, swam in her dark eyes. Hunger. Greed. Everything that I could understand. Jacquelina Pricedesired power of her own and she was bone-deep pissed that her sister had been chosen instead of her.
There was a bloodthirstiness in her. This attempt at seduction reeked of desperation. She was, no doubt, as likely to stick a knife in my back as she would an enemy and I quickly realized just how different the two sisters truly were. I’d seen it before, both during the funeral all those years ago and in Raff’s office, but this? This was up close and personal. It was for all the stakes.
“I have no intention of choosing a different wife,” I spoke the words slowly, letting each one land as she stared back at me. The rejection was clear and her lips twisted when my meaning hit. I leaned down closer, my hand snapping out when she tried to take a step back. I gripped her wrist, tightening until her lips parted on a hiss.
“I won’t let anything happen to her.” The words were as much a warning as they were a declaration. “If anyone tries to harm her—to try and take my pawn from me…” I twisted and jerked her arm, spinning until Jackie’s back was to my chest. She yelped as I pulled upward, straining the muscles of her arms as I pressed her thumb to her spine. “They will regret it.” Her chest pumped up and down as she breathed harshly. “Are we clear?”
A moment passed and then another. Jackie tipped her head back and looked at me. Surprisingly, there wasn’t fear in her gaze but more interest. “I would never think of hurting my sister, Mr. Belmonte.”
Lie. “Answer me,” I commanded.
After another moment, and with a deep breath, she nodded. “Of course, Mr. Belmonte, all clear,” she said, stepping back.
I released her abruptly and took my own step back, straightening my suitcoat with a scowl. Her perfume was tingling in my nostrils, too sweet to be attractive. “Good.” Iturned, not giving her time to respond as I walked away, leaving her standing in front of the Price Mansion. Alone.
The breeze was warm as it whipped around me. Neither Raff nor I had spoken yet, willing to peruse the streets for a while. My gaze was focused on Angel as she scanned the different stalls with a curious gaze and soft frown. As she walked, her hips swayed back and forth. Her round ass was molded by a skirt that swished around her thighs—thighs that I very much wanted to get between even then. Unlike her sister, I found her movements to be naturally enticing. Jacquelina tried hard to be the seductress, but Angel was tempting without the effort. Her brows were knitted together in thought, almost as if she were contemplating each item for sale, but her attention continued to dart back to me.
Good,I smirked,I should be what’s on her mind.
“So,” Raff started, cutting off my train of thought, “you seem to be quite content with your choice.” He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye.
“Not sure what gave you that impression,” I stated, knowing full well that I wasn’t hiding my staring.
He burst out laughing, his left hand pressed into his stomach as if that could contain the loud chortling. “Yeah, you're about as obvious as a brightly painted wall in a funeral home,” he challenged. “I am quite glad to see that she will have someone to protect her.” His words were so quiet that no one but me could hear him.
