“What makes you say that?” I asked, already knowing the answer. It was apparent when I first laid eyes on her, but hearing it from her father was different. More personal.
“Angel is not like others in our family or those we do business with. She's soft and caring, and I know that that kind of innocence can get ripped away by the wrong people.”
“Does that include from her own sister?” I inquired. Her earlier attempt at seduction was still seared in my mind, my anger still simmering from her games. Raff sighed softly, rubbing a hand on his jaw.
“Jacquelina is … well-versed in what this family is and what we do. She’s always been ambitious and she doesn’t quite understand why Evangeline tries to distance herself. Though to be fair, I believe I may have made the mistake of letting my youngest live as sheltered as she has in her own bubble. Not only from the brashness of her sister but for her own safety as well. It was too difficult after losing my wife to bring our Angel into such a … violent lifestyle. She was pure and unhindered from the dangers of our enemies, but I think it was more my own selfishness to keep her that way.”
“Is that why you chose me?” I asked, a sliver of anger building in my veins at the thought of someone putting their hands onmyAngel.
“One of the reasons, yes. But I also know that you wouldn’t hurt her. Not like a lot of other men,” he clarified when I cocked a brow at him.
There were sick thoughts that had popped into my head when I was first offered her; now that she was mine though, I would rather mold her willingly. To have her crave my cock like I already craved her sweet pussy.
“You know, speaking of being the head of the family,” I started, tucking the thoughts about Angel away. For now. “I did hear some gossip from two of your guards when I was leaving the estate earlier.” I gave him a run-down of what had happened, recapping what I had heard. “As I’m sure you can guess, I would rather not risk any possible threats to our deal.” Raff’s lips hadthinned the longer I talked, his friendly demeanor vanishing. As soon as I finished explaining, he leaned over, whispering to his bodyguard low enough that I couldn't hear him.
“With a family like this, there are always enemies,” he offered after he was done speaking to one of the three bodyguards. The bulky man turned to make a call. “And while I trust my men implicitly, you might be correct in the transfer of power rattling some cages.”
“Better to be safe than sorry, I can imagine.”
“Don’t worry, it will be taken care of,” Raff told me firmly.
I nodded and glanced around once more, eyeing Angel’s delicate profile as she stared at an advertisement. “So, what exactly are we doing here, Raff?” I questioned after a long pause. Not that the summer shops and farmer’s market weren’t a pleasant place to spend an afternoon, but I had yet to figure out our purpose in coming here.
“I figured it would be good for Angel to get out. And for the two of you to spend time together while still giving us some privacy to discuss the wedding and all of those pesky little details.”
“Is that it?” I prodded, knowing there was more.
Raff chuckled, smirking at me. “You’ve always been observant. I’m glad to see that hasn’t withered over the years,” he joked before sobering. “I also wanted to discuss what to expect when the ceremony is over. For when you take my place.”
I didn't say anything, mulling over his words.Weddingwas still such a foreign concept to me, but the longer I thought about it, the more open to the decision I was.
“I'm assuming that I will be taking over as soon as the wedding is complete?”
Raff sighed before nodding. “As much as I love my family and what I do, I would rather transition everything over before it's too late.” I looked at him, noting the deep-set lines around hiseyes and mouth. Raff was growing older, one of the oldest mafia bosses in the United States, and I could only imagine what would happen if his family was left without a successor.
“Yeah, I can understand that, although I'm still a little shocked that you would pick me,” I admitted. We’d known each other for many years, but I had never truly considered us that close. I was a good pick for Angel, but one thing I’d learned from him long ago was that Raffaello Price always hadseveralmotives for why he did what he did. Before I could ask, however, his phone started to ring. Holding up a finger, he dug his cell out of his pocket and stepped away. Giving him some privacy, I sought out Angel in the crowd. My soon-to-be bride. My fiancée. Youthful. Innocent. Just one look at her and I already wanted to corrupt her. It was intoxicating.
Chapter 8
Angel
He was thirty-six—exactly twice my age. A ‘businessman’ according to my father, which was code for he made his money by doing illegal shit. That was it. That was the entire breadth of information I managed to glean from my father. To say I was frustrated would be an understatement.
Even if he didn’t voice it, I knew the truth. Gaven Belmonte was a talented man … in the art of killing. More than that, he obviously had my father’s complete and utter confidence because it was only a few short days after our littledinner datethat I found myself striding along the street next to him as we ran errands and did things any normal couple would do to prepare for their wedding. Except we were as far from a normal couple as possible.
“You seem nervous.” Gaven’s words were lilted with amusement.
I shrugged and lied. “Of course not.”
“Oh?” I could feel the burn of his attention on the side of my face, but I ignored it as I perused the veils and shoes on the shelf of what felt like the hundredth shop we’d visited today.
I scowled at the white lace and the stick heels that would topple any awkward bride and send them straight to the floor.Heels definitely had to be the invention of a man. They certainly seemed to only do two things—raise a woman’s ass and keep them from running away. Heat encompassed my back where I stood in front of the stand of stilettos.
“See something you like?” he asked.
Dimly aware that the two of us are being watched by the guards that have followed us this time—due to my insistence—as well as the store clerk’s, I tempered my response. “I’m not into heels,” I said.
Reaching past me, Gaven plucked a pair of diamond studded stilettos from the shelf and held them in front of my face. “Really? I think these would suit you perfectly.”
