Varga can’t hurt us. No thanks to you….
“You can’t sell me,” I countered.
“You agreed—”
“You can’t sell me,” I repeated, “because I’m already married.”
I slid my hand down Vincenzo’s sleeve, looped our rings fingers, and held them in the air. “You’ll have to find another way to pay your debts.”
“Filthy, street scum!” Dad spat on the ground.
This was the polished, poised businessman whom I idolized. He was stressed, crazed, and completely changed. Maybe he wasn’t always like this, or maybe I was too eager not to see it. Either way, my eyes were open now.
I squeezed my finger tighter around Vincenzo’s.
“You’re a dead man, Messina.”
I just shook my head.So stupid….
Pulling my phone from my pocket, I showed the screen. The device had recorded the whole conversation.
“The statute of limitations hasn’t passed. Even if it had, with this second trumped-up charge, I can find plenty of judges in the city to scrub his felony. Thanks, Dad, that’s the best wedding present you could have given me.” I uploaded the voice recording to my drive as I spoke.
Dad let out a terrified yell and lunged. Fists raised, he would have struck me if Vincenzo wasn’t lightning fast. He grabbed me, spun me, and moved us both to safety.
He didn’t engage.
That kind of restraint spoke volumes. I wanted to kiss him!
Dad tumbled a few steps, spun on his heel, and made to attack again. This time, Liam came around the corner at a jog, three robust police officers in tow.
I gripped Vincenzo around the waist. “You’re safe,” I promised. “I’ve got you.”
He held me tightly as my dad was arrested on the spot for aggravated assault with intent to commit murder.
It was a pity he didn’t have a clever daughter, willing to go to trial in his defense. Tucked under the shelter of Vincenzo’s arm, his steady presence draped over me, we left the courthouse.
Liam met us by the bike, his helmet already on. He was in the middle of pocketing his half mask.
“What took you so long?” I grumbled, taking my own helmet and yanking it on my head.
I felt the Irishman’s glare from the other side of the visor.
“See you Monday,” was all he said before tearing off.
“Amanda, wait.” Vincenzo gripped my waist. “What you did for me back there—”
“Pretty badass for a Made Woman, don’t you think?” I grinned.
His lips twitched, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes. “You realize that even if your dad is in prison, Varga can still have him killed for the hundred-million-dollar debt.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but my monster spoke over me. “If you want, I’ll pay Varga. I know how important to you your dad is.”
If I wasn’t holding onto the bike, I would have toppled. This man, who hated my father with every fiber of his being, was willing to lay aside his anger…for me.
I didn’t know what to say, didn’t know how to respond.
“I would much rather torture him slowly,” Vincenzo said, sensing my confusion. “But I’ll make sure Varga doesn’t put a hit on him in prison.”
