Page 17 of Devil’s Promise

Vigo became obsessed with a single mom and convinced her to marry him. She was weak and frightened, and in typical Vigo style, he took advantage.

But when she ran from her marriage, she went straight into the arms of the largest real estate tycoon in the country, maybe the world. Rushton Smith.

I’ve got to give Giulia credit. She played her cards just right. I lean back in my chair. My little wifey upstairs is the kind of pretty, the kind of cultured, that if I’m not careful, she could find a man like Rush.

I have no intention of letting her go on any terms other than the ones I set. Which is why I’m going to keep a very close eye on her.

Vigo spent too much time blind drunk, and his own ego convinced him she’d come back. I won’t make either of those mistakes.

And I’m going to find a way past Rush’s fortress walls as well. This is my time.

Gunner picks at the nail of his trigger finger. “You know that little cunt, Gigi, has been stonewalling us.”

He’s referring to Giulia, who now goes by Gigi. She changed her name when she left Vigo. He has that effect on people. Not sure why Gunner’s calling her a cunt exactly, other than she is currently standing between us and the man we want to meet with.

I’m not even sure it’s she who is blocking us. It’s likely not a point Gunner cares about. He’s more of a shoot first, ask questions later kind of guy. But I know that the who and the why are important if we’re going to eventually get our way.

Every time we call asking for Rush, a polite assistant, who is not Gigi, takes our message and then assures we’ll hear back. We never do.

Which is why I’m going to try a new tact. I pick up the phone in front of me, dialing the Smith Brothers’ offices main line.

“Smith Brothers. How may I direct your call?” a smooth female voice asks.

“Gigi Hope, please,” I say, giving a fake smile to add a fake pleasantness to my voice.

“Of course, sir,” she responds, the hold music coming on a moment later.

It barely takes ten seconds before the line picks up. “Gigi Hope, how may I help you?”

When I said that Gigi rushed into a Smith’s arms, what I actually meant was she got a job as Rush Smith’s assistant. In less than a month, however, not only was he fucking her, but he was out slaying all her dragons. She must be an amazing lay.

“Gigi,” I say smoothly into the line. “It’s your nephew, Angel.” Gigi is younger than I am. But I reference our familial bond with intent.

“Angel,” she answers, the fear that laces her voice making my mouth twitch down. I need her cooperation, not her fear.

“Is that Sinclair?” I hear Rush’s harsh rumble in the background. “What the fuck does he want?”

But before I can answer, his voice comes directly through the line. “What the fuck do you want?”

Calling Gigi was the right choice. And I could point out that he told me to call her and make an appointment.

Instead, I focus on the work-around I’m angling for. “I wanted to tell Gigi the happy news.”

“Happy news?” I can hear his molars grinding through the receiver.

“I’m getting married. This weekend.”

“Married?” It takes a lot to surprise Rush Smith I’d imagine, but I hear his shock now. A wicked smile curls my lips.

“That’s right. To Senator Donald Winthrop’s daughter, Promise.”

He doesn’t answer. I don’t need him to. I know that big brain of his is recalibrating. Marrying Promise makes me a player. One that he shouldn’t just set to ignore.

“I know it’s last minute, but I hoped you and Gigi might come.”

Gunner eyes me with suspicion while my brother Axel appraises me with the shrewdness of a true tactician.

Of all my brothers, he sees the bigger picture, the way to move the pieces.