Page 20 of Heartless Sinner

“Discussing a business deal,” I replied in the same language. “He has a proposal for you. In the wake of what’s happened, I think it would be wise for you to listen to him.”

Papa’s face went a bit red, and anger glinted in his eyes. “You went and spoke to another family’s capo without my permission? You tried to make a deal behind my back?”

“It’s a deal I’m perfectly within my rights to make,” I snapped. “I’m not a child. I’m saving our asses and you should be a little grateful for that. This is the beginnings of a war and we need support! Protection!”

“I need protection from no one!” Papa yelled.

Alexander stepped in between us. “Papa, please.” He looked over at me. “Marla, this is a family matter. You should not have brought him in.”

“Actually, it is a family matter,” Vince said, and my jaw dropped in shock. He spoke Russian?

Vince’s eyes gleamed as he glanced at me, a little smug that he’d managed to surprise me. Something fluttered in my stomach and I did my best to ignore the sensation as Vince looked over at my father.

“With all due respect,” he said, switching back to English so that everyone around could understand him, “I’m here not just to offer my help in this matter. I’m also here to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage.”

Now Alexander and Papa were the ones who had their jaws dropping. All of the men in the room froze, staring openly. I could practically read their thoughts: A Russo brother could have any woman he wanted, surely he would pick someone who would give him a strategic alliance with another powerful family rather than the daughter of a lower-level man.

“You.” Papa squinted. “You want my daughter as your wife.”

“Yes, sir, if you will allow it.”

Papa scoffed. “We may be a proud people, Russo, as we should be. But we know our place. You wouldn’t ever look at our daughter for an alliance. What did you do? Knock her up?”

“Hey!” I strode forward, furious with my father’s crass comment. “How stupid do you think I am, huh? Let a man knock me up? Have I ever been the kind of person who would make that mistake?”

The idea that my own father would so underestimate me… I should have expected it. I really should have. I could remember my brother’s dying words. You’re the smartest. Oh, Dmitri. My sweet, reckless brother. I was going to have my revenge, and I wasn’t going to let my father’s stupidity get in my way.

Two warm hands closed around my elbows and I found myself gently hauled back. Vince’s voice, when he spoke, was calm, but his eyes were thunderous. “I would never do that to your daughter,” he said to Andrei. “Frankly, my reasons for marrying her are none of your business. But I can promise you, I wouldn’t put your daughter in that kind of situation. I’m not irresponsible that way.”

Papa snorted. “You sure? I know how all of you big family boys are. Your fathers own everything so you think you can do whatever you want, have whatever you want. I wouldn’t be surprised if you made a mistake and your father told you to be a man about it.”

“You’re making a grave mistake about what kind of man I am.” Vince’s voice turned even softer, and the light in his eyes even deadlier. “I suggest you watch your words. I will marry your daughter, but that does not mean I won’t hesitate to put you in your place, if needed.”

We were surrounded by my father’s men, all of them armed. Vince had only himself and his bodyguard. And yet it felt like Vince was the one in the room with all the power.

Heat slid through me. I shouldn’t find this attractive. Especially when he was talking to my own father this way. But it seemed I couldn’t help myself.

“You’re also making a grave mistake about what kind of woman your daughter is,” Vince went on, his tone a shade lighter now. “In any case, as your future son-in-law, I would be honor bound to assist you in this matter. I could offer your family protection within my own territory, lend men and resources, whatever it is you need.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Papa said, his chin jutting out arrogantly. “We can deal with this situation on our own.”

Alexander said nothing. I looked over at him and raised my eyebrows. Surely my brother wouldn’t be so stubborn. Surely he wouldn’t let Papa refuse much-needed aid from a powerful family.

Alexander refused to meet my gaze. Goddammit. I was related to fools.

Vince gently released my elbows, and I realized that he’d been holding me the entire time, holding me back. I hadn’t even noticed. It had felt that natural for him to be touching me.

“May I at least have permission to marry your daughter?” Vince asked, even though I knew he didn’t need my father’s approval to do anything, including marrying me. “You and I both know I’d be giving her a life that few others could offer.”

Alexander rarely showed any facial expression beyond neutral, but I saw sour displeasure enter his gaze for a moment. I glared at him. He wasn’t going to scare this man away like he had all others.

Papa looked over at me. “You discussed this with him.”

“You’ve scared away or arranged to have every other man that ever showed an interest in me ‘disappear’, I thought finally you’d be glad about this one,” I replied, with a bit of snark. “I couldn’t do better than a Russo, you know that.”

“Let’s be frank here,” Vince said, stepping up next to me, subtly presenting a united front. “You’ve heard about the exploits of my brother, Marco. And we all know the rumors that Dante’s going straight. I understand your concerns. But I’m the heir and I’m not going anywhere. And I’m not here to jeopardize my family by visiting strip clubs every night. The only kind of trouble I am is for the people who oppose me when I want something.”

Papa eyed him warily. “Marla, come with me.”

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