Page 56 of Heartless Sinner

Miss Hernandez’s fingers flexed around her purse. She looked down at the ground. “Sonya was easily charmed, you know. But she didn’t really fall deeply. I don’t think he understood that—that he was more into her than she was into him.”

The young girl shook her head. “I told her that he was dangerous, you know. I know that kind of possessive look, but Sonya thought his quiet personality was nice, so different from the other men who came to the club. He never even came for himself, he would come to check in on his brother. But Sonya was drawn to that darkness, that brooding air, but the quiet ones are the most dangerous, they’ve got… he had that look in his eyes, you know the one.”

I did know the one. Bloodlust. I didn’t have it myself. For all that I could make myself look intimidating and dangerous—and I was dangerous—I wasn’t the kind of person who liked violence. I didn’t have a violent heart. But I knew plenty of men in our world who did. Men who couldn’t control those brutal tendencies.

“You warned Sonya not to cheat on him?” I asked.

Miss Hernandez nodded. “I knew he wasn’t the type who would take it well. I could see him with his brother, watching him. He was waiting for an excuse to snap. He was at his breaking point and his brother was reckless.”

It occurred to me that, from the outside, that this woman could probably be describing Marco and me. That left a bad taste in my mouth and I resolved to check in on my brother, maybe take him out for a drink, make sure he knew I cared.

“You think this man killed Sonya for cheating on him?”

Miss Hernandez’s eyes got wet and she wiped at the tears that fell. “He loved her. I could tell. But he was a proud man who no doubt felt deceived, and he was angry with his brother. I think—if Sonya had cheated on him with any other man, he would have found a way to let her go or forgive her. But with his brother—I don’t think he could forgive that and so he murdered him.”

She looked up at me, her eyes pleading. “Please, I’m scared he knows that Sonya would talk to me about it. I saw him, when he would bring Sonya home, and I know his name. I fear that’s enough for him to kill me, too.”

“You’ll be safe.” I nodded at Toby, who offered Miss Hernandez his arm. “Toby here will take care of you, get you all set up at your new place. I’ll handle the man myself. Just tell me his name.”

Toby looked smitten as Miss Hernandez took his arm and oh boy, I did not need to deal with that. She looked up at me, her gaze a little less fearful, like she trusted that I could protect her. Which I would.

When she told me the man’s name, my stomach dropped.

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Chapter Twenty-Four

Marla

* * *

When I got back to the apartment later that afternoon, I was surprised to find it empty and silent. Jack seemed a little surprised too, but he declared it safe after he did a sweep, no sign of anything bad going on.

“You won’t always feel so high alert, ma’am,” he told me when he finished. “It’s usually pretty boring. You’ll even get used to me being around. It’ll be like I’m not even there.”

I nodded absently. My conversation with my brother still disconcerted me. The entire time, it had felt like I was talking to a different person, and I had to ask myself how well I knew Alexander, just as I’d had to ask myself how well I’d known Dmitri. One of them was dead and the other… I didn’t know, something just didn’t feel right.

The front door opened and I turned, my heart racing in anticipation, butterflies erupting in my stomach—but it wasn’t Vince. It was his father.

“Mr. Russo.” I crossed to the kitchen as Jack hovered by the door, unsure whether to stay or go. “Can I get you something to drink? Some coffee, perhaps?”

“Very good at playing the consummate hostess, I see.” Mr. Russo’s eyes were the same color as Vince’s, and yet, they looked nothing alike. “The only thing you can get for me, Miss Preston, is the hell out.”

I paused, my hands on the kitchen counter. “I’m sorry?”

Out of his pocket, Mr. Russo withdrew a large envelope. I didn’t have to look at it long to know what was inside. “This should be more than enough to please you. I have plans for my sons, Miss Preston. All of them. Frankly, I thought Vincent would be smart enough to come to me with a shortlist and we could decide which woman would be best for him, but it seems he has the same stubborn impetuous streak as his two brothers.”

“Can’t imagine where he gets it,” I replied dryly.

Mr. Russo set the envelope on the kitchen island. “I suggest you take this, and leave the city. The wedding will be called off and my son won’t be chained to your… unfortunate family.”

“My family may be less powerful than yours but it’s far from unfortunate,” I replied calmly.

An odd, amused look passed over Carlo’s face. “If you say so.”

“So, what?” I asked, turning to face him completely. It put the knife block directly behind my back, and I kept my hand crossed behind me. “You expect me to just take the money? Do you have a body bag prepared and some cement in case I don’t go quietly?”

Mr. Russo scoffed. “Vincent would know if I killed you. He knows the business too well. But you’re a smart girl, I’m sure you’ll do the right thing.”

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