Page 34 of Ruthless Sinner

“I needed someone who would make sure the package didn’t fall into the hands of anyone who intercepted it, otherwise…” Vincent held up his hands. “Game over. They’d see what was really in the packages and know what stunt we were trying to pull. And I needed someone who wouldn’t get caught themselves otherwise the Chinese would know what we were up to. Either way we’d be screwed. But I knew you’d come through.”

“You trusted me enough to be a good soldierbut not enough to actually know what the bigger plan was?” I shook my head. “That’s not going to fly, Vincent. If anything were to happen to you, I’d have to step up and help Dad out. And I can’t do that if I don’t know anything.”

Vincent shook his head right back at me. “I want to trust you but come on, Marco, when have you or Dante given me any reason to think you could handle the family business? You’re an adrenaline junkie.”

“Y’know, that’s why I like Kennedy so much. She’s the first person to know that’s not all I am.” I jabbed my finger onto the desk. “You and Dad have known me my entire life and you still think so fucking little of me. This woman’s known me a month and she gives me more credit than you two ever did.”

“You sure she’s not just trying to get on your good side?”

“Kennedy could do a lot better than me, trust me. I had to practically beg her to commit to our relationship and you know I don’t beg.” I straightened. “Keep me in the fucking loop, Vincent, or don’t include me at all. None of this in-between shit.”

Vincent looked at me. “Will you be responsible and actually come to me with problems and play by the rules instead of complaining and cutting it fast and loose?”

We glared at each other. We were both stubborn sons of bitches when it came down to it—that trademark Russo refusal to back down. I had a lot of pride, and so did Vincent, and neither of us wanted to be the first one to break.

I saw his shoulders relax a little and I let out a breath, saying, “Fine,” at almost the same moment that he did.

Vincent held out his hand for me to shake. I laughed. “What are we, fuckin’ business partners?”

He rolled his eyes. “Suit yourself.”

“By the way,” I added, “Kennedy’s my plus one to the wedding.”

“She’swhat?”

CHAPTER14

Kennedy

Iwas terrified of going to this wedding.

I was aware that was kind of silly of me. A wedding? A social gathering? That’s what had me all tied up in knots? But in my defense, this was a mafia wedding. This wasn’t just a group of family and friends who were invited—this was political. All of the Russo allies would be there, including some not-exactly-allies that the Russos couldn’t afford tonotinvite if they wanted to keep the peace. One of those families was the Petrovs, the very ones that owned New York and were currently being fucked with by Vincent Russo.

Marco gave me averyappreciative once-over when he saw me in the dress I’d picked out. “Good choice.”

He was in a suit, of course, since he’d be one of the groomsmen. Marco had said that he and Vincent patched things up, but he didn’t tell me anything further, and I decided this wasn’t something I could pry about. Maybe it would give me good information, maybe it wouldn’t, but either way I had to be careful not to seem too curious about Marco’s relationships. He and Vincent had come to some sort of agreement, and that was what mattered to me. Through Marco, I might be able to get more important information.

Of course, no matter how much or how little the brothers were fighting wouldn’t matter. Marco and his youngest brother, Dante, would be groomsmen at the wedding to keep up appearances and stop gossip.

I hadn’t told Johnson about the whole… game that Vincent was playing with two other families. Playing them against each other, making them paranoid and angry. He was basically starting a war, and hoping the two would both be so weak he could use it to swoop in and claim some power and territory for himself.

This was big, especially with the D.A. planning something on their own end… and with our undercover operatives in the field. This would throw everyone off their game and cause chaos.

But I still hadn’t said anything.

Why?

I told myself it was too early. If I shared this with my superiors and then word spread, Vincent Russo would know for sure who’d blabbed. I had to wait until a few more people knew about this. That way he couldn’t trace any leaks back to me.

That wasn’t the only reason, though. Even if I pretended that it was.

“Lookin’ good, handsome,” I teased Marco as he fiddled with his cufflinks and tie.

“I always hate these things. Vincent and Dante are the suit guys, not me.”

“You could always show up in your motorcycle gear, kick the wedding off with a nice fashion scandal.”

I stepped forward and did up his cufflinks, then his tie. The groomsmen were in soft dove grey suits, perfect for the weather and matching the lighter color theme that the bride had gone with. I thought it paired rather nicely with my bright yellow dress.

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