Page 92 of Sinner's Vows

“Good.” There’s a beat of silence. “You know we can’t let that woman loose into the world, Nicky.”

That woman.It isn’t only his word choice that riles me up, but also his tone. I know he’s right, butfuck?—

“She isn’t justthat woman.” He’s talking about her as if she’s a massive problem the cat dragged in and we need to eliminate. “And she isn’t going to become your pawn to play with, Matteo. To use as you see fit.”

He just stares at me from across the counter in a silent battle of wills. Of strength. Brother against brother. Matteo is a mean fucker, but I’m meaner. For that, I’ve the Don to thank.

“We’ll see. You go figure out in Italy what she knows about Gabriella. Go find our sister alone, without another Scalera by your side, as you’re clearly on a mission here. But understand this, Dominic: you bring Ariana Morelli back here. She knows and has seen too much.”

With that, he stalks off, giving me that tattooed back of his, the dragon’s body rippling as he walks away, rolling his shoulders.

Here be a line in the sand…sand that could soak up some blood if things between us go wrong, if I cross my brother. For a second, the possibility that Matteo is only my half-brother floods my mind. He could be Randazzo’s offspring.

The idea doesn’t get a foothold, because even if Matteo was Randazzo’s son, that won’t change anything between us. We’ve been through too much to be anything but blood brothers for life, but I won’t let him cross me on this. And we have the most important bond, anyway—Mom.

“Fuck,” I grunt softly, knowing we’re heading for an impasse.

I make my way out of the apartment, this whole fuckup roaring in my mind. I want to protect Ariana, but I want to protect my brothers, too. My duty and loyalty lie with my family first. That’s the only way to survive in our world.

I go through the layers of security to enter the chamber where Vincenzo has been rotting away. He’s the last man left in here and sways in his seat as he becomes aware of me.

I pull the gun from my holster, and for a fleeting second, other men’s faces flash in my mind’s eye as I stare into his glazed gaze. The Don. Emilio Randazzo.

Matteo.

I pull the trigger.

49

ARIANA

It’s mid-afternoon by the time I head out to the airport with two bodyguards and another car tailing us. I haven’t seen Dominic the whole morning. Once Portia and Arturo were done with sharing everything they knew about Gabriella’s adoption and subsequent disappearance to Italy, Dominic left, telling me to get my things ready and he’d come back as soon as he’d organized everything for our trip.

He never came back. I was left with Portia to clean the clothes I had, and then she had the bright spark to send Arturo shopping for something ‘decent’ so I’mnot walking around in Italy looking like a sweatshop.

“I don’t care, Portia,” I’d protested, but clearly, she did.

Now I’m heading with a security detail to the same airport I landed at with Franco, still no sign of Dominic, but with a suitcase of seriously gorgeous clothes that’s only going to be a waste.

I’m nervous. Not having Dominic around works on my mind, and it’s as if I miss him, like going barefoot for the first time in years. I still don’t understand how he slipped past my defenses so quickly, but the fact is he has.

The driver pulls up at the terminal building, parks to make a few calls, then navigates his way directly onto the tarmac.

My heart stills. There he is, waiting by the stairs of what looks like a very expensive jet.

Dominic walks up to the car as it comes to a stop and opens the door.

“Ariana.” He holds his hand out for me. “I’d thought I’d have time to fetch you, but it didn’t work out that way.”

“It’s okay,” I say, putting my hand in his.

There’s trust here, and when he doesn’t let go of my hand but lets us walk side by side to the stairs, a warm thrill runs through me. This. This is what I’ve been missing all these years. Someone like this taking care of me. It goes against every rule I’d laid out for myself when I set out to take Franco and Randazzo down, but I never knew or guessed I missed having someone like Dominic in my life. Someone who cares and needs me as much as I need him. Someone who understands me as I understand him.

His hand is on the small of my back as he guides me up the stairs. Once we’re inside the jet, past the hostess and pilots who greet us, I swallow down a small gasp. I’ve never experienced this height of luxury before.

“Let me show you around.” Dominic is in front, his fingers intertwined with mine as he leads me deeper into the cabin. “It’s a long enough flight that you get a proper night’s rest.”

He opens a door, and I peek inside. This time, I can’t help myself. I gasp. “It’s more luxurious than a five-star hotel room.”

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