Page 57 of Impenitent Claim

Just as I positioned myself to take down another goon, gunfire broke out at the perimeter. With the increase in noise, the men inside shuffled in anticipation. I used that cover to my advantage. Headshots were risky, the sudden movement of the target making it possible to miss. So I shot center mass and crept up behind to slide my blade across each throat. I had to change my clip only once.

By the time the Rinaldis burst through the door, there was only my presence to haunt them. I stepped back into the shadows, the darkness enveloping me once again. The air was thick with the metallic scent of their oil and fuel. My boots were soundless on the concrete as I hugged the walls, staying just outside the beam of light. The glow was blinding in the blackness, making my pupils contract painfully each time I risked a glance.

But I had to make sure there was no funny business.

If the youths of the mafia thought it was odd their assailants were dead, they didn’t comment. I cracked my neck and glared at them. The sloppy training was inexcusable. The ranking officers of the war camp I belonged to would have beaten—if not shot—us for such conduct. The scars on my back ached in the memory of one such beating, although I’d personally never been careless on a mission.

When I was doing my initial reconnaissance, a little digging showed this organization was struggling financially. But I could never have guessed from the outside that the Rinaldi Mafia was this disorganized and badly run. Aldo Bruno wouldn’t hold power for very long if he kept operating at this level.

As I continued to watch, the brother came into view. His shadow stretched long across the compound. My chest tightened as I watched him stop to adjust his rifle. A few steps and we would be on top of one another. He didn’t look my way. I slipped behind a column, the rough metal scraping my back, but no sound escaped.

She loves him.

A gust of wind shot through the open door. I could feel the cool night air against my clammy neck. This person was precious to Isabella, so what did that mean for my schemes?

I cursed softly in Russian.

If she was that distraught about him coming out tonight, there was no way Isabella would leave this boy. I rubbed the bridge of my nose against the butt of my gun. The answer was obvious. I couldn’t be the reason they were separated. How I hadn’t seen it yet proved I wasn’t watching my siren as closely as I should. What I knew of her was surface level. To prove that she was my future, I needed to make her every thought, every desire, and each secret my whole world.

So…I would have to fake two deaths and kidnap two Rinaldis because little Giovanni was coming with us or his sister would never forgive me.

Another violent string of curses ran through my head.

The Rinaldis left a long trail of fuel out the front door as they disappeared. This warehouse was going to go up in smoke in a matter of seconds. I retraced my steps, grumbling up the whole flight of stairs. By the time I crawled onto the stack of crates, smoke wafted up to my perch. I waited for the Rinaldis to leavethrough the perimeter before I dropped to the ground and folded into the night.

Chapter 24 – Isabella

An ideal bridal shower would be my favorite themes spread out and used to decorate. A cozy gathering would be easiest. If I could trust them to do a cosplay fantasy romance ball, even better. Any excuse to dress up would be amazing. Or a simpler alternative, we could be doing an activity! Something seasonal, since I was certain my nature spirit was an autumn. We could be out picking apples at an orchard, riding on a hay wagon, and maybe petting goats. Since no one bothered to ask me what I would like, I was in a frumpy tweed skirt suit, sipping weak tea and ignoring the dry cucumber finger sandwich on my plate. The room looked like a blush palate threw up on a gold and white room. There wasn’t a pumpkin, stalk of harvest wheat, or fall bloom to be seen let alone a warrior queen’s crown or a night court fae’s gown.

Wandering to the window, I gazed at the blazing maple outside.I have no say….

In anything.

One of Signora Modesti’s pugs trotted over. Each eye went in different directions, and the poor thing’s tongue lolled to theside. Tossing a quick glance around the room to make sure no one saw, I nudged the finger sandwich from my plate.

The pug darted over and made short work of the food. He snorted and coughed as he ate. I wouldn’t be surprised if he choked. The little critter was inbred and extremely unhealthy. I didn’t need a veterinarian’s degree to know that.

I wandered away from the crime scene to deposit my dishes on a tray one of the house staff held as she moved through the room.

“There you are, my dear,” Cecilia said with fake affection. Her fingers dug into my flesh as she navigated me into the sitting room.

I was forced to fold myself onto a brocade sofa, where I was immediately pelted with questions about the big day.

“I can’t believe the wedding is still moving forward,” Rosa Eminati gushed.

That makes two of us.With everything that was happening, it seemed a farce.

“And why wouldn’t it?” Cecilia snapped.

I winced inwardly for Rosa’s sake. No one else mentioned the lunacy of continuing the act of my happily ever after. They asked for details, which the strega answered with clipped, scathing remarks.

“Why don’t you open your gifts,” Signora Modesti suggested.

With a nod, I agreed. “Of course.”

The ladies gathered around. Pale packages in various shades of cream and pink were set one after the other beside me. Cecilia hovered, always finding something to say about the gifts. It quickly became mechanical, tearing the paper and showing off what was inside the box.

“I just couldn’t decide between the crystal vases on your registry, so I purchased both,” Caterina purred. She actuallysounded feline. “You have such exquisite taste, my dear Isabella.”

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