Page 47 of Sinfully Savage Mafia

Fuck. But I take the seat next to him, feeling like he somehow has me to do with as he pleases, when all he’s done is sit down.

A knot of warmth coils in my belly when a quick, sidelong glance at him slams into me. The bastard’s definitely smiling. Like he just won some kind of prize.

What the fuck is this business deal with Dad?

My father clears his throat and I focus on him, glad for a reason not to look at the devious devil next to me.

“I got some disturbing news today, Heaven,” Dad starts, rubbing the back of his neck. “News that will force us to take action,swiftaction.”

“Dad,” I say, gripping the arm of the sofa tight. “From what I hear, Dominguez didn’t just try something on us…”

I trail off. Something isn’t right because his expression hasn’t changed.

“Heaven—”

“But Dad, we handled it well. He isn’t a direct threat to us if we stay strong. And I don’t know what Villani’s got to do with it.”

“Everything.” Matteo’s rich voice sends dark awareness streaking through me.

Dad looks at Matteo, then at Conor, and finally back to Matteo.

Okay, I am thoroughly confused right now. Why the hell isn’t my father looking atme?

I press my Doc Martens into the floor and fold my hands tightly, mainly to stop from storming up and over to my father’s desk. “Can I know why the three of you look like you’re sharing some special secret?”

No one says anything, but a smirk plays over my brother’s face, like he’s the one cat who got all the cream. My stomach turns to lead, and for a moment I wonder if Matteo told them what happened, but no. He can’t get anything from that. Except maybe a pistol whipping.

Dad’s not looking at me, and Conor’s acting like he won, and Matteo…I narrow my eyes at him. He meets my gaze with nothing more than cool composure that might be mistaken as innocuous, but which I know is dangerous.

Does he have something on my family? I breathe in, struggling against my temper that wants to flare. “You know, before you go and open the barn door all the way, Dad, maybe you should consider that Villani here had something to do with that attack. Did you think about that before you invited him in to sniff our pile of dirty laundry?”

My dad turns to me then. “He’s here to help us, Heaven.”

“What do you mean,help? I thought this was supposed to be a meeting to discuss a business partnership.”

“Itisa partnership,” Dad says, expelling a deep sigh. “Just not the type you were expecting.”

“Welcome to your new life.”

My heart thuds fast as I look at the gorgeous, dangerous face that just uttered those five words that send a chill down my spine. And Matteo smiles.

“As my bride.”

CHAPTER9

HEAVEN

My head spins, and for a moment, I thought Matteo Villani told me I’m marrying him.

He meets my gaze, and there’s a glimmer of victory in those brilliant blue eyes, a cynical turn to his sensuous mouth.

“What the fuck?—”

“Heaven,” Matteo says, voice even, calm, almost expressionless. But I can hear the mocking note. “Is that any way to speak to your future husband?”

Conor starts to laugh, and I’m on my feet fast. I stalk over to my brother and grab his shirt. “Shut up.”

“Yes, shut up, Conor,” Matteo says behind me.

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