Page 52 of Sinfully Savage Mafia

“Business is business.”

“Since her mother died, it’s been a difficult life for her, money aside. Heaven struggled for a long time to find her place in a family full of big, brutal men, but she’s strong. Do not underestimate her.”

“I wouldn’t dare.”

Maura wags a finger in front of my face. “Zip it. I’m not finished yet.”

I smile and gesture for her to go on.

“She won’t go easy,” Maura continues. “But she’s a good girl—smart, selfless, and sweet when she wants to be.”

“I’ll make sure she’s taken care of.”

Maura laughs and shakes her head. “This is not a warning about her and needing to handle her with kid gloves. Treat her with respect, even if this is business.”

All the filthy, hot, debauched things I want to do to Heaven have nothing to do with respect. But I keep that to myself. I’m going to own her, break her, make her mine before I throw her to the wolves. Not out of any sadistic streak, mind you, but because it is, as I said, business.

“I will.”

“You’d better.” Maura’s expression turns into one of warning. “I’ve seen what she can do with a paring knife, and it ain’t pretty.”

“Noted,” I say. “I appreciate your candidness.”

Maura gives me a long look as she expels a sigh. “I’ll get Heaven ready.”

I watch her walk away before I join my brother at the bar again. “Meeting the family, huh?” he says with a grin.

I rub the back of my neck. So much is riding on this arrangement, on winning Heaven to cement my power. It’s going to be glorious.

“This is the start of our era, Romo.” It’s the real beginning, the first step in claiming the power I desire.

Declan and Conor appear in the doorway, and Declan nods his head toward me, a signal to join him. Conor glares at me and pushes past, stalking toward the front door of the pub.

His pettiness tells me I’ve won and he knows it. But I don’t say a word.

Declan holds open the door for me. “She’s in my office. Take a few minutes with her to figure out logistics. We’ll be out here waiting.”

I stuff my hands in my pockets, my fingers hitting the tiny ring box. Not only will she be leaving with me, but she’ll be wearing my ring, showing the world my claim. My chest tightens, as memories of my mother float into my mind. God, she’d hate me laying claim to a woman for business purposes, and if she were still alive, she’d have plenty to say about it.

But this isn’t just to suit my purposes.

I’m doing this for my whole family, for Red Ladro, the syndicate I helped build with a group of other families situated around the world. New York City is mine, and from here I can strengthen and build my connections across the world.

I walk toward Declan’s office to collect what’s going to be mine, setting the stage for the next part of my plan.

Heaven.

CHAPTER11

MATTEO

Iknock on the door of the office.

“Come in.”

Heaven is leaning against the desk in the center of the room, arms folded over her chest. I can see the bruises more clearly in the overhead light. She’s still dressed in the same gray T-shirt and jeans, still wearing the baseball cap pulled down low over her eyes.

I don’t need to see those green beauties to feel the heat they emit. And it’s not the good kind, either.

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