Page 49 of Mafia and Gold Digger

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

SAINT

My phone buzzes in my pocket, but I ignore it. It’s fucking Christian. He can go fuck himself. I’ve been raging since I found out he wants Emerald to marry Piero.

I push from the wall and go out to my car. A hand drags through my hair, messing up the already mussed up strands.

I pull out a cigarette and my lighter, but my phone starts vibrating again with Christian’s name flashing up. “What?” I snap into it as I flick the lighter.

“Where are you?”

“Out.”

“Well, get back. We need to talk.”

“I’m busy.” I suck the smoke into my lungs, letting the familiar sensation ease the tight muscles of my body. “Can’t it wait?” I grit out.

“No.”

“Christian—”

“Get back to the casino, Saint.”

There’s no room to argue. I don’t even give a reply before I hang up and slide into the driver’s seat. I don’t even waste time greeting anyone as I march through the lobby and past the doors until I hit Christian’s office.

The men stationed outside raise a brow, but I ignore them as I barge past.

“What?” I bark at Christian.

“Sit.”

My hand flexes at my side, but I follow the order, breathing out my frustration into a terse huff.

“I need you to find Emerald.”

“What for? To drag her to the altar to marry Piero? I thought you had that all under control.”

“She’s left town.”

I lean forward, my elbows braced on my knees. “What do you mean?”

“Carmine’s still hellbent on revenge against Emerald. He thinks if it wasn’t for her, his brother would still be alive. We need to track her down and get her to safety before he can hurt her. It’s only a matter of time before someone does the hit. None of our Imperiosi guys would dare go against me and do it, but he’s put it out among some contractors. And it’s a hefty price tag.” Christian pauses, dragging a hand down his face.

I don’t even acknowledge that the news rattles me—because that would mean that I have a heart. And as far as Christian’s concerned, I’m as coldhearted as they come.

He sighs heavily. “Seems like she’s run off somewhere. Left the kids with Jacquetta for now. She told her that the kids would be much safer if she wasn’t around for a while. You’d think that Carmine would also be coming after you as you were also involved in the whole Calcedonio situation at the funeral, but he’s obviously decided to go for the easier target instead.”

“Fucking coward,” I growl, no longer able to contain myself. “We’d know if Carmine already got to her. He’d be boasting about it from the rooftops.”

“I know. Which means she must still be alive. But for how long, I don’t know. That’s why you need to find her.”

“Why me?”

His eyes settle on my face. “Because you’re the best. And Jacquetta is going out of her mind with worry over Emerald.”

My hand wraps around the edge of the armrest to keep my composure. “What’s in it for me? This isn’t my usual sort of assignment. Look, Christian, I’ve told you before that I’m not a goddamn babysitter or bodyguard or whatever else you want me to be. I’m here to track down and kill the traitor in the business, and that’s it.”

“I consider her to be practically family, so we need to protect her. Jacquetta would never forgive me if something happens to Emerald.”

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