Page 17 of Mob Princess

He closed the distance between us, his eyes rife with darkness. “Look, Bonnie. You and I both know that Israel’s never going to attach himself to you, or anyone, for that matter. He views love as something that makes a man weak. He views marriage as something that chops the balls off. He’s never going to bow to what you wish of him.”

I took a step back. “Get away from me.”

He took a step forward, looming over me as desire filled his eyes. “Look, all I’m saying is that I’m here to help my brother. He’s in a time of crisis right now. But if you need some stress relief, too…” He went to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.

I smacked his hand away and started to leave. “We’re done with this conversation. You stay away from me, or I’m going to—”

He stepped in my way. “Tell Israel? Try that. See how it goes.”

I gnashed my teeth at him. “Get out of my way.”

He grinned. “Be a little faster next time.”

Everywhere I stepped, he followed. He blocked me from escaping him, and I’d had enough. I didn’t know what the fuck this man’s plan was, but it sure as hell wasn’t going to work. After placing my hands against his chest to shove him away, I finally got out of the corner he backed me into.

He grabbed my arm and twirled me around.

“Let go of me!” I exclaimed, blood thundering through my ears.

He pulled me toward him. “Listen, Bonnie. I tried to tell you at the wedding, but you’re much too good to be standing beside my brother. He’s not going to love you. Ever. He’s not going to give you what you seek. He’s not capable of it. He’s a sociopath, just like our father. But if you’d like me to try—”

I yanked myself away from him. “You’re a slimy snake, just like my uncle. And I’d rather die before considering a chance with you. I know what you’re doing. I know what you’re trying to do, anyway, because you certainly won’t succeed. You’re trying to get me to cheat on Israel so you can go to him and give him an excuse to toss me out. But it’s not going to work. Your little plan isn’t going to work because my heart belongs to your brother. To Israel. Even if he’ll never love me.”

His head tilted off to the side. “You were never loyal to this family. You started your legacy in this family on a lie. And now that I’m here, I’m going to show my brother once and for all of what my father tried to convince him of a few days ago when they had dinner.”

And there it is. “You want to run that by me one more time? Just so we’re clear?”

He grinned. “You can act as tough as you want. But, I know you didn’t know that. You’re not that smart, Bonnie. Not by a longshot. The man you love and our father had lunch the other day, and our father tried to convince Israel that you’re nothing but a backstabbing bitch. But when Dad can’t get through to people? He calls me. That’s why I’m here. Your rein in Israel’s life is over, Moretti. And I intend to make sure my brother understands that, too.”

I lunged for him. “You’re the one that isn’t loyal. You’d rather slaughter your brother’s home and who he’s got in it than actually give a damn about how he feels. He and I are building something together. Yes, we’ve had some hiccups along the way—”

He snickered. “More like volcanic valleys.”

“But I won’t let you ruin what’s forming between us. I won’t let you come into our home—”

“His home.”

“—and destroy us further when my own damn family is trying to kill us both.”

He chuckled. “This is going to be much easier than I thought, beautiful.”

I hissed at him. “Don’t you call me that.”

Israel’s voice barreled down the hallway behind me. “What’s going on in there? You guys all right?”

I sighed. “Yes, handsome. Everything’s fine!”

I saw Giovanni peer over my shoulder before he reached for me. I backed up, trying to get away from him. But he quickly backed me into a wall. I felt his knee press between my leg and my hands planted against his chest. I tried to shove him away, but damn it, the man had himself firmly planted in front of me. “Get off me.”

His lips fell to my ear. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

I shoved his face away. “Get off—Isr—”

His voice boomed beside us. “What the fuck is this?”

I shoved Giovanni away.

He grabbed my wrist, dragging me along with him. He stumbled back against the chair, and I fell against his body, to which he caught me in his arms. He wrapped himself around me as I struggled to get free while Israel’s anger mounted. I felt it growing in the room, like a balloon being filled with hot air. I watched Giovanni’s disgusting smile spread across his lips as I struggled against him, but when I managed to steal a glimpse at Israel, he looked furious.

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