Page 92 of Deadly Vows

He doesn’t flinch, clicking his tongue at me in disappointment. “You should be more cautious with something so precious to you, Luca. You know this is a dangerous world we live in,” he says.

I fight the urge to punch his teeth in as he smiles at me.

“As it turns out, she was at the Sokolov’s auction house at the same time you were,” I say.

Alexander shrugs.

“It isn’t a secret that I frequent the auction house… nor are my reasons,” he chuckles, standing. I watch him carefully as he moves to the small bar, pouring himself a glass of scotch.

“Nor is it a secret that you were part of the private auction she was thrown into,” I say, standing.

His unbothered facade remains as he watches me cross the room, taking a sip of his drink.

“There’s a list, you say, meaning there are others on that list?” he asks.

He takes in my silence, laughing. “This is sad, even for you, Luca. Have you bothered with the other names on this list?” he asks, chuckling.

He’s deflecting.

“Yes,” is all I say.

Silence passes between us, and I make sure to keep my eyes lined to his. It’s making him uneasy.

He laughs.

“All this paranoia is getting to you, huh? Hard to trust these days, especially with everything happening within your own ranks. Can’t say I wasn’t disappointed when Eli’s blood failed to kill you. Who knows, maybe she still can from the grave,” he says, hoping to get a rise out of me.

But I keep myself calm, focusing on his reactions.

“You know, now that I think of it, I did see your wife.” His smile grows as he speaks. “You should have seen her there with that lingerie on… she did look good enough to fuck but you and I both know I need more to get it going. I did try, to be honest. But some lucky bastard outbid me. Seems they were willing to pay a hefty price even with your name carved into her supple flesh,” he laughs, stepping away from me.

I know he is trying to get a rise out of me, but the more he speaks, the less control I have over myself.

“Too bad I couldn’t get a hold of her. I would have enjoyed beating her within an inch of her life as she begged for you to come to her rescue—”

My fist is smashing into the side this face before he can finish his sentence. As he stumbles, I grip him by his shoulder, throwing him back into the bar before pressing my forearm into his throat. I pull out my blade, plunging it into his shoulder, twisting it for good measure as he cries out in pain.

“You crazy fu—aargh!” he cries out as I twist the knife.

I lean in closer to him, my eyes lined with his as I speak.

“I’m sure I don’t have to explain how fucked you are if you are the one who won that bid, do I?” I ask.

He turns pale, his eyes widening as he finally drops his shitty facade.

“I didn’t take her, you crazy bastard,” he grits through bloody teeth.

I reach above him, grabbing the decanter of scotch, pouring it over the knife wound. He screams in pain, and I watch in pleasure.

I place my finger against the tip of the knife, and he jerks in pain.

“If you took my wife, if you laid one finger on her…I’ll fucking show you crazy,” I say.

I stand, watching him in irritation. I don’t trust that he didn’t take her. I smile, pointing to my blade as I leave.

“Keep it as a reminder,” I call to him as I make my way to the door. I yank it open, and Romelo follows closely behind.

“Keep an eye out,” I murmur as we walk through the halls.

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