Page 39 of Rubies and Revenge

“Reassuring,” he deadpans.

Energy skitters through me, and I wish I could dispel it bythrowing a punch. Move my body in a way that will ground me inside it, keep my mind from racing and my worry from growing. Casa Nostra is more than an opportunity to schmooze the créme de la créme of the city, it’s the only real chance to protect my family through this fabricated storm.

Darius rests a hand on my shoulder, large and warm. “Hey.” He gently pulls me to face him, and his dark-brown eyes hold mine. “You’ve got this. We’re all behind you.”

I find his hand and squeeze it hard. “Thanks.”

“Now get in the damn car.” He play-shoves me toward the sedan, opening the door, and I chuckle as I slip into the leather seat.

“Good evening,” a voice purrs beside me.

The same voice I last heard in this exact spot, but much breathier, much whinier, and much, much more welcome.

Zarina Gallo.

In the corner of the garage, Pat darts out from behind a tall shelf. Darius jerks toward them as if he has a chance at stopping them. Pat winks, already leaning against the passenger door with the grace of a barely-restrained tiger. Darius huffs.

My smile sours as I consider Zarina in her emerald-green dress and crimson lips with her brown-black hair falling in waves. “Where are you going?”

“With you, wifey.” She smiles sweetly.

The nickname churns my stomach, and I’d much prefer to get to the fucking point. “Where do you thinkwe’regoing?”

She smooths her hands down her body, ruching the fabric under her fingers like she’s trying to direct my attention. “Into the belly of the beast.”

I don’t take the bait. “Zarina.”

“Hm?” she plays innocent.

“Get out of the car,” I growl.

She simply settles further into her seat, the threat in my voice barely registering. “No, thank you.”

“You cannot come with me.” My hands slide to rest on the outside of my thighs, and I have to force my gaze to remain on her face.

She picks invisible lint off the silk of her dress. “Do you think you garnered an invite into the most exclusive criminal gentleman’s club by virtue of anything other thanmyname andmyaudacity?”

My fingers twitch again, and the urge to gnash my teeth grows. And I know why. It’s not because she’s doubting me or insulting my pride. It’s that she’s right. She’s one thousand fucking percent correct and it kills me.

“I’m coming with you.” She tilts her head, coy and pretty, as if she didn’t just slap me with the truth. “Whether we present ourselves as united in power or separated in turmoil is up to you.”

I study her. She’s dressed to slay a man in his seat without a single cut to his person. Casa Nostra is exclusive, but its patrons are the same people she and her family have known and entertained her whole life. What does tonight mean for her that she must attend? I mimic her, cocking my head. “What are you up to?”

Her gaze smolders with anger. “I won’t be relegated to the shadows simply because I’m fake marrying you.”

I hum, unconvinced. “Shadows are the least of your worries. No one will be able to take their eyes off you.”

“If by no one, you mean yourself, then I believe it.”

I keep my tone light. “I could forcibly remove you.”

“You could try.” She lifts a single brow, as if in challenge.

We stare at each other, two boulders unwilling to give way against the current. Zarina needs something at Casa Nostra, something that will likely help her along in annulling our fake engagement and therefore demoting my status from Cardinal Family member’s fiancée back down to notorious queer gangster with a target on her back.

How badly do I want to stop her?

I dart for her wrist, drawing my gun with my other hand, but Zarina’s quicker. She snatches my arm and pulls me close. Sharp, cold steel rests against my jugular as the edge of her knife threatens to slice me open. Goose bumps shiver down my spine.

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