Page 83 of Sinful Bargains

I had never been in such a blind rage in my life. This was supposed to be our fresh start. We had escaped. We’d come to Staten Island for a new beginning. But so far, I’d been blackmailed by a mafia boss, my mother had fallen in love with one, and every person in this town seemed to have some mafia connection. You couldn’t even trust the cops—half of them were on the payroll. Not to mention, I’d had a gun shoved in my face by a psychotic gangster, and my mother had let Joey kill for her.

This had to end.

And I would be the one to put a stop to it. Taking Joey out would make it all go away. We’d pack up and leave this mess behind—find somewhere far from the mafia. A place where we could finally start fresh. And just like Ma had kept her secrets, I wouldn’t tell her what I’d done. Some things were better left locked away.

ADRIANA

Joey pulled me in close, his arm wrapping around my waist, the smell of his expensive cologne clinging to my dress. “You ready?” he murmured, his lips brushing over my ear.

I looked up at him, at the grin playing on his lips. I laced my fingers with his and squeezed. “I’ve never been more ready.” The Wise Guy was alive. Smoke curling through the air, glasses clinking, and jazz buzzing. It was our world—our people. I belonged here.

“There they are! The newlyweds!” Angela called out from behind the bar.

Soon, I was being pulled into hugs, kisses pressed to my cheeks, and hands tugging me into a seat at her announcement. Joey sat beside me, his arm slung around my chair, his fingers tracing circles along my shoulder.

“You two look disgustingly in love,” Marco teased, raising his glass before taking a long sip of whiskey.

Joey smirked, pulling me against his side. “Jealousy is a disease with no cure, brother.”

“There’s nothing better than the single life,” Marco shotback. “But I’ll drink to the fact that you finally found a womancrazyenough to marry you.”

The table erupted into laughter.

“Don’t let Angela hear that.” Joey winked, clinking his glass against Marco’s.

Joey leaned in, his lips ghosting over my ear. “Dance with me, sweetheart.” He stood before I could say yes, his hand extending toward me. My hand slipped into his, and he led me to the dance floor. Joey pulled me close, his arms wrapped around my waist, and my fingers curled behind his neck. His forehead pressed against mine as we moved, his breath warm against my skin. His hands tightened around me. “There’s not a single thing in this world I want more than you, sweetheart. And you’re stuck with me now.”

I exhaled a soft laugh, brushing my fingers against the back of his neck. “Good, I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Joey’s grip on me tightened as he pulled me closer, his breath warm against my ear. “You know, I’ve never been so sure of anything in my entire life. You’re it for me, sweetheart.”

My heart skipped a beat as I gazed up at him, my fingers brushing against his cheek. “I feel the same way,” I whispered.

He smiled softly. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, and I don’t ever plan on finding out.”

I leaned in, my lips brushing against his, and whispered, “Good, because I wouldn’t let you.”

His chuckle rumbled against my chest, and he pulled me even closer, his lips curving into a mischievous smile. “Is that so? You think you can keep me locked down, sweetheart?”

I met his gaze, grinning. “Oh, I don’t just think it—I know it.”

He raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. “You could hold me hostage for the rest of my days, and I’d still say thank you.”

I laughed softly, my fingers tracing the edge of his collar. “Careful what you wish for,” I teased. “You might find yourself tied up in more ways than one.”

His grin softened, his hand brushing against the small of my back. “You've got a willing and eager prisoner.”

“I think I’m ready to leave,” I whispered in his ear.

His eyes softened, a dangerous smirk pulling at his lips. “Right now?”

“Yes,” I said. “Right now, Joey.” I pressed my lips against his. When we pulled apart, I smiled against his lips. “I’m dying to make love to myhusband,” I breathed, a playful grin tugging at my lips.

He chuckled low in his throat. “Then let’s get out of here.”

He took my hand, and we started for the door. Just as we reached the exit and the humid night air slapped our skin, the sudden screech of tires echoed in the street outside. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I turned my head, just in time to see an all-black car pulling up to the curb, its engine revving menacingly. It came to a halt, and a masked figure emerged from the passenger seat, holding a gun out of the window. I barely had time to react when the man raised his arm, aiming a gun directly at Joey.

“Joey!” I screamed, but the words barely left my lips before the sharp crack of a gunshot split the night in half. He collapsed against me, his weight pushing me backward as I tried to catch him. My hands shook as I pressed against the wound in his chest, the blood soaking through my fingers.

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