Page 18 of Tarnished Vow

Looking through the glass windows, I paused. Madeline. Why would she be here? Oh. That’s why. Noah Voss.

“Rome, sip it, sugar helps with shock.” Nik said.

Slowly chewing my food, watching the wannabe drug lord, whispering something in her ear. His arm around her back.

“I heard Voss is having problems with his supplier.” Nik followed my line of sight. “We wouldn’t have anything to do with that, would we?”

“Last time I checked, we don’t deal with middlemen.”

Noah kissed her on the side of her head before walking away. Watching as he passed the bar. I stood up. “I’ll be back.”

“I’ve got a bad feeling about this,” Bastion muttered.

The house was empty; my life was empty. Every time I stepped into my wardrobe, all I felt was anger.

Sure, technically she still lived with her parents, but really, she lived with me. Where she belonged until her fucking family ripped her from me. The hate I had for them was doubling daily.

She looked up, shocked to see me. “Vince, what are you doing here?”

“No idea. My brothers organized dinner here.” I glanced back at them, only to focus on her.

Fuck. I’d missed her. Sliding into the booth next to her. Leaving my arm behind her.

“New earrings?” I gently touched her ear, moving her hair back.

She nodded.

Turning towards her, I touched her knee. “New dress?”

“Vinny,” she covered my hand with hers. “Are you okay?”

Just her touching my hand calmed me.

Frowning, she turned into me, her hand going to my cheek. “Have you been sleeping?”

Hard to sleep when I’m glaring at the ceiling every night angry.

A throat clearing caused my mood to change instantly. Turning to look at him. The way he glared at my arm behind her pissed me off. I didn’t have the self-control for this tonight.

Did he think he owned her? Leaning back, not taking my arm away.

“You’re in my seat, Crow.”

“Your seat? That doesn’t sound right.” Tapping my finger on the back of the booth “Pretty sure it’s my last name on the door.” Dropping my arm behind Madeline. “So that would make it my seat.”

He grinned. “Right, I actually wanted to have a word with you, anyway.” He sat across from us in the booth. “I lost three suppliers in a week; you wouldn’t have anything to do with that, would you?”

“No. Middlemen are a bit below me in the food chain.”

He tapped the table. “Sure.” His lips twitched, as if amused by my answer. Before he focused on Madeline. “Let’s go.”

Let’s go.

Who did he think he was ordering her around?

I grabbed her knee under the table. I didn’t want her to go. But I sure as fuck wanted him to. Permanently even.

“Vinny, move, please.” She pushed my hand off, giving me a warning look.

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