Page 23 of Beautiful Sinner

“What is it?”

“Viktor is planning an attack on Dante’s club tomorrow night. The one I went to. He’s… teaming up with Connor Barry.”

“Shit. Julia, why are you telling me this?”

“Because I couldn’t stay quiet if you were going to get hurt. But Matteo, my brother will be there. You have to promise you won’t try to kill him.”

“But what if he shoots at me?”

I don’t have an answer for that. “Do what you must. But don’t show up. Neither you or Dante. They plan on attacking. If neither of you are there, then no attack can happen and no one has to get hurt.”

“But if Viktor is there, then I can’t stay quiet on this information. Dante will want to know. If there’s any chance we have to take Viktor down…”

I suck in a breath and squeeze my eyes shut. “Please don’t kill my brother, Matteo. Please. I’m telling you about this plan because I don’t want you to die. Don’t use it against me by killing my brother.”

“Julia,” he says so softly, it’s like a caress over my ear. “I work for Dante. You know that.”

“I know but I’m putting myself out on the line for you.”

“Why?”

“I have no idea. I just am. Don’t go to the club tomorrow night. Neither you or Dante. Make up some excuse so he doesn’t go. He doesn’t need to know Viktor will be there. This way, no one has to get hurt.”

“You’re asking me to lie to my boss.”

“I’m asking you to spare lives. Your own included.”

He sighs. “I… I’ll have to think about it. I can’t promise anything. I’m sorry. We should end this conversation before someone finds out.”

“Is someone listening in?”

“No but you also never know. Thank you for the information.” He hangs up.

My hands shake so bad, my phone drops to the floor with a clatter. I just betrayed my brother by telling Matteo this. It could lead to my brother’s death. I know there’s no way I can convince Viktor to not go to the club tomorrow night.

So, I just have to put my trust in Matteo to not show up. I have to trust him to save my brother.

Matteo

Julia’s words ring in my ear all morning as Dante and I go over our incoming drug shipments. She wants me to convince Dante not to go to the nightclub tonight. I know he had plans to go to pick up the money for the week. It would be easy to go and kill Viktor. We know he’s coming. We can be ready for him.

All I have to do is tell Dante and it will happen. We can end this war tonight.

But the words don’t leave me.

“Matteo?” Dante asks, eyeing me over his desk. “Are you ok? You seem out of it.”

“I’m fine,” I say on autopilot.

“Are you? Because I need you on top of your game.”

“Of course.” I should tell him about Viktor’s plan. Just a week ago, I never would have hesitated. But now, since I’ve met Julia, I haven’t been able to get her off my mind. We’ve spoken four times now and already I feel like I know her more than I know anyone else, even though there’s still so much I want to learn about her. I’ve never been this fascinated by anyone in such a short amount of time.

I need to tell Dante but that will mean hurting Julia. But if I don’t tell Dante and he gets hurt, then that’s on me and I could never live with myself for it. Dante isn’t just my boss. He’s my friend.

I clear my throat. “Listen, why don’t I go pick up the money tonight?”

“I can go.”

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