Page 34 of Angelo's Vengeance

The water had stilled. Even the city noise outside seemed to have hushed in respect for whatever was unraveling between us. Angelo’s hand moved from my hair to my cheek, wet and trembling, and I leaned into it despite myself.

"You scare the hell out of me," I admitted. "Not because you’re violent. Not even because you’re the most dangerous man I’ve ever known. But because… because of this thing we have to do. Neither of us has a choice anymore.”

"No," he said, voice raw. “We don’t, but I’m not sure I’m mad about it anymore,piccola.” His thumb brushed across my cheekbone. “Are you?”

I closed my eyes. "I don’t know." My feelings felt too big and jumbled for me to be more specific.

He let out a breath that sounded like it’dbeen trapped in his chest for years. "That’s honest, at least."

I opened my eyes to find him closer, kneeling at the edge, still with that wretched restraint in his body, like he didn’t trust himself not to burn us both alive if he moved.

And maybe that was what I wanted. Maybe I wanted to feel something other than pain and fear and the suffocating weight of obligations I never asked for.

"Angelo," I said, and it came out like a plea.

He leaned in, lips a breath from mine, his eyes locked on me. "Say it again."

"Angelo."

The kiss that followed was not gentle. It was reverent and ferocious, a claiming and a surrender, our mouths crashing together like we’d both been drowning and just found air. His hands cupped my jaw, careful not to touch my shoulder, but everything else was wild. His breath ragged against mine, the water lapping at the tub’s sides with every movement. My fingers anchored the back of his neck to me as if I couldn’t get enough.

I gasped when he pulled away.

"This isn’t done yet," he said, voice thick.

I blinked. "What?"

He stood, clearing his throat. "When you’re better. When you’re whole, I want you to choose it. Me. Not because you were forced into it, but because you want it."

Damn him. And damn me… because at that moment, I wasn’t sure I had ever wanted anything more, even if it terrified me.

Even if it meant letting him in.

Later, when I was ensconced in the sheets and clean, with my hair dried, I let my eyes drift shut, thinking hard about the circumstances that had brought me here. Angelo didn’t realize it, but underneath everything, I did want to choose him—every time. I just needed him to choose me first.

CHAPTER 21

ANGELO

New York wasdifferent when you were at war. It wasn’t the usual pulse of grease and exhaust and Wall Street sweat—this was something darker. Like gunpowder soaked into concrete. Like the stink of fear bleeding from rats who thought they could nip at my empire and scurry away without losing teeth.

I stood in the shadows ofFortuneafter checking in with our manager, Oscar, who filled me in on what I had missed while I’d been away chasing Renzetti all over the map. Thankfully, he was more than capable of running the place without me. He managed the soft launch and opening night without a hitch. It was meant to be exclusive anyway— more of a gentleman’s club, and I was proud of it.

Now, the VIP level had been cleared—no bottle girls, no hangers-on, just the men I trusted with my kingdom. We had a lot to review this morning, and it seemed essential to formulate a game plan. The idea that Renzetti and my mother were collaborating felt like a worm in my brain, gnawing at me from the inside out. There must be some fundamental reason she had resurfaced and gotten involved with this guy. I just needed to figure out why.

Maxim leaned against the bar, his black suit immaculate and his eyes as cold as the Siberian tundra. Ilias paced like a caged wolf, filled with restless energy and volcanic fury. Conall sat at the far end of the table with a tumbler of whiskey in his hand, his knuckles white around the glass. Scattered around the booths were the rest of our men. Although he was engaged in a card game with Lev and Remo, Bacco insisted on joining us. It had become a trend for the Commission to come together, with our men forming friendships. I appreciated this new facet because it fostered trust, leading to better coordination in our businesses.

Me? I was trying not to break my phone in half.

Theo had texted me earlier. One word:

Theo: bored

Bored. After everything. After almost bleeding out in my arms. After being in the hospital for a week. Being kidnapped. After being almost trafficked.

Me: Text Frankie

Theo: Already did. Bring me something fun.

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