Page 8 of Angelo's Vengeance

Maxim finally spoke up. "You two knew this was coming. We all did. The blood oath binds us. If you don’t take care of it, someone else will try to muscle in. At the heart of these things they are business arrangements. We might not like how that sounds, but …” he shrugged.

He wasn’t wrong, but I ground my teeth. "It’s my decision. My business. I’ve told you all that before.IfI marry, I’ll do it in my own time.”

They glared at me. We had gone over this more than once in the last year and a half, going round and round in circles until our voices were raised. My father might have forced my hand, but I wasn’t eleven anymore. They claimed it was about honor, but I wasn’t so sure I was ready to buy that line of bullshit. When they said it might affect our business, that meant a bit more to me, but I had yet to see anyone mention it, and I wasn’t sure that would sway me. Maxim, Conall, and Ilias were just as much my brothers as Remo, and I would never intentionally hurt them. Sure, I was supposed to marry into the Anthakos family, but it didn’t saywhen. Theo didn’t want me. She was off doing her thing anyway.

"Your business might be turning into everyone’s business," Conall said, calm but firm. "It’s time to decide, Angelo. Either you claim Theo, or you risk someone else thinking they can. She’s running around in Europe right now unguarded. At least to my knowledge.” He arched a brow at Ilias.

Last year, when we’d drawn names, andthe Anthakos name had unfurled on the slip, something hot and forbidden had slid through me. Theodosia had become a beautiful woman, but more importantly, she was interesting and loyal to the bone. That would be important to me.

If.

Still, just because I wasn’t going to marry her didn’t mean anyone else could.

My hands clenched, and the idea of anyone laying a fucking finger on her made my vision go red. Ilias was just as tense, his jaw working as he stared at his drink. The room was heavy with expectation.

“She’s not unprotected. She might think she is, but they’re nearby. My sister can roam Europe as much as she wants. My intended,” he said with derision, “I suppose I need to look into that. Your point is taken.”

“Nobody is going to touch Theo,” I said, my voice like steel.

Maxim pointed at Ilias. “You and I will have words if you disrespect my sister.”

Ilias shrugged at Maxim’s threat, his face impassive. I was somewhat surprised by the mention of the elusive Galena Volkova, the illegitimate and mysterious offspring ofAlexei Volkov. Ilias felt similarly to me regarding the blood oath. It hadn’t been our choice, so we weren’t in any rush for the yoke of marriage and all it came with, regardless of how fast our friends had fallen into their matches.

Just as things were about to get serious, I saw Cora stomping across the club floor in her trademark rain boots and torn jeans. I couldn’t see her t-shirt yet, but I’d bet a hundred dollars there was a zombie movie saying on it.

“Uh oh.” Conall had obviously spotted his sister because he was passing Vasily off like a game of hot potato. “Here you go.” He dumped the baby back into Maxim’s arms. “Good luck.”

“Maxim Volkov, give me my baby!” Cora rounded the landing of the stairs, with Lev and Kolya following her, grins spreading across their faces as if they couldn’t wait for the show.

“Zayka, look,” Maxim started. She stomped over and peered at Vasily, who was still fast asleep despite being transferred again to his father’s arms and all the noise. “He’s fine. I had to go to a meeting. Didn’t I?” Helooked to us for support. “I’m working. Aren’t I?”

“We didn’t need him,” I shrugged. “Maxim came uninvited. He should have stayed at the townhouse, Cora,” I said with a grin. “Sorry,fratello.”

“He should have listened.” Conall shook his head as if disgusted with Maxim. “Vasily is too tiny to be out in places like this. He could get sick. It’s not suitable for babies.” He wrinkled his nose at me.

I would have laughed at the expression on Maxim’s face, but that would have drawn Cora’s attention directly to me, and even I wasn’t that stupid. Or that good of a friend.

“Alrighty. We’ll see you later.” Conall brushed a kiss over his sister’s cheek. “Maxim, I hope you show better judgment next time. Come on, Ilias, I’ll walk you to your car.”

It seemed like a good time to abandon ship, so I figured I’d check out one of my construction offices and ensure everything was in order. Laundering money was a full-time gig. I chuckled to myself, leaving Maxim to get torn a new asshole for taking the baby from the house. He just couldn’t help himself. No way I’d ever be that crazy.

CHAPTER 5

THEODOSIA

THEODOSIA - PRESENT - 29

I twirled a measuringtape around my fingers as I strutted through my so-called atelier—if you could even call it that. It was more of an underground fashion den, a vibrant, chaotic blend of neon lights, mismatched furniture, and racks of daring one-of-a-kind designs. A year ago, I’d arrived in Europe on a whim, chasing a dream I wasn’t entirely sure was mine. Now, I thrived among the misfits, dressing the rule-breakers who thrived outside the mainstream.

My ever-exasperated but devoted assistant, Vivienne, appeared in the doorway, arms crossed. “You’ve got a message, Theo.”

Mid-spin with a glittery swatch of fabric that I was considering for a lemon yellow topwith puff sleeves, I raised a brow. “Ooh, is it a love letter? Finally, someone appreciates me.”

Vivienne smirked. “Probably more like a threat, but sure, let’s call it romance if you want.”

Vivienne had been my steadfast friend here in Italy, ensuring that I wasn’t lonely in my pursuit of fashion domination. We bonded in Milan during fashion week in what I would describe as one of my more interesting adventures. There was a perfect opportunity to catch a glimpse backstage at the Chanel show, and I couldn’t resist. How was I to know that they’d mistake me for one of the models? I was curvy, to say the least, and busty, but the stylist had insisted. To say that one of the models took offense is an understatement. Chaos ensued. Hijinks unfolded, and security was called, but they were slow to respond. In the end, it was more than a little comical, and Vivienne, who was working as a stylist, played an instrumental role in my escape. Later, we met up and shared a good laugh about it. Good times. She decided that we were destined for great things, and we’ve been together ever since.

She tossed a sleek white envelope onto theworktable. I plucked it up with dramatic flair, tearing it open. My playful expression faltered as I read the single line inside.

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