Page 86 of Sins of Bliss

“You fucking know why,” he seethes, raking his hand through his hair as he paces in front of me.

Instinctually, I pull against the ropes to check their strength, and feel a tinge of defeat when they don’t budge.

“You killed Ross,” I press, even though I know I shouldn’t. I’m in danger—he’s proven that, but still, my heart is cracking in two for the man in front of me. My brother, who isn’t even a shell of himself at this point. Whispering, I ask, “How could you kill him, Joey?”

“DON’T FUCKING CALL ME JOEY!” he screams, moving at me so quickly I flinch and slam my eyes shut, reading myself for the blow.

But it doesn’t come.

When I open my eyes, he’s squatting down in front of me, his eyes cold and vacant. “This will go one of two ways, baby sister. Either you’re leaving here alive and your precioushusbandwill be dead, or vice versa. Either way, someone is going to pay for August’s death. A Lucchetti did this, and I intend on gettingretribution in the form of an eye for an eye. Sucks that you share the last name now. It might be your blood that runs,sis.”

“You wouldn’t,” I cry through a strangled breath.

“Oh, I would,” he remarks, then gives me his back and walks away, his boisterous laugh echoing mechanically off the walls of the empty warehouse.

Chapter 29

Sly

It’s four o’clock by the time I finish tidying the apartment and preparing for our guests this evening, when I realize Vinnie hasn’t arrived yet.

Walking into our bedroom, I pick up my phone from the nightstand and check it, seeing no missed calls or messages from anyone. It’s not unusual for Vinnie to work later than she initially predicts, but it is strange that she hasn’t updated me.

Perhaps a meeting ran late.

When the doorbell rings just a few moments later, I stalk over to answer it, annoyance peppering my bloodstream.

“Hey,” Sully says as he waltzes past me, entering my home with a bottle of champagne in one hand and a bouquet of roses and hydrangeas in the other.

“You’re entirely too early.”

He shrugs. “Figured you could use some help. Put me in, coach.”

“Shouldn’t you be at work?”

“Work is overrated.” He grins. “Plus, it’s a Friday afternoon and I’m not needed. So I left.” He takes it upon himself to move into my kitchen, setting the champagne down and pulling opena cabinet to find a vase. “The house seems quiet. No, Vinnie or Nixon?”

“Not yet.” I run my fingers over my brows. “Actually, Vinnie is late. I was about to call her.”

Clicking her contact, I bring my phone to my ear and listen to the continuous ring until it goes to her voicemail.

The gurgle of my espresso machine turning on echoes through the kitchen as I flip my phone to the side to turn it off silent then set it down.

“Coffee?” Sully asks, making himself at home by pulling out a mug for himself.

“No.”

There’s a tingle at the base of my neck, like the hairs are standing on edge. Worry plagues me since Vincenza didn’t answer her phone. Picking mine up again, I debate on calling her office, while wondering if I’m overreacting.

It’s only thirty minutes past when she said she’d be home.

Staring at the darkened screen, I waver between whether I should bother her just to ease my mind, or give her more time.

Ultimately, I decided to wait a little longer before trying to reach her at work. It is entirely possible that she entered into a meeting, and it’s just gone over.

Turning my attention back to Sully, I find him watching me as I silently stew.

“No answer?” he asks curiously.

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