Page 4 of Surprise Twins for the Mafia Prince
“I don’t like it, either.” My blood boils at the thought. “Those fuckers think they can gain power and influence inourcity. I’m not going to let that happen.”
But I need proof of their blackmail to stop them. “But that means I have to track down a woman that I know nothing about.”
So much rides on this.
I was supposed to get this information so we could use it against our enemies. It was my responsibility, and I blew it.
I focus on my frustration because I don’t want to deal with the disappointment I have in myself.
That dark pit of doubt that’s always waiting to swallow me whole, the one I’ve been running from since I was ten and my father first looked at me like I wasn’t enough.
Luca looks around the room, shaking his head. “Don’t you know I’m supposed to be the family fuck up? You’re stealing my brand, man.”
He’s trying to make a joke of it, but I hate it when he says shit like that. Hate the way he diminishes himself. Sometimes I wonder if he says it first so no one else beats him to it.
“Knock it off,” I grumble. “I’m not in the mood for jokes, Luca.” My voice drops lower, a promise of violence. “And if anyone says that to your face, you tell me. I’m always willing to break a few fingers if it teaches a lesson.”
Luca chuckles. “You’ve always been willing to fight my battles. But I’m a grown-ass man, D. Now, walk me through what else happened. After a week of being undercover in Kozlov’s building, you finally got the information you were looking for.Then, what happened? Why are you staying in a hotel when you have a nice ass apartment five miles from here?”
“I had to be sure that my theft wasn’t detected. I figured if I was followed to my apartment, it wouldn’t be difficult for Kozlov to figure out I’m an Andretti.”
“The Pakhan does have the resources for it.”
“I didn’t want the Bratva to discover who I am before I can use the contents of the flash drive against them. So, a hotel seemed like a good idea.” I rub the back of my neck, tension knotted in every muscle. “After checking in, I went out to Empire down the street.” Empire is a nightclub nearby that makes strong drinks and always has live music. “I wanted to see if anyone was following me.”
“And?”
“No tail, but I decided to have a drink. That’s when I met her.”
Paige was a vision in a black dress with a plunging neckline that made my mouth water. I couldn’t take my eyes off her long legs, and I knew immediately that I’d be bringing her back to my hotel room. I had to get my hands on those curves, had to know what it felt like to grip her silky black hair in my fist.
It was exactly as good as I thought it would be. She was a wildcat in bed, all fire and need and shameless hunger that matched my own. The way she arched beneath me, the sounds she made when I pushed inside her—Christ, I’m getting hard just thinking about it.
But it sure as hell wasn’t worth it.
“She left this morning before I woke up,” I continue, trying to ignore the phantom sensation of her skin against mine. “And the cup was gone.”
“Wow,” Luca laughs lightly. “You were a bit of a dumbass.”
Burning humiliation makes my fists clench as I glare at the spot on the kitchen counter where I left the cup. I was duped. Used. The realization stings more than it should, lashing at that part of me I keep buried deep.
“Fuck off,” I snap at my brother. “I made a mistake, okay?”
But it’s not okay. This was an important job, and I fucked up. I let myself get distracted by a pretty face and a tight body—stupid, careless. And now, this woman has something that could destroy everything I’m working to build.
“What do you know about her?”
I know what her face looks like when she comes. I know the taste of her skin and the curve of her hips under my hands. I know the way she said my name like a prayer when I was inside her.
“Her name is Paige.”
Luca waits a moment for me to say more, but that’s all I’ve got. He lets out a low whistle.
“Lucky for you, impossible women are kinda my specialty. And it might help that we own this hotel. I’ll pull video footage from the hallway and lobby.”
Dad always says Luca’s good at making messes, not fixing them. But he’s sharp when he wants to be. And right now, I need sharp.
“Good,” I tell him. “Find out who she is, and I’ll take it from there.” My voice drops to a dangerous whisper. “If she’s working for the Bratva, I’ll make her pay.”
