Page 112 of Thorns of Death
I paused for a moment as I tried to remember, then shook my head. So much had happened since that night. “Hmmm.” I thought back to those few words I heard her utter back in the club. “Sofia. I don’t think she’s Russian. She barked orders in English, even though she was in a Russian club.”
“Cazzo, I hope it’s not her.” It was Enrico who spoke.
“Who?” When Enrico remained quiet, I glared at him, anger boiling in my blood. “You better not start this shit again, Enrico,” I warned, my voice quiet. “Or there’ll be hell to pay.”
He held my gaze, his teeth grinding.
“I’m going to chase the lead,” Kian called, cutting off our staring contest. “You two work this shit out. But I agree with my niece. It’s better she’s aware of the danger than blind to it.”
Fucking finally! The first man who didn’t act like women were incapable of taking care of themselves. He took off on a run, his eyes darting to two blond men in the distance and—holy shit. They had to be Greek gods. Holy macaroni!
Acting on instinct, I reached for my phone and was about to snap a picture of them to send to my girlfriends when Enrico stopped me.
“What are you doing?”
I blinked. “Taking a picture?”
His brows scrunched as he glanced around. “Of what?”
I smiled sheepishly. “Those two hotties.” A growl vibrated around me and I felt it in my bones. “It’s for my girlfriends.”
“Not a troublemaker, huh?” Manuel drawled, tilting his chin to the car. “You two get in before I have to shove you in.”
“Well, just because I’m married, doesn’t mean I’m blind,” I muttered under my breath as I slid into the seat next to Amadeo. “Besides, you’re acting all macho and refusing to keep my brain busy.”
Enrico took a seat next to me, his muscular thigh resting against mine, causing my libido to instantly respond. As if he knew the effect he had on me, his mouth hitched, stealing my breath from my lungs. God, I was a wanton, greedy woman when it came to my husband.
At least he’s mine, I thought.Mine. The word slammed into me like a freight train. I realized suddenly that I had chosen Enrico and wanted to keep him as mine forever.You’ve fallen for the man, I thought, feeling my heart expand in size.
Good Lord. I had fallen in love with my husband. How did that happen?
“Sofia Volkov,” Enrico deadpanned, refusing to acknowledge my earlier statement while I struggled with the idea that I had fallen in love. “She believes herself to be the Pakhan.Pazzadoesn’t even come close to describing Sofia Volkov’s brand of crazy.”
The Greek gods forgotten and my love placed on hold, I tilted my head, considering his words. “That’s her, then.” I took my husband’s hand. “It’s the same woman from the club.”
His eyebrows rose. “The same club from where you sent that video, shaking your ass and singing those foul lyrics?”
I grinned. “Yes, but Phoenix sent it. She had my phone.”
“Can we see the video, Papà?” Amadeo asked.
I snickered softly. “In your dreams, buddy. You’re underage.”
“Oh, now we have to see it,” Enzo drawled, his eyes shining with a challenge. He reminded me so much of my husband at that moment. He might not be their biological father, but there was no mistaking they were his sons.
Enrico ignored them both, his attention on me. “Why are you so sure it was her?”
I let out an exasperated breath. “Because someone called her Sofia and then Pakhan a few moments later.” He reached for his phone and started typing. Quick. Efficient. With a look that promised retribution and swift execution. “What are you doing?”
“That’s Papà’s pissed-off face,” Enzo explained.
“Well, that’s good to know. I shall take note.”
Enrico raised his head and pinned his dark gaze on me. “Do you know how dangerous that woman is?” he hissed, the vein in his throat pulsing. “She could have taken you. Hurt you.” Enrico’s voice cracked, and regret instantly washed over me.
I grabbed his hand. “We escaped her. I didn’t know who she was. I wouldn’t have even spared her a second glance if I hadn’t seen—” I swallowed, flicking a glance to the boys. “I don’t think she knows who I am.”
“We’ll talk later.”
