Page 59 of Hostile Bond
A countdown begins in my mind.
“Okay, Sean.” I push out from under the table and stand. My legs need to move and my temper is already stretched beyond reason. “And what if I don’t want to be part of it? What then?”
He stands too, matching my height. “Then I’ll need satisfactory compensation.”
I take off my sunglasses and stare into his Hennessy green eyes. “And what did you have in mind?”
As if I don’t fucking know.
“The little viper you’re married to is a Sicilian mafia queen. What a bonus. Not every woman has those superior credentials.”
“Little viper?” I growl, not intending to give away my annoyance.
“It’s an inside joke,” he deadpans. “So, you can either agree to let me expand my business in Miami without interference… or I’ll take her instead and head up the mafia over there.”
Sinéad’s head whips around and our gazes clash. Her fierceness reaches right through me, our combined energy more fulfilling than any empty fuck. For a nanosecond, the murderous shadow in my soul unravels as we stare at each other.
A spike of recognition and a flash of desire lances my heart. Love is a feeling, but this is something far more profound. It surpasses emotions, resides within the nuclei of every skin cell, energizes my veins, and imprints into my being. The potency of it leaves no doubt that she is mine.
“You know I’m married to her,” I announce matter-of-factly.
“Dré, we both know you could find another little viper to replace her tomorrow.” He barks dismissively. “You can’t expect to blow up my business and not pay the price, nephew. Elias was open-minded about diversification. If you don’t want to give up Sicily, then call off the raids and get on board with human trafficking. I’ll bring you in on it with me. We’re family, Dré.”
This has nothing to do with Sicily.
It was never about that.
I’d still claim her as mine, even if she was penniless and insignificant to the world.
Once upon a time, I had viewed women as just tits and ass––a way to let loose and have fun. Feelings and commitment had nothing to do with it. I’d snort cocaine, drink until I forgot about the blood on my hands, and enjoy the temporary rush that came with fucking.
That's all changed.
She could continue to run from me, and I would always chase her—without a second thought—because the stunningbellezalooking up at me with so much hope in her turquoise eyes belongs solely to me. Now and forever. Till death do us part.
An unnatural urgency charges my muscles. I want to wrap my hands around her throat while I’m pumping my cum into her cunt.
Fuck!
Focus.
“I’m not handing over the Sapori empire.” I stalk away from the table, putting painful distance between us, knowing Sean will follow. It's a necessary requirement to remove her from his close proximity.
“Then you’ll stop burning down the stash houses?” Sean’s boots thud as he moves closer to the bar. “You’ll come on board? We could be partners. No one else needs to know, not even Tommy.”
I move behind the bar and select a bottle of tequila from a dusty shelf. “How about a round of shots to celebrate, gentlemen?”
Casually, I line up a row of small glasses on a rubber bar mat and start to pour, overfilling each one so the clear liquor spills.
“Where’s your mother?” My lashes flick up and my eyes lock with Sinéad’s glare.
“I’ve already told you, Dré…” Sean sighs, picking up a shot glass. “The wom—”
I hold my hand up to silence him. “I asked my wife, Sean. She can speak for herself.”
Sinéad clears her throat to find her voice and splays her fingers on the table, her posture rigid. Pretty black lashes blink as she gathers the words. Her suffering hits me like a sucker-punch, knocking the wind from my lungs. Our silent standoff doesn’t last long when she croaks, “S-she’s dead.”
Her grief settles at my feet like fluttery ashes. I struggle to keep my head above water, barely able to contain the demonic impulses firing in my brain. My stomach churns, but I don’t reveal a single wisp of emotion.
