Page 158 of Sins of a King
I almost rolled my eyes but held it in check. “We’re not here to discuss my marriage.”
“We’re not,” he agreed.
“Have you heard?” I asked.
“Heard what?”
“Someone killed Dolinsky.”
Marino, bull that he was, wasn’t able to conceal his shock and disbelief. “I haven’t heard anything like that—”
“Well, of course you wouldn’t. It was cleaned up. Quietly.”
Marino peered at me. “You know who killed him.”
I shrugged. “It’s not important.”
“Not important?” Marino nearly hissed. “The head of the Russian mob is dead and you don’t think who killed him is important? Was it one of his own men?”
I ignored his question when I asked, “Have you heard of Sasha Petrovich, the former right-hand man to Dolinsky?”
“Former?”
“He’s taken over the Russian mob.”
Marino scoffed. “I’ll believe that when I see it.”
I held my grin in check as I reached for my cell phone on the bar. Pressing speed dial number two, I waited a brief moment and then spoke to Sasha.
“He’ll be along in just a moment,” I said to Marino, whose mouth was agape.
“First you married Campbell and now you have a Russian mob boss on speed dial?” Marino’s eyes gleamed with desire as he leaned forward, his hand reaching out to touch my cheek. “I’m impressed.”
I slapped him across his face, my palm stinging from the force.
“Be careful,” he warned, voice low and full of rage.
“I’m not here for that. Sasha and Flynn have an alliance and Sasha would like to discuss something with you.”
I looked at the entrance of the hotel bar to see Sasha strolling toward us, dressed in an elegant suit that concealed the weapons beneath. He shot me a smile, and his boyish face and bright blue eyes lit up. I hugged him to me. “Sasha Petrovich, Giovanni Marino. I’ll leave you gentleman to it.”
Hopping off the stool, I lifted my glass of expensive vodka and threw it back in one long swallow.
With a smile at Marino I said, “This is no place for a woman.”
I stalked from the hotel, the plan set in motion.
Chapter 51
“You’re really okay?” my best friend asked with a hug.
“Yes,” I rubbed her back in a gesture of comfort, even though I wasn’t okay. Not even close.
“You just disappeared. If Flynn hadn’t told me…” Ash pulled back and looked me over, taking stock of the changes. Were they visible like scars?
“Flynn told you? That I was with…”
She nodded. “It’s not like he could’ve said you were visiting your nonexistent family. And you were gone six weeks… God, I’ve been so worried.” Her gaze dropped to my broken finger and she gasped. “What happened?”
