Page 41 of Lethal Vows

My sharp nails curl into my palms as I watch him leave. I’m unable to say anything because if I do, I’m going to fucking explode in front of all these people.

“Mr. Torrisi, we didn’t have a meeting scheduled for today,” I say with a tight smile. My attention is still on Crue, who is now flanked by two men.Where the fuck were they hiding?Dominic is one of them, and he looks over his shoulder to give me an apologetic grimace.

“We didn’t. I just wanted to go over some finer details for the court case since it’s coming to an end.” He too watches as Crue leaves. “I thought you said you didn’t know Mr. Monti.”

My sharp gaze meets his. “I’m not at liberty to discuss client matters.”

“He doesn’t look like a client.”

Frustrated, I open my door to let him in. “Of course he is,” I say cheerfully. “He’s a criminal with a fat bank account. My favorite type of client.”

CHAPTER22

Rya

I’m fuming the entire time I get ready. I’m half tempted to rock up in baggy pants and a hoodie just to seriously piss him off. And yet, I find myself in a tight-fitting red dress and my favorite pair of Louis Vuitton heels. I’m no doubt walking into a den of wolves tonight. More disturbingly, I’ll be sitting at the feet of the most dangerous one there.

The driver Crue sent for me pulls in front of what looks like a private restaurant. A bodyguard steps out of the passenger side and opens the door for me, immediately flanking me. I curse under my breath.He cannot be serious.This is precisely part of the reason why I left Italy in the first place. I was done with overprotective men in my life.

But I know it isn’t the bodyguard’s fault. He’s just the damn chump taking orders.

When I reach the entrance, he opens the door, and the hostess doesn’t bother asking for a name before she directs me where to go. When she pushes open the door, the music hits me first. It’s obnoxiously loud. People are everywhere, but it’s not overly packed. It’s a more upper-class nightclub, kind of like invitation-only style.

“Follow me, Miss Ricci.” She winds through a throng of people until we reach a set of stairs. She points up, and I follow her direction with my gaze. I spot Crue straight away, sitting with a few men around him as he leans forward, a cigar hanging from his lips. Acting as if he owns the place. Hell, he probably does. But it doesn’t make it any less unnerving as he watches every step I take. Even when I don’t look at him, I can feel his eyes burning through me. When I reach him, I chance a glance at him, only to find his dark molten brown eyes drinking me in.

He takes two steps to close the distance between us and leans in, his breath a hot flush against my ear. “You might draw too much attention tonight.”

I curve a smile that doesn’t reach my eyes. “You do that plenty on your own, asshole.”

His devilish smile creeps across his face as he blows smoke from his cigar to the side. “A perfect pair, then.”

I take a step back, unable to handle the close proximity of this man. I hate him so much, and yet my body yearns for his next touch. “Show me the evidence.”

“Not until you do as you’re told,” he bites back, then gestures to the men sitting around a table, casually snorting drugs, smoking cigars, and downing whisky.

“So this is her,” one of the men says, raising a glass and taking a drink.

Crue takes a seat at the head of the table as a woman comes over and offers me a glass of champagne. I take it, grateful for its bitter taste. It’s so fitting for the likes of the men I’m with. Looking back to Crue, I find him still watching me with that cigar between his lips.

To see what?

If I play nice with the others?

“Smoking is disgusting,” I tell him, lifting the glass to my lips again.

“Is it?” He takes another puff and rests his elbow on the table. “I wonder what you would taste like if I blew this up you.” He blows out another cloud of smoke, which lingers in the air as the lights shine through the haze. My thighs automatically clench together, and it doesn’t go unnoticed. It never does.

“Top two, for sure.” I wink at him, and he smirks and puts the cigar out, then taps his leg. I will not be sitting on his leg, thank you very much. I sit opposite him and notice his men watching us, but they stay quiet.

“Do you find something funny, Dawson?” Crue asks.

I turn around to find a man standing behind me. He’s dressed in a white suit but somehow he pulls it off. You would expect him to look stuck up, kind of a pretty boy even. Except he looks dangerous, not as lethal as Crue, but he has the same energy nonetheless.

“Not at all.” He offers a smile that most likely knocks any woman or man off their feet. Then he nods to me, and I can’t help but look Dawson up and down. He’s perfectly polished, which makes him perhaps one of the most dangerous men sitting in this room. At least with Crue you know he reeks of danger from a mile away. In comparison, Dawson seems more sophisticated.

“Rya.” My gaze snaps back to Crue, who is watching me intently. “I’d keep your eyes on me.” I offer a sickly-sweet smile as I lift the glass of champagne to my lips. “Dawson, meet my future wife.” I choke on my drink, my hand going to my chest.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Crue has told me a lot about you.” Dawson takes the empty chair beside me and holds out his hand. I cannot help but simply stare at it.

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