Page 16 of Monster
Pausing, I took a sip of the still scorching black coffee in my mug. “It’s one night, Fang, she will be on her way today. I just can’t say no to a pretty face and a magic fucking mouth. And believe me, Angel...” I froze.
Fang and Hansel’s eyebrows shot up to their non-existent hairlines. “Angel?” Hansel queried softly.
Mentally, I punched myself in the face. What the hell was wrong with me? Why did I keep calling her that? “Angela, I meant Angela.”
“Do you like this woman, Monster?” There was a knowing look on Fang's face that I hated.
“No, she’s the biggest bitch I’ve ever met. I most definitely don’t like her.”
Maybe it was the way I said it but the two older men in front of me laughed. Great big belly laughs.
“Oh, he likes her.” Hansel elbowed Fang. “He just doesn’t want to admit that he does.” He side-eyed Fang. “I’ve seen that look on someone’s face before.”
I knew what look he was talking about because I had seen it myself, on Fang's face when Gypsy had first slammed into his life. Could it even be possible that I had the same kind of look on my face?
“She is fucking dynamite in the sack, that is all,” I finally gritted out. “And has a mouth that…”
“So you plan on keeping her around? Why is she here, Monster? And don’t tell me because she wants to go for round two with you. A girl that looks like that could have any man she wanted. Or were you too busy getting your dick sucked to bother asking?”
I had two choices, lie or tell the truth. I opted for the truth. “She wants to get married. Something about a trust fund and her needing to if she is to get her hands on it. I don’t know the details but for some reason, she thinks I would make great husband material.”
“And you’re going through with it?”
“No.” My words were sharp. I shrugged. “I don’t know. Doesn’t seem like a bad idea for the kind of money she is talking about. A year at most and then we go our separate ways.”
Fang studied me for a minute, his brow creased. He frowned. “Get dressed, Monster. Gio will be here any minute and he will want to hear your good news.”
“And why would this have anything to do with Gio?” I didn't like where this was heading. I didn't like it one bit. Doing one job for The Family was fine but I didn't want to be permanently in their pocket.
“Just get your clothes on and come and see, bring Angela as well. He wants to see both of you and will be here within the hour.”
* * *
“It’snice to meet you, Miss Monroe.” Gio’s well-manicured hands clutched Angela’s, his eyes sweeping down her body in a way that had me clenching my teeth. I didn't like the way he looked at her. For all his sophisticated charm, I didn't trust the new head of The Family. I didn't trust him at all. His smile reminded me of the way a snake would smile at a mouse before swallowing it whole. Angela was the kind of mouse Gio liked, I could see it in his eyes. Luckily enough for her, she had a bigger snake on her side - she had me.
“You as well, Mr...” She smiled a smile that could only be described as sweet. I had never seen that look on her face before. Where was the evil streak, the acid tongue? Where was my angel?
“Just Gio is fine.”
“You don't want me to know your name.” She giggled softly. I could see why so many people were fooled by her. She was a good actress. So good that she should probably be in movies or something. I would pay to see her in movies. Just not the kind suitable for the cinema. “You must know, Gio, that I could find out if I wanted to. I’m sure my daddy would tell me.”
Gio's face closed down as he motioned for us to sit. Fang was behind his desk watching us with his hawk-like eyes and saying nothing. “You could, of course, but we both know that you dislike your old man as much as we do.” Gio's blue eyes turned to me. “I hear that congratulations are in order.”
“What?” I stammered.
“Yes.” Angela's hand curled around mine, bringing it into her lap. Thank you.”
“And you are sure that this is what you want, Angela? Your father isn't going to be very happy about your choice, not when the man he has lined up for you is such an upstanding member of society.”
For a second, Angela looked perturbed. “You seem to be very well informed about the goings on within my private life, Gio.” Her tone was emotionless, gone was the good girl smile and butter wouldn't melt voice.
“It’s my job to know these things about my enemy, Miss Monroe.”
Tilting her head to the side, she studied him. There was no fear on her face or in her voice. “Am I your enemy?”
“I really hope not. I would like it very much if we were friends. And you marrying Monster would make us very good friends indeed.” Gio's voice was smooth.
“Because it would make my father furious?” Angela didn't give up. I had to give her that. She was face to face with the head of one of the most feared organisations in the world and she didn't even blink. Not to mention in a room full of killers.
