Page 6 of Bound in Vengeance
Valerio is right about one thing. I don’t like Massimo. He’s a haughty, scheming, power-hungry geezer who looks down his nose at others.
He doesn’t know I know this, but when I first came to America, he wanted nothing to do with me. I still remember the look onhis face during those early meetings with the other families. Like I was some feral dog dragged in from the streets.
But now that I’ve fought my way to the top and carved my throne with the carcass of my enemies, he’s willing to hand over his daughter. I’d be eating out of his skull for lunch if I didn’t need him, too.
The guard stops in front of me just as Valerio reaches my side.
“Mr. Gallo,” he says respectfully.
I adjust the cuffs of my black coat once. “I’m here to see Mr. Caruso.”
The guard hesitates only briefly before nodding.
“Of course.”
We’re ushered into the foyer moments later. It’s a huge space, and it reminds me of the mansion last night. The memory makes my jaw tighten.
Long, silky dark brown hair that made my cock hard. Warm, hazel eyes. Smart mouth that made mewantin a way I’ve never wanted before. Interesting woman. Terrible liar.
And gone before I could figure out who the hell she actually was.
The thought irritates me more than it should.
“Wait here, sir,” the guard says. “I’ll tell Mr. Caruso you’re waiting.” He disappears upstairs.
Valerio glances at me once the guard is out of hearing range.
“You think the old man’s going to fight you on this?”
“He won’t. As long as I marry his daughter, the date makes no difference to him.”
But it makes all the difference to me. I need to act. Now.
Luca believes the leadership belongs to him, not me. To my annoyance, he’s moving faster than expected. Pushing harder with the elders. Making promises to men who already resent me for coming back from Italy and taking control of the family. The Kuznetsov negotiations help, but they aren’t enough on their own. I need the Caruso alliance secured immediately before Luca creates bigger problems.
Movement in the stairway catches our attention.
Massimo is standing at the top of the it in a black suit, holding a walking cane embellished with the Caruso crest. His beady black eyes glint at me. He’s probably annoyed that I came unannounced. I don’t care. If he’s waiting for an apology, he won’t be getting one.
Behind him, three women appear.
His daughters.
Camilla is the one I recognize first. My future wife. Pretty. Soft. She doesn’t hold my attention, which I absolutely prefer. I want a wife, not a distraction.
I let my gaze drift to the lady beside her. Probably the youngest Caruso. Small, delicate features, youthful. She’s clinging to the third one in the group.
When I look at the third, she’s already glaring at me. There’s fire in this one, and it sends blood straight to my cock.
Fuck.
I slowly take her in.
Dark hair pulled back in a neat bun. Olive skin that catches the light. Slender frame, feminine curves that’ll make any man hard as granite.
Am I a bastard for staring at my future sister-in-law? Maybe. But I’ve never claimed to be a good man.
I catch her gaze again. This time, I’m tempted to smirk.
