Page 49 of Beautiful Sinner

“Or he just thought we’d ever go after him.”

Connor manages to punch the guard in the face and run past him down the stairs.

“Stop him,” Dante tells me and I run after Connor to the back door. He makes it outside before I can grab the back of his jacket.

“Stop,” I growl, shoving him to the ground. He rolls onto his back and stares up at me. I take out my gun, ready to kill him.

“So, this is it, isn’t it, Matteo? You think you can steal my girl?”

“I’m going to kill you because you’re working with Viktor. No other reason.”

“No other reason, huh?”

Dante barges through the back door. “Good. You have him. Kill him.”

“Don’t I get any final last words?” Connor asks.

“No,” I growl.

“What about Julia?” He flicks his eyes to Dante. “Do you know that your man here likes her?”

Dante freezes. “What is he talking about, Matteo?”

“Nothing. He’s just trying to get under your skin. He needs to die.”

Dante holds up his hand. “He could have information for us that we could use against Viktor.” He crouches down next to Connor. “We’ll let you live if you tell us what Viktor’s next plan is. I know he came here to my club. I was fortunate not to be there that night. Or unfortunate depending on how you want to look a it. So, tell me, Connor, what is Viktor planning?”

“To become the most powerful man in New York.”

“And he wants you to marry his sister? That’s why you were on a date with her.”

“Yes. Because there’s no way else to be close to Julia. Viktor guards her like a hawk.” He sets his eyes onto me. “Or does he, Matteo?”

Dante huffs. “What the fuck is he talking about?”

“Nothing,” I snap. “He’s just trying to be an asshole.”

“What is Viktor planning?” Dante asks Connor, grabbing his shirt and pulling him close to his face. “Tell me.”

“You’re just going to kill me anyway.”

“We can make it slow or fast. Your choice.”

“I prefer slow.” And in one quick motion, Connor whips a knife out of his pocket and jams it towards Dante’s face. Dante only manages to not get hit by jerking back at the last second. In myshock, I hesitate and that gives Connor the chance to stand up and run away. I shoot at him but my bullets miss.

“Go!” Dante shouts at me and I take off running after Connor.

He’s down the street by the time I turn the corner. I use all my strength and speed to try and reach him but it’s fucking pointless. I can’t reach him.

He gets into a car and takes off down the street.

Damn it! How the fuck did Connor elude our clutches? I’m off my game and I know it’s because of Julia.

I go back to Dante, who’s still on his knees, breathing heavy. “You ok?”

“Did you kill him?”

“No. He escaped. I’m sorry.”