Page 57 of Bound in Debt

“When do you need the Mathers job done?”

Angelo frowns as I refuse to take the bait and pass him a pretty little twenty-year-old like I was tossing him a beer. He leans back in his chair and sighs. “By the end of next week. You’ll take some of my men with you, for transparency’s sake.”

I nod, but he isn’t finished.

“The offer for the girl expires in forty-eight hours. You can choose not to give her to me, but I’ll take her off your hands without deducting a thing the moment you fall behind on your payments.”

“Sounds like you’re trying to have your cake and still eat it, Lombardi.”

He smirks at me and it takes everything in me not to leap across the table and wipe it off his fucking face. “I don’t have my money yet.”

There’s no universe where Angelo Lombardi outlives me.

First, he took my brother from me. Then he gave me Marco’s debt. Now the weasel is trying to find a way to steal Victoria.

I’m far from amused and a long way towards exhausted.

But Angelo is allowing me access to his circle, which means he’s just signed his own death certificate.

I don’t care that my brother got himself into this shit, Angelo Lombardi took my only family. The realization hits me hard and I nearly double over. Why does it hurt more to think about it now than it did when I first got the call about the wreck?

I guess I’ve been so miserable between starting at Thronewood, dealing with Marissa, and pointedly not grieving my brother, that it’s been easy to ignore. But the grief takes on a weight and shape that’s undeniable now.

This motherfucker killed my brother.

The last piece of my family.

And it’s going to cost him his organization and his life. I will destroy everything the Lombardi name stands for.

“Do you have any questions, Mr. Moretti?”

I take a breath, giving myself a moment to fold my grief back into its box. I feel a cold certainty wash over me, the same steely resolve that kept me moving forward as the Giordanos’ most feared enforcer. I can do this. I can be Angelo’s obedient bitch until he forgets how dangerous I can be. It won’t take long for the arrogant fool to slip up.

The same skillset he values so highly will be his undoing.

I will watch and study him, see what his men think of him, and gather every bit of intel I can in the meantime.

“We’ll be in touch,” I reply before pivoting and making my exit.

Plans have changed, princess.

19

VICTORIA

Wednesday, September 11, 6:00 PM

“Damn it, Liam, you scared me!” I put a hand on my chest, right where my racing heart is violently beating against it.

“Sorry, baby.” He pulls out a chair and joins me at the small library table. “Whatcha doing?”

“Studying. I have a report on—” Liam leans forward, resting his elbow along the table and erasing every bit of distance between us.

“What the hell were you talking to Chase Gladden for?” he snarls.

I feel the blood rush from my face, followed by a wave of nausea. The library seems to tilt and I know there’s no hiding my reaction. Still, I have to try.

“What do you mean?” I counter, trying to act like it’s no big deal that Liam knows I called Chase.