Page 53

"But of course." I grin at her, "You know I love my oxymorons."

"Hmm." She narrows her eyes at me, leaning into me slowly until I can feel her breath on my cheek, "Maybe because you're one yourself," she notes, her voice husky and seductive and fuck if it doesn't drive me crazy.

Marcello suddenly coughs, curiously looking between the two of us.

"I believe we were discussing something," he interjects, almost amused.

I'm starting to realize how dangerous it is having Sisi with me at times like this. Not only am I unable to concentrate, but it only takes one word from her for me to lose myself in her voice.

Definitely not conducive to business.

"I have a contingency plan in place, should Guerra decide he wants some type of retribution," I add flippantly. "But the important thing now is to figure out how Sacre Coeur is involved with Miles, and find out what Mother Superior knows."

"I'm not surprised to hear Sacre Coeur would be involved in this," Catalina notes. "Not with all the abuse going on in that place."

Sisi nods, her brows pinched together, and I can only imagine the memories she's reliving.

"We should go in and interrogate Mother Superior." Sisi's face suddenly lights up as the idea pops into her head. "We can go undercover," she adds excitedly.

My lips curve up as I promptly agree, already thinking of the same thing.

"You might be able to get away with that." Marcello nods at Sisi, "But him?" He snorts, "Unless you plan to dress him up as a nun too. Tell me, Lina, did they have any ex-con nuns at Sacre Coeur?"

Catalina can barely hold in her smile as she shakes her head.

"Come on, 'Cello!" I groan, half-amused, half-surprised that Marcello would still have a sense of humor. I'd have thought it all gone by now. "I'd make a wonderful nun. Why, I even know a prayer." A devious smile curves up my lips.

Everyone is looking at me expectantly.

"Really?" he drawls, a cynical expression on his face.

"But of course. Sisi's been a great teacher," I start and I see her eyes widen as she realizes what type of prayer I know. "I know all about the great coming," I blurt out, unable to help myself. "It's great indeed." I have time to add before Sisi puts her hand over my mouth, shushing me.

"He's not the brightest pupil." She forces a smile, her foot kicking me in the shin at the same time. "I think he mixed up the prayers."

"I don't get why they'd only make a second coming. I mean, what about the third, or the forth?" I continue, lowering her hand.

One look in her direction and her eyes are shooting lasers at me. On the other hand, Catalina is laughing, and Marcello doesn't seem far behind. Why, there's a twitch in his upper lip.

"You'll have to forgive him," she adds sweetly, "he's not exactly housebroken. I planned to get him a muzzle, since he's known to bite too, but alas that fell through." She turns to me, raising an eyebrow and daring me to reply.

"I only bite when asked," I speak lowly, only for her ears.

Her mouth parts slightly, her pupils enlarged, and I know I got her. Swiftly, I turn to the conversation, adding.

"Since you don't think I'd fit in as a nun." I sigh, deeply disappointed. "Then a priest should do."

"There are only two priests at Sacre Coeur, and everyone knows them. How do you think you're going to manage that?" Sisi asks.

"We'll just have to off one of them, and I'll be the replacement."

It's quite easy too, since the priests are not always at Sacre Coeur. We just need to choose one, get a copy of his itinerary, kill him and then I'll promptly show up as the replacement.

"It might work," Marcello agrees, "but killing a priest? Really? Isn't that a new low, even for you?"

"I'll weigh their sins and choose the most wicked one." I roll my eyes at him, "If you're so concerned for the state of my immortal soul."

"More like an immoral soul," he mutters dryly. "I'll look into DeVille, maybe I'll be able to get something." I'm surprised he offers to help, but I'm not about to refuse him. Not when I'm public enemy number one—at least in New York.

We go over a few more details, and Marcello promises to keep an eye out for any information that might seem relevant to our quest.

"Well, then we have a plan." I stretch in my chair. "I guess before we leave I should also let you know that I'm a wanted man." I give him a lazy smile, "So if anyone comes looking, say you don't know me."

Taking Sisi's hand, I tug her to her feet, ready to go. "Oh," I turn sharply, "and I need a car."

Marcello looks about to combust as he's undoubtedly digesting my last sentence. He blinks twice, and I groan out loud, knowing what's to come.

"For God's sake, Vlad," his voice thunders, and even Sisi looks surprised at the sudden change in his demeanor.

"You're not leaving with my sister. What the hell are you thinking?

" he continues to rage on, going on and on about how unsafe it is and how I should be ashamed of myself for putting her in danger.

One foot outside the door, I wait until his soliloquy is done before I reply.

"You should know by now, 'Cello," I tilt my head, my tone serious, "that it's not me, nor Sisi, who is in danger. It's everyone who tries to harm her. You know me, and you know what I'm capable of," I tell him squarely.

"Rest assured that no one will make it out alive. Is it an inconvenience? Yes," I shrug, "but Sisi is safest with me, where I can see her, touch her, smell her. If not…" I trail off, turning to look at her and seeing the understanding in her eyes, "Then no one is safe."

Marcello continues to sputter, not that I thought he'd relent immediately, but Catalina is quick to pacify him.

Grabbing Sisi's hand, I leave the study, heading straight for his garage and grabbing one of his cars.

"You did better than I expected," she mentions when I'm behind the wheel, revving the engine. "And I'm confident they will come around. Eventually."

"They will," I agree, starting the car and gearing up for a long journey home.

It wouldn't be my preference to return to my place, but it is the most secure now. The underground framework is unparalleled and for as much as it was built to keep me in, it will also keep other people out.

Sisi's quiet as she stares out the window, her eyes almost closing.

Intent on letting her get some rest, I focus on the road, mentally going over potential scenarios.

The undercover idea isn't bad, and as soon as we get to my computers I'll do an in-depth analysis of Sacre Coeur and comb through some of the recent footage to learn their patterns.

I already know their security is pretty tough, and while I'd gotten in before with some persuasion, the tide's bound to change now that I'm not everyone's favorite person.

No doubt, Mother Superior, too, must have been alerted to my search for Miles, and she's bound to have some safety measures in place if I come calling.

My lip curls up in distaste as I think about that woman who's abused Sisi her entire life.

I'd never particularly liked her, but she'd run Sacre Coeur with a tight fist, and I know a lot of the local mafiosi see that as an advantage when it comes to keeping their beloved daughters away from the temptations of the world.

Sisi and Catalina were not the only ones who'd been sent there. In fact, a lot of illegitimate daughters have been raised at Sacre Coeur for decades.

Why, I remember Benedicto Guerra himself has a sister who's taken her vows, with a few others in the same situation.

Still, everyone involved in Miles' scheme is bound to have been notified that I'm out for blood, so I don't expect Sacre Coeur to be any different. In any other scenario, it would have been infinitely easier to bust in, ransack Mother Superior's office and interrogate her and then be gone.

But in this case, Sisi's idea about going undercover has the most merit. And unbeknownst to her, I have another ulterior motive for wanting to infiltrate the convent. At last, her tormentors are going to learn what true hell is, right there in their holy place.

"Are we there?" she asks groggily, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand.

"Almost," I reply and I hear her stomach growling, an embarrassed look crossing her face. "We'll order some food too," I say and she regales me with a smile.

"I can't wait to have a good night of sleep," she yawns, suddenly looking so young and vulnerable.

"We both will, and then we'll tackle everything."

I speed through the city, making it home before it gets dark out.

The compound is completely empty as we make our way inside. We quickly settle inside the bedroom, and Sisi places all her things in my wardrobe before we go pick up the food and head to the kitchen.

"You need to call Sasha," she mentions as she takes a bite of her burger. "I don't think I did a good job with your wound, and I don't want you to have complications because of that."

"It doesn't hurt." I shrug.

"It might not hurt you , but who knows what's going on inside your body?" She shakes her head. "I want a proper doctor to look at you."

I want to protest and tell her this is nothing compared to some other injuries I'd gotten over the years, but one look at her and I know I can't argue. So I relent, calling Sasha and giving him a rundown of my wounds.

"It's not that deep," he notes when we're in the infirmary.

"I'll just disinfect it and close it properly.

You're lucky the bullet didn't tear the muscle.

That would put you out of commission for a while," he comments and I grunt, noting the way Sisi's assessing everything like a shark, making sure Sasha takes good care of me.

"Done," he says, placing a bandage over my shoulder. "Call me if there's anything else." He nods as he exits the room.

"See, that wasn't too hard." Sisi raises an eyebrow at me, taking my hand and leading me to our room.

We both fall asleep the moment our heads hit the pillow. Holding her close to me, I know that now that I've found my heaven I'm never letting anyone take her away from me.