Page 68 of Lethal Vengeance

A quick peek ensures he’s gone. I pull my shirt down and lean against the wall. The damn man is lethal. One side is sexy, hot flirting, and the other is hard and domineering. Sweet and savory. Catnip and a spanking. I shudder, wanting both.

Peeling myself away from the wall, I grab the jar and saunter out of the bathroom. He doesn’t get to know I’m the least bit bothered by him. I hand him the jar and keep walking until I find a seat, away from all three men.

Margot smirks. “Your expression is smooth waters, but I’m sensing a tidal wave of emotion under the surface. Want to talk about it?”

“Want to tell me what happened with you and Leo today?” I drawl, my voice coated in honey.

Her eyes dart to the man in the corner who’s been studiously ignoring her all night. “Nope. I’m good.”

We look at each other and laugh. The only two women in a room full of testosterone. It’s a miracle we haven’t killed them.

The phone rings, and I pivot to face them.

“Paulo acquired an address for the ranch. I don’t know if it came from Armando or someone else. It’s not the same as the house. We’re going to check it out,” Zane informs me, eyes filled with relief.

“I’m going with you,” I state firmly.

“You can’t,” Zane refuses. “Paulo doesn’t like strangers. If he sees someone with us, he could go on his own.”

Frustrated, I raise my hands. “Fine. But call as soon as you have him.”

“Sterling is staying here with you,” Zane remarks quietly. “We’ll keep you both updated.” He gives Sterling a reassuring look.

I wince. I’d forgotten how hard this situation is for Sterling, too.

“Thanks,” I murmur.

When they’re gone, I grab the dress from the closet and start working on adding the garotte to the belt. It must be easy to pull off, but completely hidden from view. I find the groove at the bottom. It feels big enough to fit the wire. Carefully picking apart each seam, I slide the wire in between, then add a loose stitch to keep it in place.

“What are you doing?” a smoky voice asks beside me.

I turn to find Giovanni watching my hands.

“I’m adding a garotte to the belt,” I explain, showing him how I intend to do it. “I’ve done it with almost all of my belts, and it’s come in handy.”

“Do you mind if I watch? I’d like to give my tailor instructions to do the same to my belts,” he asks.

I contemplate the man beside me. “I’ll let you watch me add weapons to my dress, if you’ll tell me how Samantha and Aria are doing.”

His mouth twitches. “A hard bargain, but it’s a deal.” He blinks. “Did you say weapons? What else are you adding?”

“Don’t tell me you don’t remember my knife?” I joke, reminding him about the one I used to threaten him.

He smiles, and it transforms his face. “You’re a very interesting woman, Quinn.”

I pick up the needle and thread, then pause. “Well?”

While he tells me about their homecoming, his voice is filled with anger and relief for Aria, but something else entirely for Samantha. A protective energy that feels so familiar. I peek over at Sterling and find his eyes locked on me.

“He’s not going to come over and kill me, is he?” Giovanni’s amused voice murmurs.

“Maybe, but not before the attack. We need every single man and woman tomorrow,” I retort.

He laughs.

Dante sends him a sharp look.

He shrugs.