Page 142 of Possess Me

“Of course. An aversion to getting your hands dirty. You ordered your thugs to do so.” I’d heard the story told to Vissarian. But it didn’t matter right now. I needed to lash out, to let him know nothing he could say or do would change anything.

He flitted his eyes to Vissarian. “No, Fallon. I did not. Whoever did will be found. Vissarian Dmitriyev. I’m not surprised you are here.”

“Why is that?” Vissarian asked.

Giovanni laughed. “I do try and keep track of my family. I am well aware of who you are and what you are capable of. You blamed me for Megan’s death. All those years ago.”

“Because you and your kingdom are the reason Fallon’s entire family was crucified.”

I locked eyes with Vissarian. Bruni deserved his anger.

Maybe he was faking it, but it appeared Mr. Bruni was a bit shaken. Not that I felt in the least bit sorry for him.

“I’m sorry about what had occurred over the years,” Bruni said, too casually for me.

“Yet you didn’t mind being in bed with the Russians,” I threw out. In a very short period, I’d learned a lot about mafia politics.

He seemed surprised, opening his eyes wide. For a split second. “Often we do difficult things that are most beneficial to our families.”

“Ri-ight. Did you know I was almost kidnapped in Cuba?”

No, he didn’t.

“What happened?” His voice was also gravelly. Just like what I remembered about my father.

“I’m going to make myself very clear. I am not for sale under any circumstances. I will not be used as a pawn for you to gain power with the Dmitriyevs’ Russian uncle.”

That much he had known. He’d been a willing participant in everything that had occurred.

Vissarian bristled, but I stepped in front of him.

“Yes, well, the politics of Russia are not of my concern.” Giovanni thought he could get the upper hand.

“The politics?” I asked. “Perhaps you should spend more time learning about them as the reason for the attack in Cuba was all about destroying whatever deal you made with Yuri Dmitriyev. How do I know this? Because my stepbrother, an employee in your… army betrayed you.”

“Antonio? Hardly. I am not participating in any business with Yuri Dmitriyev, Fallon. I am sorry if you were led to believe something that just isn’t the truth.”

Vissarian laughed. “We know the truth, Bruni.”

“No, you don’t,” he said. Mr. Bruni’s voice was different, as if he felt remorse. Maybe guilt. Good. He could live with what he’d done for the rest of his miserable life.

“Then why are you here?” I demanded.

“To get to know my granddaughter who I care about very much.”

“Do you know how my sister died?” I asked, throwing him a little.

He lifted his gaze to Vissarian. “I heard she was gunned down while on vacation.”

“She was killed because of loving me, an enemy of the people you’ve entertained going into business with,” Vissarian hissed.

“I don’t believe that,” Giovanni said, laughing.

“She was my fiancée, Bruni. You should know when she died, she was pregnant with my child. With your great-grandchild. She died because of your greed and being played by a monster who has sought revenge against my family for generations. I thought you should suffer the way I’ve suffered for fifteen years. But I won’t allow you to lay a single finger on Fallon. She belongs to me.”

Giovanni was visibly shaken, but he hid it well.

“I’m in love with Vissarian just like my sister was. This time you won’t be able to stop us from forming a family.”