Page 20 of Scandalous Kingpin

“Yeah, I got that when they attacked me.” His lips tipped up as if amused at the memory.

“You held yourself well against the three of them,” I remarked.

“I’ve done my share of fighting.”

I let my eyes travel over his muscular form. Aiden was tall and objectively handsome; in another life, he probably could’ve been a boxer or model. Still not my type.

“So who wants this to happen?” I questioned. “Not you. Not me. Not my brothers. My father, obviously, but he’s dead.” That old pang pierced my chest while flames of vengeance flickered. I still hadn’t given up on my quest to find Sofia. “Who’s left to enforce it?”

“My uncle.”

“Well, let’s get rid of him.”

He threw his head back and laughed, the sound ringing through the jet’s luxurious cabin, and I shot him a surprised look. He didn’t look like someone who laughed a lot.

“That’s what you think it’ll take, huh?” he repeated, mirth still lacing his voice.

With an uneasy sensation filling me, I nodded. “Why not? We could make it look like an accident.”

He shook his head. “I guess I can see what he sees in you.”

My brow furrowed. “Who?”

“Don’t worry, Ivy. I have a feeling everything will work out just fine.” He leaned forward, putting his big palm over mineand patting it. Like I was a kid, and the gesture kind of pissed me off. “But we won’t be killing my uncle. I happen to like him.”

I didn’t share his conviction, but as the plane started its descent, he returned to his work, refusing to elaborate further.

Chapter Nine

PRIEST

Isat in the principal’s office with my orange pop, my feet swinging beneath me on the too-big chair, when he came in. He was wearing a floor-length, ruby-red robe that reminded me of a Halloween costume. I wanted to tell him he looked like an idiot, but I opted to keep my mouth shut. I couldn’t get into more trouble or my mother would beat me black and blue until not even Dante could save me.

He approached and sat in the empty chair next to me rather than taking a seat behind the desk as usual—I was no stranger to getting called into his office.

When he spoke, he slurred his words. “In trouble again, Christian?”

I puffed out my chest. “I didn’t start the fight. He broke the keyboard and I taught him a lesson.”

“Tough boy.”

He smiled at me, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Even at that age, I knew there was something wrong with that smile.

He extended his hand and I took it hesitantly. His cold, wet skin made my face scrunch up. He patted his lap and I froze, but that didn’t keep him from insisting.

“Don’t you want to make your mamma and papà proud?”

I puffed up my chest. “Only Papà.”

He shook his head, the wiry white strands swaying with the movement. “This would make him extremely proud.”

I swallowed and took one more step. He pulled me the final inch, closing the distance, and soon enough, he was hugging me, setting me on his lap. I didn’t know how it happened, but suddenly my pants were half-open and the principal was trying to get inside my underwear.

“What are you doing?”

Papà said nobody should ever touch or see my privates but me.

“Your mamma gave me permission,” he whispered, his breath in my ear sour and hot. It was wrong. I wanted to push him away, but I felt like my arms and legs were stuck in quicksand. “It will make her happy, but it has to be our secret. If you tell anyone, your big brother and papà will die.”