Page 129 of Sins of the Orchid

I glanced at my brother. I detested the envy, but it grew hard and fast, spreading through my veins like poison. Those two had gotten even closer over the last two months. Like it wasn’t enough they were joined at the goddamn hip. There was pride on his face every time he saw or spoke about her. They texted every day. But he still chased other women.

My hands were bound tight with fucking handcuffs. I hired multiple lawyers to go through the contract and find a way to breach it. It was my first step at fighting this absurd marriage contract. Well, there wasn’t a single loose clause, not without starting a war. Or me executing my brother and Amore’s family. Fuck, if it were anyone else, I’d fire a bullet and take what I wanted right now. And trust me, it was so tempting.

But realistically, war was something I didn’t need right now. I had issues raining down on me with the cartel that was encroaching into Russo and Bennetti territory in New York and causing havoc every time I turned around. Things were escalating. And there was the threat of Ulrich Anderson.

Adriano’s phone rang, and I didn’t have to wonder who it was. His face had the same expression every time Amore called.

“How is my favorite girl?” he answered, and I gritted my teeth. I wished he’d take his calls privately. It fucking pissed me off to hear his conversations.

I could hear Amore’s laugh ring through his headset. What the fuck, did he have it notched up to the max volume? Was he deaf?

“I’m good. I have one final stop, and we should land the day after tomorrow.”

“I need my shipment status,” I barked, agitation burning down my spine. “Now!”

Renzo jumped but Adriano didn’t even move and just put her on the speaker so he had his hands free to grab the documents he had for me.

“I saw the dress. They just aired the fashion show. Excellent choice,” he commended her.

“That was weeks ago.”

“You looked sexy, totally hot…” he trailed off while his eyes flashed to me. “I miss you, baby girl. You missing me?”

Her soft laugh rang over his speaker. “Of course. Always.”

My teeth clenched and hot animosity slithered through my blood. I fucking itched to fight, to kill. It was the only thing that could relieve this tension right now. Either that or fucking, and for the latter, I needed Amore Bennetti. Ever since I’d had Amore, no other woman did it for me.

Fucking trust me, I’d tried. I really had, but I couldn’t even get semi-hard for any other woman.

“I’m glad you picked the green dress,” Adriano said, locking eyes with me. “It goes great with your eyes and hair.”

I narrowed my eyes on my little brother. Similar words were spoken by me not too long ago.

“I was worried my boobs would fall out,” she replied, chuckling. “Don’t tell anyone, but I taped the edge of it to ensure there were no wardrobe malfunctions.”

Adriano chuckled. “I won’t tell anyone except that you just told Santi and Renzo. You are on speaker.”

Silence followed, and I could picture her skin flushing with embarrassment and agitation.

“You should warn me when you do that,” she scolded him. “Anyhow, I didn’t realize you were not alone. I’ll let you go.”

“Don’t worry. Santi won’t fire me,” Adriano teased.

I wouldn’t be so sure if I were him. More often than not, we argued lately. I was tempted to fire him.

“I don’t know, Adriano. If you slacked at my company, I’d fire you,” she retorted dryly. Out of the two, Amore acted more mature for sure. Loud noises and laughter mixed in the background of Amore’s call.

“Amore,” a man 's voice shouted. “Ven aquí, niña. Estamos esperando.”Come here, girl. We are waiting.

She must have put her hand over her phone because when she replied, “Just a second,” her voice was muffled, and a string of English curses poured in. She shushed someone and then her voice came through the line again.

“What was that about?” Adriano asked, but he didn’t seem overly concerned.

“Nothing. I have to go. See you tomorrow.”

I frowned. I thought Adriano said she had some business back in Italy, though she seems to be in Spain. The realization struck like lighting.

She was in South America.