Page 82 of Sins of the Orchid

She glanced around, then her eyes came back to me with a tentative look in her eyes. “Has Adriano talked to you?”

Surprised at the offhand question, I raised my brow. “What about?”

She shrugged, avoiding my eyes. Amore excelled in a lot of things, lying wasn’t one of them.

“Amore,” I warned her.

“He’s upset,” she muttered, peering at me under those long eyelashes. “He feels like an outsider but wants to help you.”

I knew Adriano hated not being more involved. Why Pà thought Adriano wouldn’t want to be in the Cosa Nostra was a mystery to me. He’d never have guessed he’d want to be knee deep in it. It took Adriano a bit longer to get interested, but then he was all in. Except Pà slowly started keeping him on the sidelines for a few years now. I questioned him about it a few times, but he insisted it was better for Adriano.

“I promised Pà I’d keep him safe. He didn’t want him pulled into this life.”

She nodded, understanding in her eyes. “I can understand that.”

“But?” I asked because I knew there was a but in there.

“He should have asked Adriano first what he wanted. You too.”

I scratched my chin. “Yeah, we should have,” I admitted. Though I have been using him this week since Pà's death. “But I can’t break my promise.”

She took my inked hand in hers, the color stark against her skin. “Then find a way to keep your promise and keep him engaged. Adriano just wants to feel useful.”

I considered her words. Adriano had started to resent the fact he wasn’t being included more and more. Pà had misread Adriano. Yes, he got into trouble a lot, even pulled Amore into a few of his shenanigans too.

She let go of my hand, and I put the car into reverse to get us out of here. The street was still closed off and empty of all traffic.

“I’ll find something.” Her whole face brightened up with a soft smile curving her lips, and she wasn’t even asking anything for herself. “Now, tell me honestly,” I demanded. “How are you?”

“And here I thought you came to taste my sweet pussy,” she muttered, her cheeks flushing crimson. I immediately slammed on the brakes, leaned over and took her face with both my hands.

She constantly managed to surprise me.

“Filthy mouth,” I groaned and clashed my mouth against hers for a quick kiss. “I will taste your sweet pussy and hear you scream my name as you climax, then I’ll bury my cock so deep in your tight little cunt, you won’t be able to walk for days.”

“Mmmm.” She brushed her tongue over my bottom lip. “Who has a filthy mouth now?” She closed the distance and took my bottom lip between her teeth. My girl was learning quickly.

I pulled away. “But first we talk,” I told her firmly.

She exhaled heavily, then leaned her forehead against mine.

“Do we have to?”

“Yes. I want to know who I need to kill.” She closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them, the dull pain in them hit me right in the chest. Damn it, I wanted to take her pain away. See her smile happily. “Talk to me, baby.”

Another sigh left her. “I sat facing the window.” It was as I thought. “A motorcycle went by. The guy wasn’t wearing a helmet and I recognized him. It gave us enough time to duck before bullets started flying.”

Silence. Just her slightly elevated breathing.

“Where did you recognize him from?” I asked her quietly.

“South America.” Her lip quivered slightly but she got herself together quickly. “I-I think he’s related to the man at NYU.” I stilled. This couldn’t be a coincidence. “The one that attacked me.”

When I get my hands on him, I’ll dig him a deep grave and bury him alive.

“I’ll find him,” I vowed. “And I’ll kill him nice and slow, make him regret the day he was born.”

Surprisingly, she didn’t flinch. Her lips curved and her eyes softened.