Page 14 of Sweetest Sin

“Fuck, I’m coming back there.”

“There’s nothing you can do,” Matteo says. “I have all my men searching for her, and as soon as we find her, I’ll let you know. You coming home won’t change a thing. You’re a good businessman, but you don’t know the streets like we do.”

He’s right, but I hate feeling helpless.

“Besides, Andrey isn’t going to hurt her,” he points out. “She’s the only daughter he has, so she’s his only hope of completing his ludicrous plan.”

“We need to take care of him sooner rather than later.”

“We will,” he promises. “Go to the meeting. I’ll let you know if I find anything else out.”

“All right,” I say after several seconds. “If you need anything …”

“I got this. Get the deal finalized, and I’ll see you back at home.”

We hang up, and the anger that’s been building inside me finally surfaces. Before I can think about what I’m doing, my fist hits the metal beam in an attempt to release a bit of my pent-up aggression.

Fuck!

Brielle just had to hold on a little longer, but instead, she acted in haste, and now, not only did she get her boyfriend killed, but her life is at risk too. She knew better when she chose to fall for someone who wasn’t part of our world.

Speaking of which …

My gaze lands on the beautiful, green-eyed beauty standing in the taxi line with her rolling luggage next to her.

I should leave her alone, walk away, and never look back since I know Matteo is going to take care of that asshole for her. But I can’t help the way I gravitate toward her.

“Where are you off to?” I ask when I step up behind her.

She jumps and spins, a cute shriek leaving her lips. “Jesus,” she breathes when her eyes land on me. “You can’t be sneaking up on people like that. I’m headed home.”

“Does that mean you won’t be serving me my old-fashioned on my flight home later?”

She shakes her head. “I picked up a trip for a crew member. So, unless you’re going to the Dominican Republic tomorrow morning, you won’t be on my flight.”

“That sounds an awful lot like an invitation,” I joke, making her eyes bug out.

“What? No,” she splutters, shaking her head. “That’s not what I?—”

I bridge the gap between us and lean in close so only she can hear. “The DR is beautiful this time of year. Maybe I’ll have to take a trip there.”And it would be the perfect distraction from the bullshit that has become my life.

“I’ve never been,” Peyton chokes out. “We have a one-night layover, so I’m hoping to spend tomorrow seeing some of the sights.”

“I could show you around,” I tell her, lifting her chin so she’s forced to look at me. I have a few business associates in the DR, so I’ve been there several times over the years. “Would you want that?”

“I told you that I have a lot going on and my mom is?—”

“I’m not asking you to marry me,” I say, placing two fingers against her plump lips. “And whatever is going on will still bethere when you are back. I just want one day with you. Could you give me that?”

She swallows thickly, and then after several seconds, she nods.

“I need the words.”

I need to hear that she wants me the way I want her. That despite neither of us being in a position to see where this could go long-term, neither of us can deny the chemistry sizzling between us. And it would be a waste to not let it burn.

“IfI were to see you in the DR, I wouldn’t be opposed to letting you show me the sights.”

I nod and smile, so damn intrigued by this woman. “Well, maybe you’ll see me on the plane tomorrow.”