Page 115 of Villainous Kingpin

Brennan frowned, his eyes narrowed on me. “DiLustro, what are you doing here?”

“DiLustro?” The ladies’ soft gasps sounded, a flash of surprise crossing their faces. Wynter never told her best friends who I was.Interesting.

“Same thing as you, I presume,” I retorted dryly, my eyes zeroed in on the woman that should have been my wife by now.

Brennan’s eyes shifted to Emory then returned to me. “Goodbye, DiLustro.”

Not so fast, old man.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me?” I drawled.

“No, I’m not,” Brennan replied, his voice cold. My gaze darkened. Not that I expected a different kind of response from the head of the Brennan family.

I recognized his wife, Davina. She wobbled up to her husband, her hand on her large belly as she slipped her other hand into her husband’s.

Tilting her head our way, she said to Liam, “Honey, I don’t think Wynter is up for dinner. How about we just go back to the hotel?”

“Of course,” Liam appeased his wife. The way she watched him, I was certain he offered her the sun and the moon. “Have Sasha take you to the hotel, Wynter.”

A burn traveled through my cracked knuckles. They’ve gotten more than the usual amount of use over the last nine months. The need to punch Liam was like an itch I had to scratch. With Sasha, I wouldn’t even bother with my knuckles. One bullet.

Wynter didn’t move, her gaze settled on me. It was different from before. Curiosity in her eyes was replaced by something else. Disdain. Maybe even regret. Possibly both.

There was no trace of that smile I was used to seeing on her lips.

Emory took a step forward and extended her hand. “I’m Emory,” she introduced herself. “I’m Basilio’s sister.”

Another flicker in Wynter’s eyes. She slowly lowered her gaze, eyeing Emory’s outstretched hand, then hesitantly took it into hers. Bringing Emory was a good move.

“I’m such a fan,” Emory gushed. “And today’s performance was amazing.”

“Thank you.” Wynter took her hand back and let it fall down her body.

“This is my brother, Basilio,” Emory continued with a big smile on her face. She played her part too perfectly. I’d have to buy her a whole damn city for her persistence. “And my cousin, Dante.”

Wynter tipped her head, looking up at me. She never even glanced Dante’s way, her light colliding with my darkness. My grip tightened, the need to touch her burning my skin.

I watched her swallow, the delicate bob of her neck. A polite, fake smile came to her lips. It was the kind she reserved for strangers.

“Nice to meet you,” she acknowledged finally, her voice quiet.

I don’t think so, principessa, I drawled.

“Actually, we already met,” I drawled, pissed off she’d pretend she didn’t even know me.

The three women shook their heads frantically. As if that would stop me. She was mine now and forever. “Remember,Wynter Star?”

“Ever heard snitches get stitches?” Juliette, the woman that Dante claimed, hissed. Then she glared at Dante while her cheeks flamed. It would seem Juliette remembered Dante all too well.

“But instead of ending up in ditches, you’ll end up in my bed, sweetheart,” Dante answered. Juliette flipped him the bird.

For all I cared, Juliette and her unhinged ass could go and get crazy with Dante. I adjusted my cuffs, my eyes focused on Wynter. Her eyes glanced at my hands, and for a fleeting moment her eyes flickered with the old fire. That same desire and lust.

Fine, I’d settle for lust. For now. I’d use it against her.

“Star who’s this?” The woman with a face that resembled her daughter approached us, her steps tentative. Her mother’s eyes darted between Dante and I, like she was seeing a ghost.

Wynter’s fingers wrapped around her right wrist, spinning her bracelet. Again and again. I zeroed in on it. It was the kingpin necklace that I had gifted her, turned into a makeshift bracelet. Her thumb kept brushing the charm, as if it soothed her.