Page 148 of Villainous Kingpin

He flicked a gaze to me and dark amusement shone in his eyes.

I raised a brow, surprised at his teasing. The warm air brushed my cheeks and whipped my curls around me. This moment almost reminded me of how it felt before… before his father.

“This cat might kill Basilio DiLustro,” I remarked casually but my smile kind of ruined the threat.

He grinned. “If I had to choose how to die, it would be by your hand, principessa.”

Raw pain slashed through my chest at the thought of Bas dead. Just the thought of it shattered my heartbeats one by one and I knew that nothing would ever be the same if he no longer walked this earth. I wouldn’t be the same.

The car came to a stop and I immediately recognized the area. My uncle’s Hampton home was nearby. I straightened into my seat.

“The Hamptons?” I asked, my eyes darting back and forth. “Are the girls here?”

He shook his head. “No, they are with Davina and the baby in California.”

My shoulders slumped. “That’s right, I forgot. Davina had the baby.”

Last week, right after the attack at Emory's home. I missed it because of Bas. Uncle begrudgingly called Bas since I had no electronics with me. Then he handed the phone to Juliette who promptly cursed Basilio out and told him she’d cut him into tiny little pieces when she got her hands on him.

Family reunions will be so much fun, I thought dryly.

“This is my place,” he interrupted my thoughts. “I want you to see where we’ll be having the reception.” I tilted my head and watched him in silence. “I want you to see the setup and get your input.” I blinked, slightly confused. Was this his olive branch? “Whatever you don’t like, in the house or for the wedding reception, we can change.”

“Okay,” I finally said while emotions tugged at my heart, urging me to lean over and kiss him. He was my center of gravity and life without him was pointless. But then so was the pride that held me back

The car came to a stop, the engine of his black Chevy Corvette extinguished. The two of us exited the car, and he came around to take my hand into his, then handed me his cell phone.

“Call her,” he offered, his voice warm against my ear.

I took his phone, though something deep down in me rebelled. “I want my own phone back, Basilio,” I demanded softly. “When-”When will you trust me?But I had to be scared of his answer because I couldn’t get the words out. “I won’t leave,” I promised.

He reached in the back seat of his Corvette and grabbed the beach bag. You’d think he’d look ridiculous carrying a large pink bag, but no. He looked fucking hot, with his aviator glasses, black dress pants and a white short-sleeve shirt. I could spot a glimpse of his ink on the side of his abs through it and warmth rushed to the pit of my stomach, despite my agitation at his distrust.

“Whatever,” I muttered and slid open his phone and froze at the picture staring back at me.

Bas’ screen saver was our selfie from nine months ago when I drove Priest’s Jeep to the beach. When we got to the beach, I insisted we take a selfie and he appeased me. He snapped the photo just as I turned to tell him to push the button so the two of us stared at each other when the selfie was taken.

I looked completely and utterly infatuated with him.

CHAPTER61

Basilio

“You locked my sister in your penthouse?” Priest growled.

I met with Dante, Emory, and Priest at The Eastside Club. Tomorrow was our wedding day and I needed everything to go smoothly. I needed my ring on her finger before I lost my shit.

The four of us sat around the office that used to belong to Liam. An authentic Picasso painting was the only thing to witness our discussion.

“To keep her safe,” I told him. Yeah, it wasn’t the best plan but fuck, it was the only one I had. Until now, nobody knew about that place. But I trusted my cousins and sister. Although Priest was acting like an overbearing nutjob of a brother. “Emory, I need you to go and stay with her tonight. Dante will escort you two to the church with our men tomorrow.”

Emory rolled her eyes. “I can’t believe you’re even bothering with the tradition of not seeing your bride the night before your wedding. Considering you broke all the other traditions.”

I flipped her the bird.

“He’s superstitious,” Dante mocked.

“He’s an obsessive idiot,” Priest spat out. “You can’t keep her locked up and shackled for the rest of your lives.”