Page 163 of Villainous Kingpin

“Even when she kicks you in the nuts again?” Priest asked on a snicker.

“I hope the red-haired one cuts your balls off,” Dante drawls, dragging his eyes away from Juliette.

The music was lowered and the Nikolaev men laughed at whatever Wynter said. My wife found a way to have little Kostya in her arms again and was kissing his little hands.

“Jesus, she’s really good with little ones,” Dante muttered, watching her help little Kostya push on Sasha. The big brute pretended to fall over and Kostya giggled loud, flapping his hands and legs. Then Wynter did it again and Sasha pretended to stumble backwards.

I loved and hated how at ease she was with the Nikolaev family. It was my jealousy, I knew it. Before she’d tell me she loved me. Those words no longer slipped past her lips.

Forcing my face to stay calm as I watched them all, my wife’s eyes darted around, as if searching for someone.

CHAPTER66

Wynter

Ididn’t see my mother anywhere.

My eyes skimmed over the crowd of guests and nothing. My uncle was there but there was no sign of her. She hadn’t left him all day.

Giving Kostya to Aurora, I excused myself and went searching for her.

Maybe she went to the bathroom, I thought.

I went into the house and turned down one hallway. Servers were busy going in and out.

“Excuse me,” I stopped a woman with long blonde hair. “Did you see one of our guests coming down this way?” When she stared at me blankly, I continued, “My mother.”

She shook her head. “The other hallway,” she muttered. “The one on the right.”

“Thank you.” I rushed back from the way I came and took the right turn down the long hallway. I practically ran, opening each door on my way. I’d made it almost to the end when I heard a whimper.

I barged through the storage room door to find Gio’s hand wrapped around my mother’s neck, the look of sheer horror in her eyes. A body was slumped on the ground and I recognized Basilio’s uncle. I had no fucking idea what happened here, but I wasn’t having it.

“Get the fuck away from her.” I flew at him and hit him on his head. He didn’t even flinch and his grip must have tightened on my mother’s throat because her eyes bulged and she clawed at his hand, desperate for air.

“Get your filthy hands off her,” I screamed, beating furiously at his back. “I’m going to kill you.”

My mother’s petrified face stared at me and I refused to let this man win. I jumped on his back and bit into his shoulder. His yelp was music to my ears.

He pushed my mother off and she stumbled down onto her knees. “Useless whore,” he spat, though I was unsure who he was talking to. Mom or me.

“Get it through your thick head,” I hissed. “She doesn’t want you. And neither do I.”

His eyes glared at me, dark and ruthless, promising a painful retribution. Let him fucking try.

“How is your knee?” I sneered. “It should have been your skull I shot.”

Mom’s gasp filled the room but I didn’t look away. “I bet no woman will want you with that fucked up leg of yours.”

He raised his hand and slapped me hard across the face. My ears buzzed and a metallic taste filled my mouth.

“Run, Mom,” I croaked while all Gio’s attention seemed to be on me. He went to turn his eyes on her, but I quickly said, “This time, I’m going to kill you, Gio DiLustro,” I said with conviction. “For what you’ve done to my mother. And for what you’ve done to me.”

This time, his hand curled into a fist and flew across the air. I dodged it from hitting my face, but not quick enough to avoid it hitting my shoulder.

“I’ll show you how we present the bloodied sheets even with your cherry popped, you whore.”

CHAPTER67