Page 92 of Vows of a Mobster

She pushed her plate away and brought her wine glass to her lips. “Yes, maybe.”

Twenty-Eight

Brianna

Ilost my appetite at the mention of sailing. The last time I stepped foot onto a sailboat was two years ago, and it wasn’t a joyous affair. Just thinking about it made the dread within me grow.

“What kind of sailboats are you used to?” I groaned inwardly. I didn’t want to talk about sailboats.

I tried to remember whose sail boat we took that night that we got rid of the body. While certain things from that night were clear as if they happened yesterday, others were hazy.

God, I hope it wasn’t his sailboat we tanked.Marissa knew whose sailboat it was but for the life of me I couldn't remember now who she said it belonged to.

“My dad had a Hallberg-Rassy sailboat,” I mumbled.

“Those are good. Are you able to operate one on your own?”

I swallowed hard. I really didn’t want to talk about sailboats. “It’s been a while, but yes, he’d let me go on my own. What kind of sailboat do you have?”

I desperately try to remember what kind of sailboat we took that night onto the water.

“Bliss. It was launched by New Zealand company, Yachting Developments. Are you familiar with it?”

All I knew about it was that it was an extremely expensive sailboat.

“Not really. It is supposed to be faster than other sailboats, right?” He nodded in agreement. “I think that sailboat was way out of my dad’s price range. I’m afraid that is all I know about it.”

Thankfully, he changed the subject and went to talk about other things. I was afraid he’d see too much. After hearing Kyle’s body resurfaced, I felt on the edge, worry lingering on my mind. What if they connected it to us somehow?

The image of Giovanni’s badly beaten face came to mind, his face bloody and bruised, his eye swollen shut. Marissa nor Giovanni ever explained what exactly happened. They begged me not to ask so I kept my mouth shut. All I knew was that it was because he helped me. And that knowledge was a guilt I could never get rid of.

“Brianna?” Mateo’s voice startled me, and I shifted my eyes to him. He watched me as if he was waiting for something.

“I’m sorry, I got lost in my thoughts,” I apologized. “Did you say something?”

I felt like he saw too much in the way he watched. I wanted to squirm under his watchful gaze but I forced myself to remain still.

“Would you like dessert?” he finally asked.

“I’m good, thank you. I’m ready to go, if you are.”

He stood up, pulling the chair behind me. No sooner did I turn around, I found another man casually leaning against the door to the private room, watching us. His eyes were blue like the sky on a clear day, and his hair was coal black with a slither of greys throughout.

In a quick move, Mateo shuffled me to his left side, his hand reaching for his gun, and I stiffened. The other man had his hand on his gun too.

“H-hello,” I stuttered nervously. I wasn’t sure why I said anything. The way the man watched me was unnerving. He was extremely good looking.

“No wonder you are hiding her, Mateo,” he finally said, a smile on his face that never reached his eyes. “What a beauty.”

“You don’t want to do this now, Declan.” Mateo’s voice was cold as ice. My eyes darted between the two men and they both struck me as ruthless.

“Oh, but I do. Won’t you introduce us?” Declan edged Mateo on. Mateo was an inch or two taller than him, although they were both very tall.

“No,” Mateo gritted.

My eyes darted between the two men nervously, teetering on the edge. They were both ready to pull their guns at any moment.

“Very well, then we’ll do our own introductions,” Declan spoke nonchalantly although his body was just as tense and ready to strike as Mateo’s. “I’m Declan O’Connor. And what is your name, beautiful one?”