The Devil's CrownPart Two - Monica James Page 0,39
so frantically. I place a hand over my chest, afraid I’m about to have a heart attack.
“Tonight, my family is coming to meet Alek. We will find out everything we can. I was going to drag this out, but we can’t wait.”
“Wh-what does that mean?”
“It means, Aleksei Popov’s days are numbered,” he replies with a smirk. “I thought I needed him, but after speaking with my family, we just need the basics, and then we can fill in the blanks as we go. His impulsive nature makes him hard to trust. Even though he’s come through when he said he would, I can’t take the risk. Too much is at stake. It would be easier with him, but after what he did to Serg, to Raul, it’s evident he’ll have no issues doing the same thing to me.”
Vomit threatens to rise, but I quash it down. “When will this happen?”
Santo reaches out and brushes the hair from my cheek. “It all depends on how much Alek is willing to share tonight. My famiglia is very powerful. They’re the Italian mafia. They rule Italy, and now, they’ll rule Russia as well. They didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes as we need buyers for their product, but with Alek the way he is, he is a risk we can’t afford. It won’t be easy at first, but please be patient with me, bambina, and when I rule, I’ll buy us a house where we can be ourselves.
“We’re both prisoners here. But it won’t be long now. That’s why I’ve decided to speed things up. I can’t bear to be away from you any longer.”
Tears spill down my cheeks, which Santo wipes away with his thumb. He mistakes my tears for those of happiness. “This is all for you. I will kill the man who handed you over like nothing. He wasn’t aware of my feelings for you. He didn’t care what the repercussions were. He simply saw you as a paycheck.”
My heart breaks because my plan has backfired—epically.
I need to warn Alek about tonight, but how? Locked in this room with no phone or computer access, I’m useless. If Alek gives Santo the information he needs, they’ll kill him. Even though he’s always on alert, he won’t expect this so soon.
Alek is using Santo as well. He needs him alive just a little longer to gain what he can to cement his position back on top. This is why he won’t kill him yet. But Santo has seen how impulsive Alek is—he’s afraid of him, which is why he’s going to kill him. There is a change of plans, and now, I must act accordingly.
God, forgive me.
“Thank you, tesoro,” I softly whisper, peering up at Santo from under my eyelashes. “You are so good to me. I want to be there tonight to support you. But—”
“But what, bambina?” he asks, lifting my chin with his pointer finger.
“But Frank has ordered I stay locked in this room,” I state, incredulous he took the bait.
“My son has a bad temper. I’m afraid I’m to blame. I can’t override his decision. You know how it’ll look if I do.”
Shit. This won’t do. If I don’t warn Alek, he’ll be walking into a trap.
“I know,” I reply, frowning. “But I want to see you take what’s rightfully yours. You’ve earned it. Santino Macrillo, the kingpin of Russia, has a nice ring to it. And me, his beloved—” I pause with intent, and Santo plays straight into my hands.
“My queen.” He fills in the blanks, rubbing his thumb along my bottom lip.
“You can’t blame me for wanting to see you succeed,” I reason, darting out my tongue to lick over his thumb. “And ending the man who hunted me like prey.”
It works like a charm.
“Of course not. I will see to it then,” he affirms confidently.
“And Frank?”
“You let me take care of my son.”
Smiling happily, I bow in gratitude, as I know Santo will appreciate the gesture. But it seems he appreciates something else more.
“Now, how will you take care of me?”
Before I can reply, he wraps his hand around my waist and draws me against his chest. He examines me closely, and if I thought this monster could love, I’d say he was looking at me with love in his eyes. But he sees me as his possession. Nothing more. Nothing less.
“I haven’t brushed my teeth yet,” I say, panicked when he leans down to kiss me.