The Fortunates (Unfortunate #2) - Skyla Madi Page 0,71

at my sides. He doesn’t scare you. He can’t touch you.

“No, thank you.” I sidestep and push off the door. “You shouldn’t be up here. Guests aren’t allowed on the second floor.”

My head spins as I march as fast as I can toward the staircase. Anxiety runs rampant in my chest and I’m a shoestring away from succumbing to it.

“Where are your shoes, Unfortunate?”

I slip my hand onto the bannister and patter down the stairs with Vince hot on my heels. “None of your business.”

As I push off the last step and onto the foyer littered with mingling Fortunates, Vince snags my elbow in his hand. Growling, I snatch my arm free and whirl around, catching him off guard.

“You have some nerve,” I snap at him, attracting the attention of nearby Fortunates. “If Kade sees you anywhere near me he’s going to kill you.”

Vince’s eyebrows shoot up, his dark eyes dancing with delight. “You told him?”

What kind of question is that? “Of course I told him.”

“Funny. He hasn’t said anything to me.” He taps his palms along his chest, feigning shock. “Isn’t that a bitter backfire? I’m still alive.”

I scoff and push forward, making my way to the double door on the left side of the manor. “You’re only alive because I begged him to spare you.”

He falls into step beside me. “Spare me? Why on earth would you do that? Enjoy it, did you?”

I reach the doors to the gentleman’s room.

“Enjoyed it? Please. The only thing I enjoyed was pointing a gun at your face and pulling the trigger.”

I grip the handle and he slaps my hand away. I hiss as I lock my stare with his.

“You missed me.”

“I won’t next time,” I promise, reaching for the handle again.

Vince snatches my hand and stares at my ring. “You weren’t lying about the marriage after all.”

I pull hard, but he doesn’t let me go. “Why would I lie about it?”

“I’m sure you have your reasons. Who verified it?”

“John Milano.” I tug against him. “Let me go.”

Vince sneers. “Of course he did.”

“You’re just mad because Kade and I are starting a family and we don’t want you to be a part of it.”

He releases me and I stumble backwards, my fist slamming into the door. I hold it to my chest.

“Maybe I already am a part of it.” He leans in close, mocking me as I straighten myself. “Maybe a little piece of me is already growing inside of you.”

Blood drains from my face and bile bubbles in my stomach, burning my throat. I hadn’t even thought of that. When was my last mandatory birth control shot? Am I still covered? Now that it’s no longer mandatory, where do I get one?

I’m paralysed by the horror, so much so I don’t register that John has opened the door to the gentleman’s room until he speaks.

“Is there a problem here?”

I jump, whipping my head toward the full room. I find Kade immediately. Oliver is in front of him, his hands braced against Kaden’s wide chest.

“No,” Vince simpers, stuffing his hands into his black slacks. “Just talking to my sister-in-law and, quite possibly, my baby’s mam—”

I slap him hard in the face and it echoes around the room. Heat sears over my palm as his head is tossed to the side.

“You are insane,” I seethe, rubbing my hand against my dress.

Vince licks his bottom lip and turns his angry eyes on me. His jaw ticks and his nostrils flare. “You’re going to regret that, Unfortunate.”

I swallow hard and square my shoulders. “You don’t scare me.”

It’s a lie, of course. Truth is, Vince is the scariest person I know. He’s unpredictable and crazy. There’s no telling what’s going through his head at any given moment.

There is no one more terrifying than Vincent Sario.

Chapter Twenty

Kade

It was the slap that was heard around the manor, but it wasn’t the slap that put Kade on edge. It was what Vince said. Their little exchange was heard by everyone in the silent room. That was the way the large, mahogany room was designed. Sound could filter in, but not out. It aided the men in knowing when the women were coming to spoil the fun.

Kade wanted nothing more than to tear Vince’s head from his body. Looking at his little brother made him sick to his stomach, but he couldn’t bring himself to look away. No. Each second his stare lingered on Vince’s warm, olive skin only fuelled his hatred more. He wanted to keep his promise to