Faked A Dark Mafia Romance - Vanessa Waltz Page 0,30

interrupt. “There’s been a major miscommunication. She’s my fiancée.”

A horrible thrill shot through me.

“Really?” Killian’s amusement grew as he faced me. “Where’s your ring?”

I wet my lips. “I-I don’t have one yet.”

“How does someone propose without a ring?” Killian quipped.

“Not all women need a diamond, but I guess you wouldn’t know that.” Vinn leaned against the car, arms crossed. “You people buy your wives.”

Killian beamed at him. “You have got to teach me how you nailed this girl down.”

“Persistence,” he said silkily. “We’re childhood sweethearts, and I haven’t had the chance to go shopping with the doctor appointments. She’s pregnant.” His words just about gave me a heart attack. “Nico was just released. He had no idea. Nobody did.”

What the hell is he doing?

Lying through his teeth. He expected me to back him, and I would, but then what? I wasn’t pregnant and wouldn’t be for years.

“Y-yeah,” I stammered, recovering. “I’m a few weeks along.”

Killian huffed. “I’m not buying it.”

Vinn stepped forward, his eyes gleaming like volcanic rock. “I have two police cruisers on standby to raid your cocaine smuggling operation. Let her go, and I’ll call them off.”

Killian’s mouth twisted. None of them would get jail time, but losing all that product would hurt. His pocket chimed a second later, and he laughed at the screen. “Oh, he’s fucking good.”

“Answer it.” Vinn waved. “I’ll wait.”

Killian stabbed the button and held the phone to his ear. “What’s up?” He sighed as a woman’s voice blasted from the speaker. “Really?”

After a few moments, he ended the conversation. A heavy silence dropped between them before Killian broke it. “You won—this time. Shithead.”

I wrenched free of Killian, walking stiffly. The walk became a run as I whirled around the car and flung into Vinn’s embrace. I burst with a relieved gasp and threw my arms over his massive shoulders, squeezing.

Vinn soothed me without words as he drew me close, bathing me in his scent. He cupped my face, and my heart lurched madly. Blood rushed where he touched me. He smelled like the sea, fresh and weightless, like suntan lotion and the countless summers when I played with my brother and his best friend. The images washed over me like a wave lapping my feet.

Vinn’s lips brushed my ear before trailing to my cheek, where he kissed me. Foolishly, I let the heat from it warm me.

“Do exactly as I say. You’re mine now.”

Twelve

Vinn

Nico had put a gun to my goddamned head.

After everything I’d done for the Family.

The countless pep talks with his son, sending him to rehab, visiting Nico in jail…all of it had added up to a big, fat zero. I’d killed men I barely knew. I’d fiercely defended our interests because, without my uncle, I’d still be a jobless felon.

I had nothing but this.

I would’ve gladly died on a Costa hill.

For what?

He’d been ready to blow out my brains a few hours ago. Nothing mattered to him but that jackass, Anthony. He’d only spared me because Liana’s “pregnancy” made her a worthless bargaining chip. I would’ve jumped in front of a speeding train to save her life. He was in a hurry to dispose of her.

The betrayal sat like a rock in my throat.

Fuck up again, and your kid won’t have a father.

He’d said it right before I drove to Liana. I didn’t feel the impact until Liana was safe. Now, I burned with a corrosive hatred.

I charged into the kitchen. Drawers slammed as I searched for something to drown the rage. I tore through cupboards, finding a half-filled fifth that some chick had brought over. The tinted liquid poured like oil.

I pressed the cup to my mouth and drank. The floral syrup hit my tongue, pitting my stomach with nausea. Like death in a bottle. Specifically, like the purple flowers that had sprouted all over Iraq. Bitterness chased away my short-lived relief.

Tentative footsteps tapped the floor.

Shit. I wasn’t alone. Suddenly, resentment over all those times she’d shown up at the hospital and rehab washed into my gut with my next gulp. Liana was always there to witness my weakest moments.

“Vinn, you’re stronger than this.”

I closed my eyes. “Leave.”

“No.”

Of course she wouldn’t. “I’m not asking.”

Judging by her approach, she didn’t give a shit. “What do you really want, Vinn?”

To be numb.

It was no use. I couldn’t wall myself in ice. Liana had blown back into my life, and, ever since, I’d been a fucking mess. Distracted. Angry. Impulsive.

Jealous.

Killian’s face materialized in my head.

I hurled my drink.

A small gasp echoed behind