Chapter 47 – Vincenzo
Black fury coursed through my veins. Whichever soldier dared to interrupt just signed his death certificate. As I reached for the lock, I had the presence of mind not to shoot on sight.
No…. That would only upset Amanda.
I would take care of the interruption downstairs and leave the body to clean up later.
“Open up,” a voice rattled. “I haven’t got all night, ya bleeding gobshite.”
What the fuck is he doing here? I flung the door open partway and pointed the gun at Liam.
The Irish mobster flicked an unamused look at the weapon. His mask twitched against his face. “Well, hello there yourself.”
“What do you want?” I snapped. The door stayed partially shut so he wouldn’t see Amanda on her knees. That was for my eyes only.
I couldn’t resist a peek and looked over my shoulder. She was sitting, staring hard at me. Those blue eyes were blown wide; all traces of lust gone.
Fuck me.
“I got your email,” Liam drawled. “And decided to take care of it in person.”
“Now?” My finger tightened around the trigger.
“Yes, now.” Annoyance made his accent thicken. “Unless you’ve got a more enticing way to spend the evening?”
I did.
But I would be damned if I let him know that.
I looked back at Amanda and jerked my chin. She shook herself, taking the hint, and rose. I hated the way she trembled, though she fought to hide it.
Tucking my gun at the small of my back, I hoped the gesture put her at ease. “Come in.”
“Thank you kindly,” Liam sneered, giving me a mocking bow.
Whiskey wafted from him, but true to his roots, he didn’t swagger. I found it hard to believe I was inviting the green devil into my sanctuary.
“How did you get in here?” I closed the door hard.
“Oh, ya know, I charmed your guards,” Liam chuckled and scratched the ribbons tying his mask in place. “Said that we had business and showed the tiny fella the email.”
I was going to beat the shit out of Guglielmo.
Why the hell the assassin was on with the guards, messing with my order, would be sorted out later.
At the same time, I wanted to kick myself for sending that email.
I thought it was a great plan! Part of the show-Amanda-how-good-things-could-be-here plan.
I should have just been content with booking the honeymoon trip to the Caribbean.
No, instead, I had to see if there were any of my contacts looking to hire a badass lawyer.
Liam let out a short whistle. “Hello there, lass.”
I bristled. “Don’t speak that way to her.”
“Why?” Liam rounded on me, cocking a brow.
“That’s my wife.”
His sky-blue eyes flashed with amusement. “Ah, makes sense now.” Turning his attention back to Amanda, he stuck out his hand. “I take it you’re the young lady I was meant to interview?”
Gathering her professional facade around her like a cloak, Amanda tipped up her chin, crossed the distance, and reached to shake his hand. “I’m Amanda.”
I lunged between them, catching her against my body. “And if you want to keep that hand, you won’t touch her.”
That only made the green fucker laugh harder. “Jaysus, would you look at that. I never thought I’d see the day. Congratulations, felicitations, and all that shite.” Liam waved his hand. “But if ya don’t mind, can we get on with it?”
“I’d prefer that,” I snarled.
“Excuse me.” Amanda shifted against my hold. “But what exactly is going on?”
Liam raised his brows. “You didn’t tell her?”
“Tell me what?” Amanda jerked.
“I didn’t have the chance,” I bit out.
“Well, come on, lass—” Liam held up his hands and switched to a mocking Italian accent. “My apologies, I meant Signora Messina. Please, have a seat.”
“Enzo?” Amanda warned.
I sighed. If the bastard left here tonight without another hole in his body, it would be a miracle. I led Amanda back to the kitchen table and our interrupted meal.
Liam plucked a chicken thigh off my plate, smelt it, and tore a piece off with his teeth.
Anger rumbled through me, but Amanda jumped in to play mediator. “Can I offer you a plate? Or something to drink?”
“Nah, I’m grand.” Liam sat heavily in one chair. He continued to gnaw pieces of meat off the bone.
The alcohol made his accent thicker tonight.
I pulled out a chair, thought better of it, and pulled Amanda onto my lap. Better to keep her at a safe distance on the opposite side of the table—with me.
“Vincenzo,” Amanda said with feigned pleasantness. “This is the part where you introduce your friend and explain what the hell is going on.”
“This is Liam McDonagh.” A man I should have let burn. “And since he’s here, I assume he’s taken me up on my offer.”
Liam tossed the bone back on the plate. “I’ve considered it.”
“Considered?” I drew out the word. Why was he wasting my time if this was a mere consideration?
“I have to interview her, first.” Liam smirked.
The effect was garish.
When Amanda stifled a short gasp and leaned back into me, I realized with a rush of horror that she didn’t understand the need for Liam’s mask.
If I’d known he was coming, I could have explained.
Hell, I thought the interview would happen elsewhere, which would have given me ample time to tell her the short history of our acquaintance.
But, not wanting to offend Liam and ruin what I hoped would be a good thing, I bit my tongue and didn’t reveal the reason half his face was concealed by a shiny plastic mask.
“Interview…me?” Amanda shifted back on my lap.
My dick was hard again. Not that it’d had the chance to go soft. It dug into her spine. Something she no doubt was taking advantage of.
“Yep.” Liam folded his hands on the table. One was covered in a black glove.
I almost felt bad for him.
Almost.
“For what?” Amanda’s voice dripped with annoyance.
“Liam runs a prominent construction company in the city,” I explained, jumping to end the back and forth. The sooner this farce was over, the better. I had plans for my flower that did not involve the Irishman. “He is looking to expand, but the company is always running into red tape.”
“V here said he had a lawyer lookin’ for work.” Liam cocked his head. “That’d be you, I take it?”
The words had a beautiful effect. Amanda sat up straighter. Leaned forward. “What do you need?”
They began to talk shop. Liam explained some of his more recent difficulties, and Amanda jumped in with clarifying questions. She understood perfectly the type of legal difficulties he faced.
Damn, but she was perfect. I ran my knuckles up and down her thigh.
Long, lazy strokes. I wanted to keep her to myself, use her skills for the good of the famiglia or when my own empire needed legal counsel, but there wasn’t enough excitement to keep her busy.
She needed purpose and stability. Keeping her with me meant giving her freedom.
I couldn’t ask her to be mine, to stay with me, if she felt trapped and aimless.
This was good for her.
And I trusted Liam enough to keep his paws off her.
“I’ll be seein’ you Monday morning, then,” Liam concluded, pushing to his feet.
“I’m looking forward to it.” Amanda rose and put out her hand.
Liam smirked and shoved his hands in his pockets. “If it’s all the same to you, I’d like to keep my body parts, even if they are damaged.”
Amanda shot me a frown. “Really, Enzo? I can’t shake his hand?”
I caught hers, brought them to my lips, and pressed a possessive kiss on the knuckles.
They were mine.
While she grumbled under her breath, I moved to open the door. Liam left with a nod, and I followed him into the hall, leaving the door cracked open.
“She’ll do well.” Liam pulled at the strings on the back of his head. The mask loosened and fell into his hand. He stretched his facial muscles, pulling the skin taut.
The face beneath was an angry pink, gnarled mess.
The poor fucker.
“She will.” I didn’t hide the note of pride in my voice. “One more thing.”
Liam grunted. “Itches like a mother.” He gently pressed the fingers of his gloved hand on the burned flesh of his cheek. “Doc said it was part of the healing process, though.”
It could be worse. He could be dead.
“What’s up?” He looked over at me. “If this is the part where you stake your claim, save your threats. My men will treat your woman with the utmost respect.”
A slow smile spread over my lips. “I know.”
“Then what else? I need to get home and put the salve on this.” Liam winked his eye to keep from scratching the fresh scar tissue.
“Deluca is eager to see this alliance finalized.” I rocked back on my heels. The capo’s words were something like ‘pick one and put a ring on her.’ My father, the other capo, was less than pleased with the prospect, but it was Deluca’s right to marry off his daughters how he saw fit.
Liam let out a manic laugh. “Look at me.”
“I am.”
“I can’t have a wilting virgin, V.” Liam tapped his mask against his palm. “I need a wife who won’t run screaming when she realizes she’s stuck with a monster. How do I sentence some girl to this?”
“His oldest might surprise you,” I hedged. “She’s tougher than she lets on.”
Liam narrowed his eyes. “Tough?”
“I’m not an old gossiping hag, but her father sees her as a burden,” I said, giving him as much of the story as I dared. “She might see marriage to you as an escape.”
It wasn’t a happily-ever-after, but for her sake, I hoped the oldest Deluca girl would see this as a good thing.
“Alright, then. Set the date,” Liam agreed.