Page 152 of Capuleto

"What puts me to sleep is your cowardice. Using your sister as a shield instead of having the balls to face me is utterly lazy."

I chuckled deeply.

“What I am is smarter than all of you combined, and I won't deny that I like having aces up my sleeve.”

“What you call an ace, I call lack of manhood. I know everything you've done to force Nikita to become my wife, I know everything you've put her through to make her accumulate enough hatred to want to end me and my family. But I also know that you've never stopped using her because you lack the courage. If you haven't faced me, it's because you're such a little man that you disgust me. That's why you pretended to be dead instead of seeking confrontation.” His offensive words made a vein in my neck bulge. “You'd never dare to face me alone.”

“How little you know me…” I muttered. “Is that what you want? For us to meet alone and confront each other?”

The idea made my loins tighten.

“Why not? That's how real men settle their differences, and I'm not afraid of you.”

“Well, you should be. I can end you with a single bullet.”

“Prove it. Let Nikita go and face me.” I laughed again.

“My sister has brainwashed you with her cock. Do you think she loves you? She's in on this with me; she has been since I took her from Santorini. She'd never betray me. The hospital was a charade so we could leave together.”

“You know what? I don't believe you. You're more alone than you think. If I were you, I'd run like the rat you are and hide in the most inhospitable place in the world so I wouldn't find you. Because, the day I do, I won't show a shred of mercy.”

“Empty words. I've thought that maybe today I'll kill your son.” I could imagine him going crazy with worry at the threat.

“Don't you dare touch that baby.”

“Why not? Nikita is eager to abort. A couple of pills, and it will flush right down the toilet.”

“You're a son of a bitch.”

“I see you already know your mom's profession. She was always good at spreading her legs.”

I was nearing the port, so I had to hang up.

“I'm coming for you, Yuri. I won't rest until I kill you.”

“Too bad you'll die first. See you soon, asshole.”

“You have no idea.”

63

I love you

Aleksa

Igazed at the man of my dreams curled up in that armchair which lacked the breadth to support him.

The guys had told me everything he did for me, and I knew there wouldn't be enough space in my chest to contain the emotions Andrey stirred in me.

Since I woke up, I couldn't help but ask about my Russian, yes, I said my Russian, because if there was one thing I was sure of, it was that every time he was within my reach, the possessive article made all the sense in the universe.

He was a part of me, just like an arm, a leg, or in this case, the heart. There was no better organ to represent him—well, that and the cock, because damn, he really got me hard, the bastard.

Piero and Valerio exchanged knowing looks as soon as I asked the question. I had gone too many days without seeing him if I counted the ones I spent unconscious. There was something in their expressions that set off all the alarms. Had something happened to Andrey that they were hiding from me?

“What’s going on? Is the Russian okay?”

“Yes, the boss has him dealing with Irene,” Valerio replied, glancing uncomfortably at Piero.