Page 21 of Liberated By Sin
Santino’s voice was velvet, and his stare so intense that I felt the need to look away, but my pride kept me focused on him until we found ourselves in a strange sort of staring contest.
I would have apologized, but that’s not something I did anymore.
“So you kicked out your own cousin, huh?” I finally said, attempting to break the ice, but instantly regretted initiating more small talk. The last thing I wanted was to give this man the wrong impression and the illusion of an invitation that I was somehow someone he could befriend. That couldn’t have been further from the truth.
“Irreconcilable differences.”
I continued toward the exit, and he followed. Didn’t surprise me.
“I can see that.”
“You think he’ll be missed?”
“I guess it depends on who you ask.”
He caught the crook of my elbow, and although his touch was gentle, it was enough to tug me to a stop. Glaring at where we were joined, I lifted my eyes to meet the audacity on his face, but his focus was on the silk band around my wrist.
“I’m asking you,” he rasped.
Taking back my arm, I kept moving through the parking lot. “I preferred Lorenzo, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Good to know. And I hope to take his place soon enough.”
I stopped abruptly a second time. “Mr. Leone, did you ask all the girls the same question?”
“Only you.”
Maybe that pretty grin and his alluring dark eyes worked on other women, but I wasn’t them. I knew men like him. Powerful, handsome men who viewed me as either an easy fuck or a shiny new toy to conquer.
I sighed, ready to put him in his place and hoping not to get fired, but I was willing to take that chance.
“Listen—”
“Your eyes, they’re gorgeous. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like them.”
My whole life, strangers complimented or insulted my heterochromia. I was immune to both. But I couldn’t deny the genuine admiration in his tone. A feather-light tickle pricked somewhere in the pit of my stomach.
“Bastardo! Ti ucciderò!” Luca stormed through the lot, a gun pointed at Santino. “I open my doors to you, and you humiliate me in front ofmypatrons.”
Santino stepped between us, shielding me from my former boss’s line of fire.
“You were dismissed and caused a scene. I put an end to it.”
“You just want to fuck me over because you think you’re the better man.Come sempre.”
I wasn’t sure how to feel. On the one hand, I was in the middle of a familial dispute I had no interest in, and second, this man I met less than fifteen minutes ago put himself between me and his cousin’s eager trigger finger. The men I was used to viewed me as less than. A whore.
There went another whisper of a flutter.
“I don’t think this is the time or place,” I said, peering around Santino’s broad chest, intent on stepping out of his shadow. But he swiveled his back on the threat and held me in place.
“Amara, get back inside where it’s safe. I’ll handle Luca.”
“You’re either incredibly brave or foolish. What’s stopping him from shooting you in the back?”
“My cousin knows better,” he said with a chuckle, completely unfazed.
“Definitely option two.”