Savage Sinner: An Enemies To Lovers Russian - Italian Dark Mafia Romance (Sinfully Savage Mafia)

“And what was his responsibility? Huh? Going out, partying with the wrong fucking people, racking up debts that he’d never be able to pay. You weren’t her keeper, Dante. You went above and beyond to keep them both safe. You could never have predicted that Emilia would have gone out looking for him that night while you were sleeping. This is all on Vito. When are you going to accept that?”

I press my fingertips to my temples to prevent the splintered memories from that night from consuming my mind, but it’s too late.

“As soon as I woke up, I went after her. I knew exactly what she did and why she did it. She was always so worried about him, and he didn’t give a damn about her or the danger he invited in when he got caught up with those assholes.” I shake my head. “And it wasn’t enough that they killed Vito. What they did to her…” A lump forms in the back of my throat. “I can’t forget that. I can’t just ignore the fact that I had a part in that whole thing. I should have known what she was going to do and stopped her. Such a goddamn waste…” I mutter.

“You did everything you could.” Matteo sits back in his chair. “You have to let it go. Because you put yourself in a shit ton of danger every time you take one of those jobs. You think we have cracks in the foundation? Lemme tell you, you’re just as much at risk on your own.”

I roll my eyes. “Come on. I’m like a ninja. Nobody can touch me.”

“Until they do.” He glowers at me. “So pardon me for wanting to keep you away from the jaws of the huge ass lion snapping at your heels.”

“Did you ever think that I actually like what I do? I consider it a community service-type gig, ya know?” I wink at him. “I’m doing my part to keep the world free of those sick and twisted bastards.”

“And I’m sure the world appreciates it.”

“I’m no good to you if I go soft, Matty.”

“I have no doubt that you’ll find any way to keep yourself sharp and lethal.” He smirks. “Just think about it. If you started your own security firm here, you’d have plenty of clients with enemies that you could tear apart, limb by limb.”

“Great.” I snort.

Matteo lifts an eyebrow. “Besides, there’s plenty going on here in Vegas that can keep you edgy. Just like Miguel Rivas.”

I flash a half-smirk. “I was wondering what took you so long to bring him up. How’d you know?”

He shrugs. “I know most things. I just choose not to divulge them until I need to.”

“Okay, enough about me and my plans. Let’s get back to the immediate problem.” I place my glass on the table. “Since you’re all-seeing and all-knowing, do you really think the Volkov Bratva would go after us, knowing we’re associated with the Severinovs?” I shake my head. “I mean, Alek will torpedo their asses back to the fucking Ukraine or wherever they crawled out from under if they make any moves against us.”

“He would do what he could, but this isn’t syndicate business. We’re partners with the Severinovs, but they’re not our muscle. They’ll fight alongside us but they won’t overstep. They have their own demons to deal with.” Matteo gets up and places a strong hand on my shoulder, his jaw tightening. “If there is a threat, if the Volkovs are watching and waiting, if Conor really is on their hit list…we need a plan of attack. That sonofabitch has put us through too much already. If he’s coming here to bring the fight to us, we have to be ready for it, whether or not it’s ours to finish.”

Chapter Sixteen

Anya

“I have the perfect dress for you!” Heaven squeals, clapping her hands together as she stands in front of her monstrous closet a couple of days later. It’s early in the morning, but she’s definitely on a mission. I’ve been so busy with the baby and running errands with Heaven for the christening that I’ve barely seen Dante.

Or maybe he’s just been avoiding me since the fogged-up window episode.

He hasn’t been around, and I figured with us living in the same apartment, we’d still see each other, even in passing. I guess Heaven and Matteo decided I’m not some psychopath and its okay to leave me alone with the Aisling after all.

Maybe they decided I don’t need a babysitter anymore.

Or maybe he’s just out doing “family business.”

Either way, I miss seeing him.

I miss his teasing voice and his mischievous gaze.

And…much as I hate to admit it…I miss how I feel when I’m around him.

I bounce Aisling on my hip, watching Heaven dive into the racks of dresses, shoes, and handbags.

“Ohh,” I breathe as she holds it out to me. “It’s gorgeous.” I narrow my eyes at the tag.

Versace.

Really?

For the au pair who’s burping and changing Aisling pretty much every hour on the hour?

“Heaven, the dress will be destroyed if I wear it,” I say, handing it back to her. “I can just wear one of my sundresses.”

Heaven lets out a snort. “The hell you will. I want you to show off that beautiful figure. And I’ve got shoes to match!”

I shake my head. “You’re really being too generous—”

She waves a hand in the air. “Stop. It isn’t like I can fit into it anymore,” she says with a hint of glumness lacing her words.