Beautiful Trouble: A Dark Mafia Romance

“Not really, but I’m glad you answered. Darren will find that interesting.”

I clenched my jaw. “So you’re just trying to discover more ammunition to use against me then?”

“I don’t know what I’m doing, but I do know that you’re trouble.”

I started to tell her to go jump off a high branch but stopped as someone barked Erin’s name from up near the house.

Darren stalked toward us with Jekyll and Hyde in tow.

Those two little bastards told on her.

Erin smiled. She was pretty when she smiled. “I guess our discussion is over. Thanks for talking to me.”

“Wait,” I said as she took out her phone and began typing again.

But she walked off without looking up from the screen.

I stood there dumbfounded. What the hell did she want to know about my family for? My mom and dad had nothing to do with what was happening to me here—that was all about Roman and Cassie.

I didn’t have time to stew for long. Darren appeared and steered me back toward the house while the guards lingered nearby.

“What were you doing talking to Erin?” he asked, anger radiating off him like steam from water. His fingers dug into my arm.

“Let me go, asshole, and I’ll tell you.”

He looked down at his hand like he hadn’t realized he was gripping me so hard and eased off. I rubbed the spot where his fingers dug into my flesh.

“I told you not to speak to them.” There was a warning tone in his voice.

“I’m sure your little pets informed you that she approached me, right?”

“Yes, but—”

“And what was I supposed to do? Run away? Scream?”

“Running and screaming is a good idea when Erin’s involved.”

I glanced over toward where she disappeared into the house. “What’s her deal, anyway?”

“She’s Erin.” He said it as if that explained anything. When I gave him a look, he elaborated. “She lives in her own world with her own set of rules. What did she want to know about you?”

“My parents. Their divorce. If I was close to my mom.”

“Interesting,” he said softly, frowning into the distance. “She doesn’t normally care about family stuff.”

“What the hell is with you people?”

His gaze snapped back to me. “If my sisters approach you again, walk away. Come find me. Do anything but engage. Especially with Erin.”

“This whole vague and threatening thing isn’t going to work. If you want me to steer clear of Erin, give me a reason.”

He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. “Something happened a long time ago and she took it hard. We all took it hard, but I think she was the worst. It took her years to come out of her shell again, but she’s still a little—broken.”

I watched him for a few seconds before nodding. “I think that was the most honest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

That seemed to annoy him. “I’ve never lied.”

“Not lying and telling the truth are two different things. But okay, I’ll leave Erin alone, although this wasn’t my fault.”

He shoved open the back door. “You’ve done enough damage today. Maybe you should stay in your room.” His eyes glanced down to my lower lip where he’d bitten me.

It was still pink and swollen.

Plump, delicious.

Fucking bastard.

“How’d your meeting go, by the way?”

“The Ukrainians are going to kill more Italians.” He deadpanned as he steered me inside. “And thanks to you, Roman is distracted. I’ll make sure the Libertos are out of his control by the end of the month.”

“Why did you just tell me that?” I stared at him, not sure how to take any of this. He shook his head, as if he felt the same way.

“You said your life is involved in what I do, and you’re right. So if you want to feel like some of this blood’s on your hands too, then I’ll be happy to keep you informed.”

“I’m not killing anybody. You’re the one pulling the trigger.”

“And yet plenty of people are going to die because you’re here.” He touched my cheek.

I slapped his hand away. “That’s not my fault. It’s yours.”

He only laughed and walked off.

I watched him go, fuming.

That man drove me absolutely wild with rage. One moment he acted like he wanted to rip my clothes off, and the next he seemed like he might tear my throat out from my mouth. To be fair, I wasn’t exactly playing the part of the submissive, quiet captive. I fully planned on making his life hell.

But he’d make mine just as bad—or worse.

7

Darren

Roman sounded tired.

He always sounded—something. Stressed, on edge, pushed to his limits. That was how he lived: always one step away from the edge.

It made him dangerous.

“My wife is unhappy with present circumstances.”

I smiled to myself and paced around my desk. Anthony rolled his eyes from his seat near the fire, slouching back in the chair.

I should have more people in the room for a conversation with another Oligarch. At the very least, my mother would want to have Chika present.