Beautiful Seduction

“You’ve already taken from my family. I think it’s only fair I take from yours. I know how important that woman is to you, and I know why. Does she have any idea you’re using her as a pawn?”

“That’s where you’re wrong, Casimine. I had nothing to do with the death of your brother or nephew. I wasn’t at war with them.”

“You’re a liar, Valentin, which surprises me. Originally, I thought you were a man of integrity, but I can see you’re just like your father.”

I could tell Molly was getting antsy, tugging at his hold. “This isn’t about generations ago, Casimine. This is about the fact someone wants members of your family dead and at this point, that someone isn’t me. Now, let Molly go so we can finish our discussion in private.”

“Your father mentioned what happened in Italy all those years ago. I am surprised he had the guts to tell you what kind of monsters they became.”

“Monsters? Your ancestors slaughtered your own people. Hundreds, thousands of them. You believed you were gods, the right-hand assassins of a real monster in Germany. While I believe what my father did was more than honorable, as I said, it has nothing to do with today or the fact you’ve placed an innocent child in harm’s way. No matter the outcome, that won’t be tolerated.”

When he moved his hand to her shoulder, I bristled, taking several steps closer.

“My nephew was a special young man. He meant something to me as did my brother.” His voice wavered as he became more emotional. I wanted to think of him as a ruthless bastard, but he was aching from the recent murders of family members. I’d heard they were close, although at the time I hadn’t given a shit.

“Then I’ll help you locate the killer. You need justice. You need vengeance. I happen to know who he is.” I chose my words carefully, continuously scanning the area for any of his soldiers. It was entirely possible a sharpshooter would take the fatal shot, although I continued to gamble that Casimine had given them explicit instructions that he would do the deed himself. That couldn’t happen with a child in his hands.

His interest was piqued, but he snarled. “Lies. You are just like your father. You deserve to die for what you’ve done.”

“Listen to me. Someone hired an assassin to eliminate your family. Lazor was hunting down the man who killed his son and almost found him. I’m surprised he didn’t tell you.”

“Of course he told me, which is why I began my crusade against your family.”

“He’s not lying, Casimine Adamos. I was paid a significant sum, no questions asked,” the stranger stated, the sound coming from fifty yards away.

Casimine’s eyes opened wide.

The voice was one I hadn’t heard in almost three years. As the man I only knew as Orpheus moved closer, his weapon in both hands, I wasn’t surprised that the child didn’t respond immediately. He’d changed his appearance almost entirely from the one in the picture, his former blond hair now jet black. He’d gained weight, much bulkier than when I remembered, glasses hiding a significant portion of his face. Even his voice was different, the slight accent meant as another disguise. At this point, I was thankful that Molly didn’t know the man with the gun was her father. That could change at any moment.

“What the fuck is this?” Casimine hissed, jerking on Molly’s shoulder.

That’s when she finally couldn’t take being held any longer, jerking free, taking several steps then stopping.

What Casimine’s surprise did confirm was that he hadn’t hired Orpheus to kill me. My assumptions had been correct in that he planned on handling the assassination himself.

“I’m going to take Molly away from here, Casimine. I suggest you allow that to happen.” I moved closer, sensing movement in the trees. “Answer me, Casimine. Will you allow me to take the child away?”

“As I said, Vincheti is not lying, Casimine. I was hired by another entity altogether.” Orpheus spoke and I could tell Molly was confused. I had to get her the fuck out of the way.

Casimine continued staring at Orpheus. That’s when I made my move, lunging forward and grabbing Molly around the waist, pulling her against my chest. I held her head, making certain she couldn’t see the massacre unfold. Within seconds, Brando and several of my men rushed forward. As soon as she was passed off, I yanked the second weapon I had strapped to my leg, swinging around, pointing the barrel in Casimine’s direction. How the fuck had Orpheus known what the hell was going on?

He’d obviously tracked Casimine, but why?

Another hit.

There was no doubt in my mind that the same person who hired Orpheus to slaughter Casimine’s family was finishing the deed. Had he already exterminated Filip?

I heard rustling of the trees all around us, several soldiers appearing in the distant perimeter. As I moved closer, Casimine retrieved his weapon, but I could tell by his expression that he was suddenly uncertain of the information he’d received.

“Who hired you?” Casimine shouted, his hand shaking as he shifted the gun back and forth from my position toward Orpheus.

“Do you understand that you are my current assignment?” Orpheus asked, his voice as calm as I remembered, but I’d seen the way he’d looked at his daughter, the guilt quickly masked. Maybe the man had tried to protect his girlfriend and daughter, not knowing the power of influence that Lazor had in being able to extract information.

Casimine laughed, the sound as bitter as the anger boiling inside of me. I had the taste of blood in my mouth, the need to exact revenge as strong as it had been before, only the unanswered questions keeping me from beginning a war that would taint the city for months to come.

“Orpheus. Were you aware that Cassidy was threatened and that the reason was to try and flush you out into the open?” I asked, being careful as I moved even closer.

Orpheus darted a single glance in my direction, his chest heaving. “There was no way my identity was exposed.”