Devil You Hate (The Diavolo Crime Family 1)

I might have believed him had I not felt the awe and surprise in her body when I slid between her thighs earlier. And it wasn’t just because she expected me to do more to her. She’d been so close to her own orgasm, I could have nudged her over with the tiniest pressure. Not to mention how tight her little body squeezed my fingers when I tested her myself.

No, Marco wishes he had her, but the dumb fuck hasn’t touched her. If I’m right, which I am, I bet he hasn’t even copped a feel.

I shrug. “She said she was a virgin. I’m inclined to believe the lady.”

“Lady?” Marco spits, his anger barely controlled now. “That whore is lying. She’s been all over my cock since the first night we met. I’ve been in every hole she’s got. Plus, a couple of my boys wanted a little taste too. So, if you think you can sell her for a hefty price tag, I’ll make sure everyone knows she’s nothing but a whore.”

Strangely, he’s struck a nerve. A nerve I didn’t even know existed. I step forward, the distance between us almost eliminated. This fucker has no idea how close he is to death. “The whore you were going to marry? What, today, wasn’t it?”

Marco narrows his eyes.

I’m so close to him, I can see the red veins cutting through the dingy white of his eyeballs. Not only does the man have no self-preservation instincts, but he’s also shown up drunk or high, or both.

“If I have to marry someone, it might as well be someone I can at least touch. And I wanted to make sure she’d be open to some of my tastes after we married.”

“Like your taste for poverty?” Soo interjects.

I snort and continue my stare down with Marco.

“Oh,” I tell Soo. “No, it’s the money Celia would have brought him when they married. Her trust fund. That’s what Gardello is missing, not her pretty little pussy.”

Soo inclines his head in response.

The chill in the garage is turning my fingers to ice. I push the cold to the back of my mind. I won’t show weakness in front of this dipshit. Not while he’s digging his own grave, and so sweetly. The scent of liquor wafting off Marco is finally reaching me. I’m ready to go home.

I drag my gun from the waistband of my pants and hold it out to him. “I’ll tell you what, you take this, shoot yourself, and I’ll wipe your debt.”

His disbelieving gaze bounces between Soo and I. “Shoot myself, where?”

I look over at Soo as if weighing my choices. “How about in the thigh? It’s a meaty body part. If you don’t hit an artery, you’ll walk out of here alive.”

Marco’s mouth flops open and closes a few times. “I—what about something else?”

“Well, fuck, Marco. Do you want an itemized list of options to pick from? This isn’t a fucking game. I made you an offer. Do you accept?”

He shakes his head once, as if he still isn’t certain about his choice. Then again, more firmly.

“Great,” I say. Then I raise the gun and pull the trigger, shooting him in the thigh.

He falls to the ground, clutching the wound as he squeezes his eyes closed and breathes through his nose. “I brought you money. I gave you my fiancée. We should be square now. I’ve basically given you my entire life.” He grits his teeth to get the words out. I bet his leg hurts like a bitch. Too bad it’s going to get worse.

Suddenly, I’m hit with an idea. I motion to Soo. “Get her here. I want her to see the kind of man she almost married. Maybe she’ll be a little more grateful for her situation.” Mostly I want to see the pain in her eyes, the tears falling down her cheek.

I want it all.

Soo thumbs out a text message and keeps his eyes trained on Marco. He gives me a nod and slips his phone back into his pocket.

I crouch down in front of Marco, who is rolling around on the ground like a turtle on its back. “Now, when my girl gets here, and make no mistake, she is mine, we can have a real chat.”

It doesn’t take long for another SUV to pull up. As soon as the vehicle comes to a stop, a small figure climbs out of the backseat. Her legs are bare, her dark hair mussed. At least one of my guys was smart enough to shove her into a coat, even if it is three sizes too big for her. Only her ankles are visible above her bare feet. Good. Marco doesn’t deserve to see a single inch of her creamy white skin.

She takes a hesitant step forward. Her eyes dart around until she finally spots Marco. I anticipate her next move, and when she rushes toward him, I catch her around the waist and pull her into my chest. Digging my fingers into her hips, I grind my crotch into her plump ass, reminding her I’m still in charge.