Sassy in Lingerie (Lingerie 8)

“No, it’s not…” She sniffed against me then walked out of the room, unable to look at any of us anymore.

I stayed behind, watching both men immediately look guilty for what had just happened. They didn’t give a damn about me, but they felt like shit for hurting Vanessa. Cane clenched his jaw and sighed. Crow crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the desk.

I didn’t wait for an apology or some form of reconciliation. “Vanessa and I rented a villa a few miles away from you. She wants to be closer to you, and I’d like to help out around here. I don’t know shit about wine, but I can move heavy stuff.”

Crow couldn’t stop himself from raising his right eyebrow. “You moved here?”

“Not permanently,” I said. “She just wants to be close to you for a while. Spend more time with you. And I’d like to get to know you better. Or better yet, let you get to know me. Give me something to do around here, or I’ll find something.”

“Didn’t realize you were an ass-kisser,” Cane spat.

If he were anyone else, he’d be on the floor choking on his own blood. “You took your wife from Tristan and made her sleep with you so she wouldn’t have to go back to the man who beat and hurt her.”

The second I mentioned his wife, Cane’s eyes narrowed.

“Now she’s your wife, and your in-laws live right down the road. Both of you are acting like you’re better than me, but we’re exactly the same. We’re equals. So get off your fucking high horse and take a look in the mirror. We’re all murderers and criminals here.”

“But Vanessa is not your equal,” Crow said. “She’s not our equal either. She’s above all of us.”

I didn’t have an argument against that. “If putting up with your bullshit makes me an ass-kisser, that’s fine with me. I’m only here for Vanessa. I’ve come to terms with the fact that you’ll never like me, but don’t expect that to hurt my feelings. I’ll do anything to make this work for her, even withstand your punches and ridicule. For the last month, all you’ve done is disrespect me, insult me, and now hit me. It’s not gonna scare me off. Nothing is going to scare me off. I’m unbreakable and untouchable. I’m stronger than both of you combined. I’ve killed members of the mafia and even the leaders of small countries. This is child’s play for me. I can handle anything you throw at me. So maybe you should stop with the strong-arm tactics and just try to see the way I love her. Because that’s all that matters—that I’m in love with Vanessa and I would lay down my life for her. You would do the same for your wives. We’re the same. Like it or not—we’re the same.”

Four

Vanessa

I sat on the cobblestone patio with the uninterrupted view of the vineyards. I snatched a bottle of wine out of the cellar and enjoyed it alone, sitting in the sunlight as the breeze moved through my hair.

It kept getting worse. Now they were hitting Bones.

I knew this would be difficult, but damn, this was ridiculous.

Footsteps sounded behind me, but I didn’t turn around to see who it was. If they thought they were getting some of my wine, they were wrong. My hand tightened on the neck of the bottle, claiming it as my own poison.

My father pulled out the chair across from me and sat down.

He didn’t throw the punch, but I was still angry with him.

Uncle Cane came next, falling into the chair beside me.

I ignored them both, being ice-cold. I kept drinking, my sunglasses covering my swollen eyes. Bones could take any hit, but it still broke my heart to see my family treat him that way. He didn’t deserve it.

My father sighed. “Vanessa—”

“Don’t say you’re trying because you aren’t trying,” I snapped. “We moved here, and Griffin is willing to spend more time with you at the winery. He’s willing to do anything to make this work, even let you punch him in the face.” My gaze turned to Uncle Cane. “I’m disappointed in both of you. I know you’re stubborn and prideful, but your minds are so clouded by hatred that you’re continuing a war you could bring to an end. I love this man, and despite everything he’s doing to be accepted by you, you continue to disrespect him—continue to hurt me. I don’t want to hear an apology or an excuse.” I slammed the bottle down and rose out of my seat. “When we come here tomorrow, you will give him work to do around the winery, and I’ll work on my paintings. You will treat him like a human being, not a punching bag. Do you understand me?” I’d never told off my father or uncle like this before, but they had it coming. Both of my hands went to my hips as I stared at them, my sunglasses blocking my ruthless stare.