The Skull Crusher (Skull 2)

I didn’t have anyone in my life to protect, anyone to disappoint. My only family was just as evil as I was. There was nothing I could do to change Heath’s opinion of me. We’ve been murdering and stealing for a long time. “I have a favor to ask of you.”

He lifted his gaze to meet mine. He had the exact same eyes as Cassini, so it was always jolting to meet his look. The Cardello family line was impossible to ignore. They were all strong, proud, and bossy. “What makes you think I would do anything for you?”

“Because I’m good to your sister. I bring her here because I know it’s important to her. I never lay a hand on her. I never force her to do anything she doesn’t want to do. Maybe I keep her as a prisoner, but I treat that woman with respect.”

“Until you return her to Lucian or kill her,” he said coldly.

“Let’s not skip to the end.”

“And let’s not pretend your actions are okay just because you’re decent to her now. You can say the same thing to a lamb, that the lamb should appreciate his master for being fed, for having shelter, and for having affection once in a while. None of that matters because he’s going to be slaughtered—just the way my sister will be.” There was so much hatred in his eyes, so much rage directed at me. If only he were powerful enough, he would actually try to kill me. Murder was written in his gaze.

“I want to know Evan’s last name.”

Once he heard those words, his rage turned from a boil to a simmer. “Why?”

“I’m going to kill him.” I was glad Cassini was mine to enjoy. I was glad I had the perfect way to torture Lucian, the perfect leverage to get what I wanted. But I respected this woman and knew she deserved better. None of this would have happened if that piece of shit had done the right thing. He should pay for what he did.

“She doesn’t want him to die.”

“I don’t care what she wants.”

“But you’re doing this for her—so you do care.”

I couldn’t argue with that logic. “He deserves to be punished.”

“Agreed.”

“So tell me.”

“He’s got a family.”

“I’m not there for them, only him.” I didn’t have any interest torturing a woman and a child because of Evan’s past. They probably had no idea the rotten thing that he did. They couldn’t be punished for that. I hurt people who deserved to be hurt. His family didn’t fall into that category. “I’ll wait until they’re gone. So, are you going to tell me or not?” I grew impatient, even though I wasn’t going to storm off and beat him that instant. But I wanted to dig into this guy, torture Evan for what he did to Cassini. A beautiful woman like her never should have been part of the underworld. She was too good for Lucian, and she was definitely too good for me. She was an innocent person so I should let her go, but I was far too obsessed with her now. I couldn’t imagine being with another woman after her. None would compare. And she was instrumental in my plans with Lucian. Sometimes innocent people had to get hurt. If she asked me to save her in the beginning, I would have done it, even with Lucian as her husband. But that was her fault for never asking.

“Evan Alfonsi. He lives in Florence.”

“Thank you.”

“Cassini made us promise not to hurt him. But since you’ve made no such promise, give it to him good.”

“Oh, I definitely will.”

We left the factory and drove back to my place.

“The pasta was delicious, wasn’t it?” She had an arrogant smile on her face, like she didn’t need to hear my answer to know she was right.

“It was.”

“Wouldn’t it be nice to have that once a week for dinner? I could make it.”

“Once a week is still too often.”

“Are you serious? My family used to eat it every night.”

“Did your family look like this?” I lifted up my shirt while I faced the road, showing my hard abs.

She glanced because she couldn’t resist and then quickly looked away.

“Besides, it has no nutritional value.”

“Deliciousness isn’t part of that?”

I shook my head. “Sorry, baby.” Not everyone could eat whatever they wanted and look sexy. This woman ate highly processed, sweet cereal and still had perfect curves. She ate donuts for lunch, lasagna for dinner, it didn’t matter. Cassini could do whatever she wanted. If I ate like that, it wouldn’t matter how much I worked out. I’d look like shit.

“I could never have your discipline. The doctor could tell me it would shorten my life span by ten years, and I still wouldn’t stop.”

“I think it would—if you had children.”