Sinful Kisses by Emily Bowie
CHAPTER 3
I’m stuck going on a business run for Coy. My so-called privilege. Yet again, I’m reduced to an errand boy, having to do the things he doesn’t have the guts to do. Each job has been getting increasingly more dangerous. He’s probably hoping someone else will finish me, so he won’t have to. Leaving him to look like the good guy.
The Irish mafia has been sniffing around our territory. I don’t blame them. We look unstable. Our constant battle with the Rossis is weakening everyone.
The Irish and the Russians have a diamond sale happening that I’m going to blow up. It will serve as a reminder not to do business in our territory. I think Coy’s just mad that they outbid him. Or this is an easy way to have me gone.
I arrive early, finding a good place to watch. I climb the old stairs of an abandoned building. It gives me an easy getaway and a view of everything.
I bring my phone out and dial the first number. I don’t care who it is, but I need an alibi. I can make it to the party within minutes from here. If anyone asks, I was there all night.
My lips pull back in a grimace once I hear yelling coming from the phone. What have I done? I look back to my screen to realize she’s calling me and not the other way around.
“I thought you were going to call me, Romeo.”
Fuck me.No point in arguing that I specifically stated the last time was a one-time deal. She was more than okay with the arrangement last week. I’ve got a stage-five clinger on my hands, and I’m doing myself no favors by making another date with her.
I see the cars in the distance, and I have no other choice. I might as well make this work. I don’t have time to call anyone else.
“Sorry, babe. I thought you said you would call me. I didn’t want to disrespect your independence.”
She huffs, and I pull my gun out.
“Let me make it up to you. Come to a party with me.” I cajole.
“Really?” Her voice cheers up instantly. She waits for me to confirm.
“Really.”
“Is it the one on—”
I cut her off. “That’s the one.”
“But I didn’t say which one.”
I hang up, focusing on the cars. If she’s not at the same party, I’ll find a way for people to remember I was there.
Two people from each car get out. Good thing I’m making this look like the Russians sabotaged them. I wouldn’t want them to unite and get the stupid idea that they could attack us.
I screw on my silencer and aim where I buried the mini bomb. Holding my breath, I shoot. A light zoom sound flies through the air. When it hits the target, the Irish’s car blows up, allowing the Russians to take back their money and keep the diamonds.
A disgraceful chuckle leaves me. We didn’t even profit from this hit. This serves as another reminder I need collateral. I need backing from the old-timers if I’m to survive. At this rate, I’ll have a bounty on my head that Coy will collect.
Swiftly, I walk out of the abandoned building. I wipe my gun clean, placing it at my back.
Within minutes, I’m at a full-fledge party. I’m able to grab a beer before anyone notices me. I give a few nods and high-fives as I walk outside. Inside, the house is stifling with the number of people in there. The smell of sweat, pot, and booze mixed with humidity—the scent is suffocating.
My “date” finds me right away. Pity there weren’t more parties happening tonight. She begins her tirade all over again, berating me for not calling her. I thought we parted ways without phone numbers. Somehow, she found mine. There was no discussion about a next time. But I accept it. This will help solidify my alibi.
This right here is why I don’t do girlfriends. Too many expectations. I’m a good guy who always lays out my intentions beforehand, but shit like this still happens.
Wanting to find a way to leave… what’s her name? I glance around and notice one of the Rossis’ cars pull up. Not what I need tonight, but the fight will once again solidify me being here. The car bumps the curb before they cut the engine. Gia Rossi steps out, looking gorgeous as hell. I have to remind myself she’s the enemy. She is just as bad as the woman standing in front of me. She gives everyone her fake smile and compliments. No one ever has that many nice things to say about everyone. She has to be faking it.
My cock stirs, and I have to repeat all the reasons I hate her. Why she is evil. Why my life is ruined because of a Rossi.
Unlike any other time I’ve seen her, she’s not surrounded by her own entourage. She’s Queen Bee, but it seems her little worker bees have left her alone. Each of her steps is unsteady. My eyes are captivated by her. I scan the crowd, and she has everyone’s attention. Even the girl in front of me has stopped yelling for a second.
When Gia Rossi walks in, she has always stolen the show. When I was younger, I was naïve, thinking we could put our family feud behind us while at school. That idea was short-lived. I never had the chance to be friends with her and put my theory in motion. Her boyfriend Alfonso sucker-punched me one night. He made sure I was alone and couldn’t do a thing about it. It was that night I realized my infatuation with her had to end. It made me weak. There was no way I would allow a Rossi to hold any type of power over me.
She serves as another reminder of how her bloodline has ruined mine. My heart speeds up as I get the urge to walk away and follow her. This isn’t the type of party where a girl like her should be alone. At that thought, her bodyguards step out of their car.
A sting crosses my jaw, and I’m reminded of the girl in front of me. She’s angrier than before, knowing she no longer holds my full attention.