Chapter 37

Angelo

I swallowed hard as I stepped into my office. I hated this—hated leaving Vivianna. Matteo nodded as I walked by him. He let out a long breath and said, “Listen, I don’t think you need to say anything to Vito about him kissing Vivianna.”

I raised my brow, “No?”

“This Sabina chick, he likes her.”

“How can you tell?”

I already knew this, but I wanted to know what his opinion was.

He chuckled, “Maybe the fact he had his cock shoved so far down her throat earlier. Perhaps, it is the way he’s protective of her. I just think you should let it slide. Do you think he’s gonna let her do this?”

“His dick down her throat, huh?”

“Yeah, that man is finally growing a pair. That was your plan from the beginning, yes?”

I grinned, “You know me all too well. So, I know it’s still a sore topic, but I have some news. As soon as this shit with Simon is over, I’m getting married—to Vivianna.”

“I’m happy for you, but you do know what this means, yes?”

“That she’s going to be my wife?”

“You, boss, are going to be in a world of hell. When she tells my girls, they are going to start the process.”

“There’s a process?”

“Oh, man, don’t tell me you don’t know. The planning, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and so much more.” Matteo chuckled, “Let’s just hope Ivana doesn’t hire a stripper.”

“I don’t need a stripper.”

Matteo let out a deep chuckle and shook his head. “Not for you, boss. For Vivianna.”

I narrowed my eyes and clenched my jaw. “Vivianna isn’t getting a stripper.”

The only stripper she needs is me.

She wants a stripper, I’ll fucking show her one.

“Relax, I’ll talk to Ivana about it.”

Vinnie got on the plane an hour ago and on his way to Russia. I glanced at Matteo and asked. “Get a location on Simon?”

“You’re in luck. He’s in Vegas—in your hotel.”

“It’s time. Fetch Vito and Sabina, so she can text the fucker.”

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. This was all for Vivianna. For Carmella, but mostly for my Queen. Matteo returned with Vito and Sabina. It was clear Vito was pissed… more than he usually is. “Come, Sabina. Sit with me.”

Sabina glanced back to Vito, and then back to me, before taking a seat in front of me. She sat down and swallowed hard. I could see it in her eyes. The fear. Not knowing how this would play out. I pulled out her phone from my desk and slipped it into her hand. “It’s okay. Matteo and I have your back. Do you trust me to keep you safe?”

“I don’t trust you as a person, but I trust you to keep me safe.”

“Good. Tell him to meet you at the club Vito found you in. Six o’clock. You’ll be wearing a red dress.” I paused, “Deep breaths, darling. You can do this.”

“Sabina, please don’t do this,” Vito whispered.

I nodded to Matteo, “Hold him back if he tries to stop her.”

Sabina unlocked the screen and tapped on her phone. She turned it around to show me the text. I nodded, taking it back from her. A few moments later, it pinged. I looked down at the text and clenched my jaw.

I always knew you’d come crawling back to me. This time, you won’t get away. Just like Carmella didn’t get away.

“What now?” Sabina asked.

“Now, you go upstairs and get ready. I’ve arranged for a red dress to be delivered to Vito’s room. Matteo, will you escort Miss Romanov to Vito’s room? I need to have a word with Vito.”

Vito didn’t fight it, only gave Matteo a heated glare when he walked out the door. I gestured for him to sit, but he shook his head. “I’ll stand, boss.”

“It wasn’t a request, it was an order. Sit. Now.”

Vito let out a harsh breath and did as I asked. “Vito, she will be heavily guarded. You have nothing to worry about. You like Sabina, yes?”

“I don’t—”

“Cut the shit, Vito. You like her. I can see it in your eyes. So, you haven’t kissed her?”

“I—yes, I’ve kissed her. Fuck boss, it’s not supposed to happen to me this way. I’m not supposed to—”

“To feel? To want to protect her?”

“Yes. I don’t want her to get hurt. I can’t lose her.”

“Do you know why we need to take down Simon? He. Raped. Vivianna. I want him brought back here alive. Then, I’m going to torture him until he begs for his life. I want him to hurt as Vivianna did. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Yes. I just ask one thing. I want my turn at him.”

“Why?”

“Because—he did the same thing to Sabina. Now you see why I hate this. I don’t want her to suffer at Simon’s hands again.”

“I do understand. I understand that you would be willing to do anything for the woman you love.”

“I don’t love her,” Vito muttered.

“Not yet, but you will. Trust me, you will. Very soon. And Vito, please try not to rip that pretty dress off of her before we go.”

He smirked, the fucker actually smiled. “I’ll try, but no promises.”

“Oh, and Vito, I assume you’ve gotten over Vivianna.”

Another smirk. “Vivianna who?”

“Good. When this is all done and over, make sure you go get Sabina a pretty little dress. We’re having a wedding. Vivianna and I are getting married.”

“Matteo knows?”

“Of course, who do you think gave me the blessing?” I replied dryly.

***

Sabina bounced her leg nervously as we drove to the club. I knew the woman was scared, but she needed to calm down, or this would be a bust. I sent Vivinanna, Ivana, and Mileena to the safe house. I couldn’t risk anything going wrong tonight. I glanced at Matteo and nudged my head towards Vito.

“Vito, I need to know you’re not going to fuck this up. This is our one chance to get him.”

“No, boss. I’m not going to fuck this up. You’re not the only one who wants this fucker.”

“Good.” I handed a mini-shot of whiskey to Sabina, “Here, it will calm your nerves. Just try to relax. If at any time you feel like you’re in danger, press the button on the bracelet I gave you.”

“I-I’m scared. What if Simon figures it out, and you can’t get to me?”

“Vito will be trailing you. Don’t worry, everything will be fine. All you have to do is lure him out. Let us take care of the rest.”

Matteo pulled into the alley and parked the car. “We’re here.”

“Okay, you and Vito know what to do, yes?” I asked.

“I hate this,” Vito muttered.

“Matteo, you go ahead and scope out the place. Stay low.”

“On it,” Matteo said, exiting the vehicle.

I looked at Vito and ordered, “Whatever you do, don’t let her out of your sight.”

I put on a ball cap on and exited the car. In order to catch Simon off guard, I needed to be in disguise. Blend in with the crowd. I put the earpiece in my ear and whispered. “You guys hear me?”

“Loud and clear,” Matteo said.

“I hear ya,” Vito grumbled.

“Yes,” Sabina said nervously.

I walked through the club and kept my head down. I couldn’t risk anyone recognizing me right now. I slid into a booth and glanced to my left. Matteo nodded as Sabina started to talk.

“I’m here. What do you want from me?” Sabina hissed.

“I want you to come with me. I’m taking you back where you belong. Russia.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you. You see, I have a plan of my own.”

“And, what’s that?”

“It’s simple actually. You have to die.”

I could hear Simon slur his words. “What the fuck did you do to me?!”

“What you used to do to me every time you raped me. I fucking drugged you.”

I calmly slid out of the booth, meeting Matteo. He leaned over and whispered, “Was that part of your plan?”

“No. I know who put her up to this.”

“Vito.” Matteo sighed.

“I’ve got to hand it to him. Smooth. Real fucking smooth.”

Matteo and I met Vito and Sabina at the back, where they had already tied up Simon and thrown him into the trunk.

“Vito—”

“Don’t be upset with him. It was my idea. I couldn’t risk Simon getting away.”

***

Matteo strapped an unconscious Simon down on the table. Vito ground his teeth as he watched Simon come to. Simon turned his head and slowly met my gaze. His eyes widened in fear as I stepped forward. “Good, you’re awake. Now, we can start the fun.”

I nodded to Matteo and said, “Bring me the torch.”

Matteo retrieved the torch and handed it to me. I grinned as I turned the knob and lit it. I held it to his face, causing him to struggle against the rope. “No! It’s no me you want.”

“You see, that’s where you’re wrong. It is you that I want.” I said, bringing the torch to his cheek.

“Fuuck!” I grinned, knowing he was feeling pain. He deserved it and so much more for hurting Vivianna. I wanted him to hurt as she did. I pulled the torch away and turned it off.

“Your turn, Matteo. It is your sister he assaulted, after all.”

Matteo didn’t waste any time bringing his fist to his face. I could hear the crunch in Simon’s nose when Matteo laid another one on him. Another punch. This time to his eye. I turned to Vito and said, “How about you, Vito? Ready for a turn, too?”

Vito took out his knife and plunged it into his side. Then, to the gut. “Simon, is it coming back to you now?”

“She asked for it.”

“Is that right? Did you know that your father is going to be overthrown soon?”

“You’re lying!”

“No, I’m not. The real Romanov King is going to be taking over Russia very soon.”

Vito held the knife to his throat and hissed, “How does it feel to be helpless—to not be able to fight back?”

“Fuck you.” Simon hissed.

Vito pulled the knife away and handed it to me. He knew who would be doing the killing today. It wasn’t him, and it wasn’t Matteo. I was.

I angled the knife over his neck and whispered, “Did you know I could press this into your artery just enough, and I could make your death a very slow one. I want you to lie here in pain just like my Vivianna had to when you took her innocence. You, Simon, are going to die very slowly.”

“Wait! You need me.” He cried out.

“Begging from a Romanov? That’s a new one. You can beg, you can cry, but nothing will stop this from happening. It’s inevitable that you die.” I hissed, pressing the blade into his flesh. Not enough to instantly kill him, but just enough for him to bleed out.

Suffer as my Queen did.

I pulled the knife back and smiled as he began to panic. “Hurts, doesn’t it? I give it less than a few hours for you to bleed out.”

Matteo plucked the knife from my hand and patted me on the shoulder. “We got this, boss. Go to Vivianna, she must be worried sick about you.”