Chapter 3 - The Alliance of the Damned
By nightfall, the Romano estate was under complete lockdown.
I sat in the grand dining room, staring at a plate of untouched, expensive food. The house was dead silent, save for the faint, rhythmic ticking of a grandfather clock in the corner.
The double doors opened, and Vincent walked in. He had changed out of his suit into a simple black sweater, but the lethal energy surrounding him hadn't faded. He sat at the head of the table, pouring himself a glass of dark whiskey.
"Your debt to Sullivan has been settled," Vincent said, sliding a receipt across the table. "I had my men clear your account. You don't owe anyone a dime."
I looked at the paper. Paid in Full.
"Thank you," I breathed, a massive weight lifting off my chest. "But... what happens to me now? If the Luccheses know I'm here, I'm a target."
"You stay here," Vincent said.
I blinked. "As a prisoner?"
"As my son's nanny," Vincent corrected, a faint, almost imperceptible smirk touching his lips. "And as my sister-in-law. You wanted four times the usual salary? I'll octuple it. But you don't leave these gates without an armed escort. We are going to make the Luccheses believe their plan worked. We are going to let them think you are our weak spot."
"And what happens when they try to collect?" I asked.
May you like
Vincent leaned forward, his storm-gray eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my breath catch.
"The Romanos don't pay tolls, Ruby. We collect them."
