I didn’t hear whatever she had to say as I dashed out. Tino’s hound, Michele, was waiting for me outside. He gestured toward the elevator, and I went with him, huffing.
Down at the office, Tino was standing by the door like a rabid dog about to attack. “How could you? I thought you were a grownup. Do you like the position you put me in?”
My jaw twisted, and I chanced a glance inside the office. The asshole was there, sitting next to his boss. Domenico’s stare locked on mine, and he gave me that fucking wink again.
That was his revenge. He couldn’t wait to get back here so he’d tell Tino what I did. I was such an idiot for thinking Domenico could be a gentleman. Gentlemen didn’t kiss and tell. Was that why Tino was so upset? Because the asshole told him we kissed? No, by their book, that would have incriminated Domenico. The Lanzas would be at fault, not the Bellomos.
Domenico must have told him his future wife wasn’t as compliant and innocent as Mafia princesses were advertised. Now, that would put Tino in a bad position where he’d have to kiss the Lanzas’ asses. He’d have to give them something to shut them up and save my reputation. I saw now why he was upset. Domenico was getting even by getting a piece of Tino’s business cake.
“I’m sorry, Tino,” I lied. I couldn’t care less about his fucking business. “There must be something I can do to make things better. Maybe if I formally apologize to him and his boss, he can move on and find a new fiancé that suited his preferences without you giving them anything.”
“You want to break off the engagement?” he asked as if I was crazy.
“Thepotentialengagement that I’ve never consented to, yes. Please.” I laughed internally. I couldn’t believe I was about to turn the tables on Dom and get out of this stupid arrangement after all that had happened.
His lips curled over his teeth in a snarl as he grabbed my wrist and dragged me inside.
Shit. That hurt. He was as strong as the douchebag that carried me by the wrists and sat me on his lap. “What the hell? What are you doing?”
Domenico shot to his feet. “Don’t hurt her! She’s a Lanza now. I told you I’d make things right. Now, if you want.”
Tino left my wrist and threw a punch right into Domenico’s face. Instantly, blood flew out of Dom’s nose, and a frenzy of what seemed to be heavy Italian curses I hadn’t heard before stormed out of Enzio’s mouth.
Oh my God. What in the actual fuck? “Tino! Are you crazy?”
“Yes! Crazy to trust that cazzone that couldn’t keep his dick in his pants, that knows nothing about honor or trust.”
“Huh? What are you talking about? He didn’t—” No. Nonononono. NO!
“Che cazzo? He said he’d marry the girl right away. You didn’t have to break his nose before the wedding.” Enzio said.
Domenico wiped his bloody nose. “No, va bene. As long as he doesn’t hurt her. Let him take it all out on me. I deserve it.” He gazed at me with puppy eyes. “I got you, baby girl.”
My face contorted with shock and disgust. “What baby fucking girl? What the hell did you tell him?”
“Everything. I did a terrible thing, and I’m so sorry I couldn’t wait. You’re just so beautiful. But I’m fixing it, I swear.”
“What…” My heart skittered as every fiber in me screamed. “Domenico, whatever sick joke you have going, it isn’t funny. You want revenge, fine, but be a man about it.”
His eyes gleamed with his true nature. The yellow hue of a predator. “Iambeing a man about it. Unlike other people, I’m not the kind who would use a girl and walk away. I meant every single word I’ve ever said to you. I keep my promises, baby girl, and I’ll have forever to show you.”
I gulped, my mouth as dry as a rock. This…coyote…was really out there to get me. He did the one thing I never expected him to do. He lied to Tino, convincing him he’d slept with me last night, and the only way to fix it was by marrying me. Right away.
He wanted to marry me so he could punish me, own me, make me regret trying to use him, so he could have his fucking revenge every day for the rest of my life, so the coyote would eat the little kitten.
But I was no little kitten, and there was no way in hell I was going to let this happen. “There’s no way in hell I’m going to marry you.”
Tino jabbed a finger at me. “You don’t get to object after what you did.”
My eyes widened at him. “What I did? I haven’t done anything yet.”But I will. I’m gonna kill the son of a bitch.“What did I do, Tino? Enlighten me, per favore. What the fuck did I do?”
Suddenly, Tino pulled me into a hug. “Mi dispiace, figlia mia. You’re absolutely right. You did nothing wrong. This is all his fault…and mine for letting him anywhere near you, leaving you all alone with that…” He growled, letting me go, and punched Domenico again.
Enzio ran a hand through his hair. “Oh for fuck’s sake. Just set a fucking date already and stop smashing my cousin’s face.”
“Don’t swear in front of my daughter,” Tino warned.
“Oh fuck me, like she has the cleanest mouth in town.” Enzio checked Domenico’s bleeding face, and he didn’t seem pleased. “Anyway, Dom made a mistake. You punched the shit out of him. He came to you out front to fix everything. All you gotta do is say when and where.”