By Virtue I Fall (Sins of the Fathers #3)(27)

Maurice and I strode out into the backyard of the mansion. It was still warm and I could feel the heat rise through the soles of my shoes as we crossed the expensive marble tiles surrounding the pool area. The music was so loud, I was surprised none of the neighbors had called the police yet. Either they had been bribed or Clark’s connection to the Outfit was having effects.

Maurice led me toward a more secluded part of the premises down by a pond which was lined by a few tall trees. A bench perched on the very edge of the pond. Maurice and I settled on it, our legs touching. We chatted for a bit but I could tell his mind was already on another task. His gaze was now practically glued to my lips.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Santino step out onto the porch. I wasn’t sure if he could see us from his vantage point because our part of the backyard wasn’t as brightly lit as the rest.

But he’d find us. That was his job after all.

I batted my lashes at Maurice and bit my lower lip. He didn’t need another invitation. One of his arms came around my back and with the other, he cupped my head and kissed me. He wasn’t as hesitant as Clifford had been and the kiss was much more enjoyable. Of course, it couldn’t hold a candle to Santino’s kiss. Still I found myself being pleasantly surprised. Paying Santino back at least proved a nice experience. His palm traveled down my back until it rested right above my ass and our kiss picked up pace. My body didn’t spring to life like it had done with Santino but I could imagine getting into it more after a while.

Suddenly Maurice was ripped away from me. It took me a moment to understand what had happened. Maurice’s kiss had actually made me forget the reason for the kiss in the first place.

Maurice sat on the ground with Santino standing over him. Maurice let out a string of French curses then lunged at Santino. My eyes widened. Bad idea.

Within a minute, Santino had Maurice back on the ground, face first. Santino’s knee pressed into Maurice’s back, and his expression suggested he wanted to break his spine.

“Santino,” I warned. “Maurice doesn’t know who I am.”

Santino’s cold smile hit me and sent a shiver down my back. “Maybe you should let guys know before you kiss them that they’re risking their lives by touching you.”

“Get off!” Maurice growled in English.

Santino dug his knee deeper into his back, making him groan in pain.

“Are you her boyfriend?”

“Bodyguard,” I said quickly and moved to their side. I grabbed Santino’s shoulder, feeling his muscles flex under my fingertips.

“Santino.”

Santino straightened and finally released Maurice who immediately shoved to his feet but kept his distance to us. “Bodyguard? You’re famous?”

Santino sneered. “She’s a mafia princess, so you stay the fuck away from her unless you want me to break your spine.”

Maurice seemed to think Santino was joking but a look at my apologetic face had his eyes go wide. He shook his head with another string of French curses. “You Americans are completely crazy.” He went off without another word.

Santino grabbed my arm and dragged me away, but not back toward the party instead toward the driveway.

“What are you doing? It’s not even midnight yet! I didn’t get the chance to congratulate Clifford.”

“If you think I’ll stay another second at this party so I can watch you let Clifford cop a feel as his birthday present, you’re very mistaken. If you think getting it on with horny teenage boys is the way to piss me off, then you don’t know me.”

“By your standards, I should probably seduce Clark Senior. I won’t ever sink as low as you, Santino.”

“Give it some time, considering your behavior in the last few weeks, I’d say you’re on a good way.”

“You want me to be a good girl? Then stop being such a dick.”

We arrived at the car. Luisa was already inside.

Santino leaned down, his eyes burning with rage. “Who ever said I want you to be a good girl?”

Oh holy shit. “You want me to be a good girl around other guys.” I moved even closer, grabbing his shirt. “But deep down you want me to keep my naughty side only for you.”

Santino gripped my hand and pried it off. “I’m not playing your games, Anna. And you better stop playing them. Next time I see you with another guy, I’m going to break his bones, no matter who he is, even Clark Senior.”

“I’ll stop kissing other guys if you stop banging other women.”

He laughed darkly. “This isn’t a negotiation.”

“So you think you can fuck Mrs. Clark, and I’ll just sit back and watch like a good little girl.”

“We aren’t anything, Anna. So me fucking whoever I want isn’t your fucking business.”

“It is if you’re doing it while on the job.”

“Get in the car, now. This discussion is over. I’ll keep fucking Mrs. Clark and every other woman I want, and you keep your legs closed until Cliffy feels ready to marry and pops your cherry.”

He threw the door shut in my face and engaged the locks. I let out an enraged cry and gave him the finger.

He smirked and turned, heading back to the house.

Luisa stared at me with shock-widened eyes. “Wow. You two will end up killing each other. Maybe you should take another bodyguard to Paris with you.”