Soulless Devil (Sons of Valentino #3)(53)

“Yet. But you will be.”

My phone lights up with an incoming text. I open it without thinking and read the contents.

Unknown:



You’re on borrowed time. Enjoy it while it lasts. They weren’t supposed to let you live. I paid to get you out of the picture. I guess you have to do some things yourself.





My hands shake as I reread the message. Izzy snatches the phone from me and frowns at the screen. “Who the fuck sent you this?” she yells.

“I don’t know.” I’m trying to keep the tears at bay. I’m doing my best not to panic. It takes a moment for my brain to register that Izzy is walking down the hall. I jump up and follow her into Luca’s room. Sitting on the bed, Izzy cracks open his laptop and starts typing. “What are you doing?” I ask her.

She glances up at me. “Who’s Samantha June?” she asks.

I roll my eyes. “Some cheerleader who wants Romeo. Why?”

“She’s not too bright. Idiot sent that message from her own phone.”

“Wait… she knows. She said they weren’t supposed to leave me alive. How does she know…?”

“Livvy, get dressed. We’re going out, and you’re getting initiated into the family.”





Chapter Twenty-Nine





Three days later

They found Savvy. It’s been three fucking days of looking for her. I haven’t seen Livvy for three fucking days. She’s been with Izzy, so I know she’s safe and we’ve spoken on the phone a little. But mostly I’ve been combing the streets, trying to get any word, any intel on where the fuck Savvy’s been. No one knows a thing. Not a single fucking soul. The only detail that came to light was that Petrov ordered Matteo’s house burnt to the ground.

Apparently, the fucker I dumped at the hospital as a parting gift woke up. His tongue might not have worked but his fucking hands did, and he typed out the message I left for them.

I killed Dmitri. Petrov is out for blood. Blood he won’t get out of me or any of my family. I’m about to make sure of it. Now that I know Savvy is safe, I’m going to finish the job I should have completed weeks ago. I’m sitting out front of the café the Petrovs frequent. I’ve been here for hours. I was in and out in thirty minutes. The whole place is set to blow.

Just as soon as the fuckers walk in and get settled.

Once I see their cars maneuver onto the street, I turn out of my parking spot and drive around the corner. I pull up the café’s camera feed on my laptop. The Russians strut inside and sit at the table in the back. Just like I expected them to. Two stand guard at the door. I don’t hesitate before I press the button on my phone. The screen on my laptop goes black as the noise from the explosion deafens the streets. And I drive away with a satisfied smile. I just rid the fucking earth of scum. It’s a good fucking feeling. Now I can go home to Livvy.

Just as I’m pulling into the underground garage, my father’s name lights up my phone.

“Pops, how you doing?”

“Romeo, what happened to coming to me first before you went rogue?” he says in greeting.

Shit, he knows I just blew the whole Petrov family tree to smithereens. “I knew you’d tell me no. Forgiveness is easier to ask for than permission. You taught me that, remember?”

“Don’t use my own words on me, son. What you did was dangerous.”

“They fucking raped my girlfriend, Pops. Did you really think I wasn’t going to put an end to them?”

“No, I didn’t. What I thought was that you’d let me fucking help you.” He sighs. “Bring Livvy to Sunday dinner this weekend. I think it’s about time we meet the girl who’s got you all twisted up.”

“Sure. But, just so you know, I’m marrying her, Pops. Don’t fucking scare her off.”

“She’s dating you, Romeo. If she ain’t scared by now, I doubt much else will send her running.” He laughs.

“Funny.” I exaggerate the word. “I’ll see you Sunday.” Hanging up the phone, I walk into the elevator and hit the penthouse button. I need to see my girl. It’s been too fucking long. When I walk into the apartment, I find Izzy and Livvy on the sofa watching some rom-com.

“Romeo!” Livvy squeals, jumping up and running at me. I catch her when she throws her arms around my neck, holding her up as she wraps her legs around my waist and slams her lips down on mine. This is a greeting I could get used to coming home to. “Don’t ever leave me for that long again,” she says between kisses.

“Are you okay?” I ask her, pulling back and letting my eyes take in as much of her face as I can.

“I’m okay,” she says.

“I’m sorry I had shit to do.”

“All right, kids, I’m heading out. Romeo, call me,” Izzy says, passing us on her way to the foyer.

“So what’d you get up to while I was gone?” I ask Livvy, sitting on the sofa with her in my lap.

“I, uh… not much really.”

“What aren’t you telling me?”

“I got a message. It was from Samantha. Izzy saw it and took me to confront her.”

“Confront who?”

“Samantha?”