All Chapters of Through Smoke and Steel: A Mafia Romance: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

❦ Rosalind ❦ The silence stretched uncomfortably. His face, though expressionless, still betrayed him. His nostrils twitched, and he fought the urge to break eye contact. “Not exactly. I’m sure you know everything there is to know.” “What is the largest money-making operation?” “The gambling rings and underground casino.” “Right. Then why do the Marinos and Contis so desperately want it? It can’t be for the money.” I insisted. They had their own assets and dealt in drugs and weapons. Viktor had accused me of knowing something about the Grand Marlow, something important. I had a feeling it was the key to the entire mystery. “It’s about power, Rosalind.” He drew up to his full height in his seat, setting down the pen with a quiet clink in its holder. “Power is not content. Everyone wants more and more. If one man could own the world, he would set it in his sights.” Feeling stuffy under his piercing gaze, I stood up to stand by the open window. A garden sculptor was sh

❄︎ Viktor ❄︎Vodka wasn’t helping.I exerted a great deal of control to prevent myself from making a mistake. That killing Orlov was a mistake rubbed me the wrong way.“You can’t keep me here, and I won’t give you any information. So why exactly am I here?” the pampered prick asked.“I have your partner in my custody. He’s pissed to hear that you’re walking free while he tastes metal every day.”He didn’t look surprised or bothered. His gaze flicked over the skin of the pole dancer in the middle of the room, dim lights accentuating his obvious lust.“You won’t get anything from him.”“Is that so?” I fixed my cuff.He smirked. “Cause he won’t fucking talk. He wouldn’t dare.”I rolled a sip of drink in my mouth. The Contis had something on Primo, which explained how they got him to antagonize me, and why he wouldn’t talk.“You’re trying to distract me from something bigger, aren’t you?” I leaned forward, ignoring the burn of protest from my charred back. “The Heiress.”He leaned back, r

❦ Rosalind ❦ The world seemed to quieten at my admission. I hadn’t meant to say it out loud. Not to him. I’d just admitted I was weak and could be hurt. Had been. My hands trembled on my thighs. I refused to twist my prosthetic finger, knowing it would give it away. I blinked the tears back, but they were heavy on my lids. I was grateful for the silence. But it didn’t last. “He hurt you?” I raised my head at his dangerous whisper. His eyes seemed darker, just as they did when he wanted to kill. Why? Did he feel protective over me? Or was this also just an act to get me to trust him? I apparently couldn’t trust anyone in my life as it is. I rose to my feet abruptly, needing fresh air. Needing to breathe. To forget. “I will not marry you, Viktor. I may be naive, but I’m not that stupid. I want you to release my soldato. Now that you know I’m innocent, you have no reason to hold him.” The evil look returned to his eyes. “Oh but I don’t know that, you see.” He stood u

❦ Rosalind ❦ The doorframe shuddered with the force I used to slam it shut.Rocco startled and got in position, his gun raised.“Give him a warning shot if he knocks again. Preferably on the kneecap,” I ordered dryly.Walking back to the kitchen, I snatched a steaming bun from Claudia’s tray.She cleaned her hands on her apron, pinning me with a disapproving stare. “You shouldn’t be so rude, Rosa. He brought you flowers.”“Trust me, Claudia, I don’t want flowers from the likes of him.”“Nonsense. Rocco, let him in. Back when you were in university, his father used to come over here for business and talk to your papa about you two.”I stopped chewing immediately.“What?”“Yes. I used to think you would get married to him, you see. Don Giancarlo seemed to like the idea very much. But your papa, well, such a smart man, God rest his soul, he never gave him a definitive answer.”The cogs in my head turned. Had Viktor been right? Did Orlov know who I was all that time at school?Orlov walk

❦ Rosalind ❦ My fingers hovered over my phone screen.The house was too cheery for the scattered beat of my heart at what I was doing, negotiating with the devil.I quickly typed out another message as Juliana circled me with a bottle of juice held like a mic, belting out Italian opera. Tantalizing smells wafted from the kitchen under Claudia’s busy hands, the sun streaming hopeful rays of light into the living area.But if you agree to my terms, I’ll reconsider. – Rosalind.I tapped the send icon, hoping I hadn’t let the seconds stretch too thin between the texts. I wouldn’t want to accidentally cause Dante’s death just for a small moment of victory.I’d seen reason in Marcus’s suggestion, but I wanted to rattle Viktor before I accepted by texting the refusal first.“How are you so happy?” I grumbled at Juliana, her cheery demeanor making me jealous.If only I wasn’t balancing a mafia position, keeping my head, and trying to outwit Viktor, I would look that happy and at peace, with