Beautiful Assassin (Syndicate #1)

by Skyla Madi

  How depressing.

  I tug on my tie and toss it across the room before shrugging out of my jacket and unbuttoning my shirt. I kick off my leather shoes, remove my socks and my belt, drop onto her mattress, and sigh a hefty sigh. Her snow white sheets are cool and welcoming, and her mattress is softer than mine. It doesn’t take long for my eyes to get heavy and I finally drift away.

  Chapter Seventeen

  ∞ Cammie Connors ∞

  Christiano’s heavy hand is low on my exposed back as he guides me up the stairs and into the hall Gabriella hired out for this stupid party of hers. I catch a glimpse of my floor length evening dress. I’m so fond of its red lace material, its gorgeous mermaid silhouette, its bateau neckline, and the chiffon ribbons that wrap around the waist and drape down my sides. I had this dress stored at the Russos’ manor, waiting for the perfect moment to wear it.

  What a waste.

  Inside the hall, the two families mingle with fake smiles, pretending they don’t absolutely detest each other. I’d have believed the smiles on their faces if the air didn’t feel so volatile. One argument and this place will blow. I shuffle closer to Christiano.

  “I don’t want to be here,” I mutter as he adjusts his red tie.

  “Just smile and look pretty, Cammie.” He cuts his eyes at me. “No one expects anything else from you.”

  I flinch. You’d think he’d be nicer to me since I’ve been “missing” for the last month, but if anything, he’s been meaner than ever before. I thought he’d be grateful for my return at least, but once the initial ‘thank God you’re home’ kisses wore off, I was tossed aside like yesterday’s newspaper.

  He tried to push me into physically reconciling with him last night after he came back from finishing up with ‘business’ at the club. I almost gave in just to get him off my back, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. How could I? Just the thought of it makes my stomach turn. That made him angry, so angry I thought he was just going to take it, but once he saw the scars on my body, especially the one on my inner thigh, he recoiled from me. He tried to be nice about it, but I could see the disgust in his eyes.

  Christiano leads me around the room, greeting people as we go. They tread lightly around me as if I’ll shatter into a million pieces if they talk too loudly. As the night drags on and the crowd become less tense and more rowdy, I notice something is missing.

  Well, not something, but someone.

  “Where’s Tony?” I whisper, leaning in to talk into Christiano’s ear as he hands me a small flute of champagne.

  His strong jaw tightens as he swallows the entire contents of his flute in one mouthful. “Dead. Scorpions cut his head off and dropped it outside our gate.”

  I grimace as sadness strikes me in the stomach. “Oh.”

  I must admit the swirl of guilt inside me when my thoughts turn from Tony to Stefan. When Christiano says Scorpions, does he mean Stefan Valentino and Franco Moretti? I shake my head. I don’t even want to think about it.

  While Christiano engages his father in conversation, I sip at my champagne.

  That’s when I feel it.

  Feel him.

  Hair prickles along the back of my neck as the air around me becomes electrified, like it did when he was following me. I lift my stare from the red rose pinned to Marcus’s lapel to the space over his shoulder and there he is. The crowd swirls in front of us with flamboyant laughter and excited conversation, but they part long enough for our gazes meet.

  His dark, volcanic eyes trap me and my heart drops into my Christian Louboutin red bottom shoes. Stefan looks incredible in his crisp, black on black suit with his hair all rough and reckless.

  I’ve grown so accustomed to seeing him every day that I forgot how absolutely terrifying he is. If looks could kill…

  My spine trembles under his stare. Being away from him has created a storm in my chest. I want to be with him. I need to be with him. How can I get closer to him without Christiano breathing down my neck? I miss him. I want to feel him. I want to hold him.

  “Did you hear me?” Christiano demands, pulling me from my head.

  I look at Chris, who swipes at a wet spot on his white button-up shirt. How long was I distracted? Marco is no longer here.

  “Hm?”

  He snags my elbow and roughly tugs at me. “I said hurry up.”

  I scowl, planting my feet. “I’m sore, Christiano. Don’t pull me.”

  His furrowed brows soften into gentle curves and he leans in, planting a soft kiss on my neck. “Sorry, honey.” He holds out his elbow for me to take. “Better?”

  I nod, taking it in my hand. I set my flute on a passing tray, allowing Christiano to escort me across the room. I notice Chris’s demeanour change the closer we get to the bar. He straightens his broad shoulders and his spine and tugs me a little closer…

  …because of Stefan, who leans against the bar and engages in quiet conversation with the young, male bartender. I barely have time to react, to pull away and tell Chris I’m going to the bathroom.

  He can’t see us together. He’ll know straight away what we’ve done. There’s no way I can hide it.

  “Stefan Valentino,” Christiano calls and I pull on his arm.

  The mention of his name alone heats my blood.

  Chris turns to me with a confident smirk on his full lips. “Don’t worry. He’s not as scary as he looks.”

  That’s not what I’m worried about. I said this atmosphere is explosive. One spark and it’ll go up in flames. “Chris, I don’t think—”

  Stefan turns from the bar and my words are caught in my throat as his dark gaze sweeps up the length of my body before settling on Christiano. My God, he looks amazing. Clean and crisp. Christiano is tall, but next to Stefan? Not so much.

  “There’s the man who reunited me with my fiancée. I was beginning to think you weren’t going to show.” Christiano holds out his large hand for a handshake. “I misjudged you.”

  Stefan’s jaw visibly tightens, on and off, as he glances at Christiano’s open hand. My stomach drops.

  “Don’t be so sure.”

  I tug on Christiano’s arm again. “Chris…”

  He shrugs me off.

  “Be quiet,” he snaps, thinning his eyes at Stefan. “You think you’re better than me?”

  “No.” Stefan inches closer, so close people notice. They move in, Russos and Morettis, ready to go at a moment’s notice. “I know I’m better than you.”

  “Chris…” I whisper.

  If he stopped for a second, it would diffuse the situation. I touch him again and he whips his body in my direction.

  “Enough!” he booms and I jump as heat pools in my cheeks. “I’m busy.”

  Stefan’s nostrils flare as he clenches his large hands at his sides. “Speak to her like that again and I’ll—”

  “You’ll what?” Chris cuts in with a wicked smile. “What are you going to do?”

  “Stefan,” I mutter, earning a sideways glare from Christiano.

  I ignore him as Stefan looks at me and I tilt my head, a silent plea. Don’t make my life harder than it already is. He tilts his head and I can’t read the glimmer in his eyes. Turning away, Stefan slams back his drink and storms off without a look over his shoulder. It feels like the final nail has been hammered into my coffin.

  Christiano snatches my arm, pulling me against him.

  “What the fuck was that?” he demands, digging his fingers into my soft flesh.

  “Ow!” I hiss, struggling to break free from his grip. “Let go. You’re hurting me.”

  I squeak as he storms off, pulling me along behind him. People step out of his way as he curses and throws his tantrum. I struggle to keep up as he drags me out a side door and onto a stone balcony.

  “Get the hell out of here!” he screams at the people socialising around us and they flee inside, talking in hushed whispers.

  Embarrassment prickles at my eyes, forcing tears to well, and he lets me go with a shove. My
hair, once pinned elegantly on the top of my head comes loose as I stumble back. I swat away the thick strands of my caramel hair that now hang around my face.

  “Sit on that bench and don’t move for the rest of the night,” he demands, pointing to the little stone bench that runs alongside the wall. “We’ll talk about what just happened when I’m finished here, understood?”

  Without a word, I do as I’m told just to get him to leave me alone. When I’m seated, I kick off my shoes and press the hot soles of my feet to the cool stone beneath me.

  Christiano lingers by the door for a few seconds before whistling to someone inside. Less than a minute later, one of his men steps out onto the balcony and Chris talks as though I’m not even here.

  “Make sure she doesn’t move, and if you see that Stefan Valentino, I want you to put a bullet in his head. Got it?”

  “Yes, boss.”

  Christiano turns away, pauses, and then turns back. “Make sure you do it quietly. We still need Moretti’s help.” He glares at me. “You better behave while I’m gone.”

  I look away from him and stare out into the darkness. When he’s gone, the brute paces back and forth, looking at me every few seconds, like he’s afraid I’m going to bail. Where am I going to go? I roll my eyes.

  “Unh!”

  I gasp, shooting out of my seat as the brute is grabbed and pulled over the railing.

  I launch to my feet and rush over. I can’t see anything. It’s at least a two story drop. Tink. A glass of whiskey and ice is placed on the wall to my left and I slap my hand over my mouth to supress a squeal. My heart pounds like the hooves of a horse as they beat along the racetrack. I back up, preparing to run when large hands grip the stone. What the hell? With a grunt, the man pulls himself over the balcony and I cannot believe my eyes. I swipe at my tears as Stefan straightens his postures and smooths his palms down the front of his suit before grabbing his drink.

  He looks at me, smiling gently. “Hi.”

  I gape at him, clenching my chest. What just happened?

  “You look beautiful.”

  Something in my chest swells, only to be popped and deflated. Oh my God. He can’t be here. If Christiano sees him…he’ll kill him. I launch forward, pressing my hands against his taut stomach. He clenches against me, sucking air between his teeth. Sensations tear up my arms, but I force him back until his backside presses against the stone wall he just climbed over.

  “You can’t be here,” I whisper, desperately. “He’ll see you.”

  “Let him see me.” He sits against the wall and puts his drink down.

  I glance over my shoulder as people saunter past the exit. All it takes is one of them to look out and see us and we’re both screwed.

  “Please,” I whine, staring up into his beautiful face. “You have to go.”

  Twisting, he plucks a cube of ice from his drink. “No.”

  He takes my arm in his large hand and pulls it off of his body. My breath hitches as he presses the ice to my arm, sliding it up and down my red skin, easing the hurt Christiano caused.

  My tension eases at his gentle caress. Why am I not with this man instead?

  “I’m sorry…” Stefan mutters as the ice melts. “I never should have brought you back.”

  “Don’t worry about it. It’s nothing I’m not used to.”

  He flinches, grabbing another piece of ice.

  “I want to kill him, Cammie.” His grip tightens unintentionally, but I don’t mind it. “Lure him out here and I’ll do it right now.”

  “I thought you people don’t kill unless you get something for it in return.”

  “I get you,” he says, taking my hand. He lifts it to his mouth and kisses the back of my hand. “You’re worth more to me than any sum of money.”

  I lean against him, forgetting about the noise that surrounds us. His stare flicks to my lips and back.

  “Let’s go, Cammie. Forget all of these people.”

  “Why didn’t you say this yesterday?”

  “I wasn’t thinking straight.”

  He touches my hair and confusion manifests deep inside me. Can I run? It’s not too late?

  “I was going to leave for California tomorrow morning, but I’m taking a job in Melbourne instead. Come with me.”

  I frown. “How do these people hire you? How do they even contact you?”

  Smirking, he shrugs, smoothing his hands over my hips. “Secrets of the trade. Come to Melbourne and we can figure out the rest as we go.” He cranes his neck to brush his lips against mine. “Please.”

  I touch my lips to his. A single kiss that warms my soul. “Okay.”

  “What the—?”

  I jolt and Stefan snags me tightly before I have the chance to pull away. I look over my shoulder at Christiano, who glares from the door, surrounded by his men. From the waistband of his black slacks, Christiano pulls out his handgun. My heart stops.

  “I should have known,” he seethes through clenched teeth. “Come here, Cammie.”

  He lifts the gun and I’m tugged harshly as Stefan tucks me safely behind his body. I press my cheek to his warm back, and listen to the rapid pulse of his heart. Please don’t shoot him. Please don’t shoot him.

  “Don’t think I won’t shoot you, Valentino.”

  “You’re going to have to if you want to get to her.” His voice rumbles in his chest and vibrates my cheek.

  My breath comes and goes fast, so fast I feel breathless.

  “Cammie,” Christiano booms, choosing to go for the easier target. “I’ll pull the trigger. You know I will.”

  I step out from behind Stefan, and he stops me with a firm palm against my stomach, but it’s too late. Christiano turns his gun on me.

  “Let her go. Or I shoot her.”

  Cursing, Stefan lowers his hand and I inch my way toward Christiano. When I make it within arm’s reach, one of his men grabs me and bang!

  No! Stefan hits the floor with a deafening roar and I scream, shooting forward only to be caught by Christiano, who wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me back.

  “Kill him!” he demands, and my vision become blurry as Stefan rolls onto his side and the men descend on him.

  “Stefan!”

  I hear the sound of boots colliding with flesh and Stefan’s grunts and groans as Christiano throws me over his shoulder. Inside the hall, people are frozen watching me sob as he carries me out the door, down two flights of stairs, and out into the parking lot.

  “You make me sick,” he spits, carrying me like I weigh nothing.

  I ignore him. They’re going to kill Stefan. What’s going to happen to me?

  Christiano dumps me on the asphalt beside his car. I suck air between my teeth, in pain as my bones collide with the rock hard surface.

  He bends low and I cower, hysterical, as he leans into my face, exhaling his alcohol scented breath all over me. “This whole time I thought you were suffering, but you were having the time of your life fucking him?”

  I hear footsteps as people scatter away from us, no one coming to my aid. Why would they? Who knows what Chris would do to them if they stepped in?

  “It’s not like I wanted it to happen like this,” I cry, swiping at my face. “It wasn’t supposed to happen like this.”

  My makeup runs. I can feel it, thick and oily, as it runs down my face and burns my eyes.

  “How was it supposed to happen, huh?” He snatches my hair in his fist and pulls my head back. It hurts. It hurts so much. “You’re disgusting.”

  He tugs me to my feet, pulls the passenger door open, and shoves me inside. I slam into the leather on an awkward angle, hitting my cheekbone on the centre console. I clench my face, correcting my position on the seat as Christiano slams the door.

  I break down in the silence, my sobs becoming uncontrollable. Is this how it ends for me? At the hands of my abuser?

  “How could you do this to me? You know what he did to my family! He killed my brother, my uncles. You betrayed
me, you betrayed your family for…for…for him?”

  “Now you finally know what betrayal feels like,” I cry into my hands.

  “What’d you say?”

  “I said—”

  He slaps my hands away. “Look me in the face when you’re talking to me.”

  I scowl at him. “I said, now you know what betrayal feels like.”

  “I never betrayed you.” His hard, angry voice cracks, but he covers it well. “Not like this.”

  “How you’re feeling now is how I felt all those times you betrayed me.”

  “I don’t want to hear it.”

  Christiano hits the start button on his car and zooms out of the parking lot. In a panic, I clip my seatbelt into place and cover my face. He drives fast, so fast my heart no longer feels like it’s in my chest.

  He speeds through the city, weaving through traffic and screeching around corners. It’s only a matter of time before the police chase us.

  “Where are we going?”

  Growling, Chris lashes out and slaps my face. I grunt as pain slashes across my cheek.

  “You don’t get to ask questions. Whores should be seen and not heard.”

  I watch the world race past. Tree after tree. Lamp post after lamp post. The longer he drives, the further we get out of the city. Is he going to kill me?

  Chunk. Sparks ignite from Chris’s side mirror and I gasp. What the hell was that?

  “Who’s shooting at us?” he shouts, pulling his shoulders up.

  Shooting? Hope ignites in my chest and I shout as another bullet ricochets off the car. Chris swerves and I dig my fingers into my seat.

  “Look what you’ve done!” he shouts. “He’s a fucking mad man!”

  “Just pull over, please. No one has to get hurt.”

  Stefan gains on us and, a second later, another bullet hits.

  “You think he likes you for you?” He laughs cruelly. “He’s only doing it to fuck with me. He doesn’t care about you.”

  I grit my teeth. How would he know? He wasn’t there. Stefan has cared more for me in the last month than Christiano has in an entire decade.

  “Why would he?” Christiano continues. “You’re not fun. You work too much, you bitch, you moan, you pop pills, and you don’t enjoy sex.” Chris shudders. “You’re fucking boring, Cammie. No one will put up with your shit. Not like me. No one could ever love you like I did, and that’s a guarantee.”