Ruthless Prince (The Mancini Mafia #2)

Chapter 8

Chapter

Eight

VINCENT

I win the next few rounds of competition despite my broken rib. Pushing through the pain, I punch and kick my way through rounds five and six with relative ease. My opponents are no match me. I’m riding on determination to meet Nico Mancini so I can finally kill him.

I just can’t get distracted by Ellie in the meantime.

We give each other little smiles and looks when we run into each other at the house, but otherwise, we keep our distance. I would like to close that distance, but I’m not about to risk all I’ve worked for just to get into Ellie’s pants.

Besides, I respect her. Unlike the women I’ve taken home before, I have a deeper connection with Ellie. We both know what it’s like to have hardass fathers. We both know what it’s like to feel constricted by them.

But it’s also because of these reasons that I just want to talk and get to know her. I’m playing a dangerous game with Mr. Moore. He doesn’t want me getting involved with Ellie, so I can’t. And after the assassin attack, I don’t want Ellie to get hurt because of me.

I need to push her from my mind.

After I change back into my normal clothes after my most recent fight, I leave the locker room and am swarmed by a group of women, which isn’t unusual.

What is unusual, though, is seeing Ellie in the crowd watching me back. I quickly look away from her and focus my attention on a pretty brunette.

“What’s your name?” I ask her.

“Sarah.”

“Want to get out of here?”

We leave the club together, and I don’t even look back to see if Ellie is watching. If she is, does she look upset? I can’t bare the thought. She can’t be mine. She can never be mine. And after what happened with the assassin, my entire being puts her in danger.

It does cross my mind when I end up at Sarah’s apartment that she could be another assassin. But unlike Rachel, she doesn’t try to kill me. Instead, we make out for a while. It’s fun and easy. It’s what I’m used to.

But fuck it, I can’t stop picturing Ellie in my mind. Seeing her in nothing but a towel made me harder than I’ve ever been in my entire life. I want her more than anything.

Of course, she’s the one woman who’s off limits to me.

I focus harder on kissing Sarah to push Ellie from my mind. Right now, all that matters is winning the competition. All that matters is earning the money and starting a new life for myself out from under my father’s thumb.

All that matters is killing Nico Mancini.

When Sarah takes her shirt off, I know we’re going to fuck. It’s the usual course of action.

But seeing her shirtless only makes me want Ellie more.

“I can’t do this,” I say, pulling away from her.

Sarah frowns. “What do you mean?”

“I’m sorry.” Without giving her an explanation, I leave and head back to Mr. Moore’s house.

I run into Ellie the moment I step through the front door.

“Have fun?” she asks. Is it me or do I detect a hint of anger in her tone?

I sigh, rubbing the back of my neck. “She wasn’t an assassin, if that’s any consolation.”

“I’m just glad you made it home safe.” She starts to turn away from me, but I gently grab her arm, stopping her.

“Were you waiting up for me?”

Ellie can’t look at me as she answers. “No.”

“I was just wondering. Because it seemed like you were.”

“Not everything is about you, Vincent.”

“Are you angry with me?”

“Why would I be angry with you? You don’t owe me anything. You’re allowed to go home with whoever you want. That’s a privilege not all of us have.”

I drop my hand from her arm. “Ellie, I know your dad can be controlling, but you’re an adult. Have you never thought about trying to leave?”

“Of course, I have. But he has all the power. I have no skill sets. My father never wanted me to work. I wouldn’t be qualified for any type of job. He’s holding my inheritance over my head so I’ll stay and do what he wants. It’s not that simple.” She places her hands on her hips. “Why didn’t you think about leaving your father? You’re an adult, too.”

“Because it wasn’t that simple,” I admit. “You’re right. It’s never that simple. Igor had a hold over me even when I didn’t want him to.”

“The same with my father. But unlike you, I can’t just go off with any man. My father would be so ashamed of me, and he’d kill any man who tried to have me. He’ll kill you, Vincent.”

“We’re not doing anything wrong.”

“Then why are you standing so close to me?” she whispers.

I didn’t even realize I was until she points it out to me. “I didn’t have sex with her tonight.” I’m not sure why I say it other than I want Ellie to be proud of me.

“You didn’t?”

“No. I couldn’t stop thinking of you.”

She lets out a long, slow breath. “Vincent, we can’t do this. You can’t look at me like you’re looking at me right now.”

“How am I looking at you?”

“Like you want to kiss me,” she admits.

“I do want to kiss you.” I know I shouldn’t say it, but it’s out there now.

“And that’s the problem.” She walks away before I can say anything else. I could follow her, but I don’t. Ellie did the right thing by leaving.

I’m doing the wrong thing by wanting her.