Page 85 of Vicious Kingdom

The words fit the scene.

The magnificent woman, so full of life, brought over a cup, the saucer balanced on her palms.

“Thank you,” I said gruffly.

Despite my rough tone, she smiled.

Fuck me. I was powerless against the pull of her.

“Anna, please, sit,” the don intoned, switching from brother to businessman. “I asked for this meeting because my wife suggested you might be able to help us with a little problem.”

“Anything.” Annaliese took her own cup of tea, sipped the steaming liquid, and winced.

I jolted. She’d burnt her tongue. That wicked little pink tongue that I wanted to feel against my own. To feel against my body.

But right now wasn’t the time.

Adjusting myself and struggling to hide the desire, I took a seat on a chair across the room. Distance—distance was good. It framed this scene in a different perspective.

“Callahan Voss is running for political office, and your father is his friend,” Sandro stated.

Annaliese nodded. “Dad’s ambitious. He’s been trying to get into politics for years, but the politicians keep using his media company then screwing him over.”

“I remember the mayor’s cleanup campaign. It came right after you left—for Germany, right?” Sandro steepled his hands, flicking a glance at where his wife perched on the edge of his desk.

“I was the one who warned Serena, if that’s what you’re wondering.” Annaliese sat up straighter. “I overheard a conversation, and I didn’t want anything to happen to my friend. To her family.”

I felt Anna’s attention and dropped my gaze to my own tea rather than meet her gaze. Reality was sinking in. There were moments, like earlier, where she was just Anna—the girl who I was infatuated with. And then there was this. The stark reminder of who she really was.

“Voss’s policies aren’t good. He’s been strong-arming a few players in the underworld, threatening to expose them if they don’t pay.” The don took a sip of his tea. “Blah! That’s disgusting.”

“It’s good for you.” Penelope patted his head. “Drink up. Can’t have you getting another chill.”

“Has he threatened you?” Annaliese leaned forward.

Her tonesoundedgenuine.

Years of business dealing honed my very being. Suspicion flickered through me. Fuck me, I didn’t want to feel that way! I wanted to believe she was invested in protecting our family. That she had kept our secrets and would continue.

But were we stupid for this blind trust?

“Not yet, but if he does, I want my own dirt on him,” the don said, getting to the heart of the matter. “It seems like your father’s company is covering up something, and I want to know what that is.”

Annaliese brightened. Her whole body came alive with the challenge. “I can snoop around! I rarely go to their offices, but I can. And Dad keeps his laptop at home, so it shouldn’t be too tricky to break into it.”

Cacchio! She was turning against her own family!

I set my teacup on the floor to keep it from rattling in my shaking grasp. What were we doing? This was madness! She would never choose us over blood. If Sandro wasn’t walking into a trap, he was setting himself up for one to be made. How could he sit there and trust her?

How could I?!

She lied once before.

She kept secrets.

This was too much. The feelings in my chest were conflicted. I was hopelessly and infinitely lost to her—daughter of our enemy.

“I have to go,” I said abruptly.