“Do you know why?”
“Yes,” she blurts, quick and desperate. “And I’ll tell you everything—God, burn my father’s house down with him for all I care—but you have to promise to help me find my sister.”
There it is.
Loyalty.
I’d die for mine too. But that doesn’t mean I take terms from anyone.
I smirk, just inches from her lips. “I think you forgot whose hands you’re in. My territory. My men at every corner. And you’re still trying to bargain?”
Her soul pulses again, an unclear hum that shouldn’t make sense to me… but it does. It tugs at my senses. Pulls me closer.
What the fuck is wrong with that woman?
No.
What the fuck is wrong withme?
I inhale sharply, clenching my fists to keep from losing control.
“Kill me if you see fit. I don’t fucking care—”
She jerks her head to the side, breaking our gaze.
“But save my sister, Diana. Please. I don’t know what kind of sick torture she’s enduring right now.”
“And here’s just another spoiled princess to save…” I mutter through clenched teeth.
Why is this suddenly my responsibility?
“What?”
She snaps her head toward me, eyes narrowing. “Spoiled princess?”
She struggles against the ridiculous fabric of her gown as she pushes to her feet—
I take a step back just in time to avoid catching her head under my chin.
“Do you haveanyidea how many scars I’ve hidden under this ridiculous dress? How many bruises I had to cover and swallow down for years just because I wasn’t born with a fucking dick between my legs? I was set to fail from the beginning. Meandmy sister.”
She doesn’t wait for a response, just draws in another breath and keeps going.
“The only reason I’m still alive is because I ran my father’s damn strip club like a machine—kept Diana in line, kept quiet, followed orders. You want leverage?" she snaps. "Fine. I’ll give it. I don’t care what you do to me. But don’t pretend you don’t know what it means to protect your family," she shakes her head, exhausted. "You helped Diana before, because yougetit. So don’t stand there and act like you’re going to walk away now.”
She’s panting by the end of it, chest heaving in that suffocating dress. Whether it’s her rage or whatever’s wrong with her, I can’t tell—but her soul is humming again.
“Bright. Save—”
What the hell does that whisper mean?
“Malec.”
Alessio steps in closer. “You alright, cugì?”
Only then do I realize my hands are trembling. I shove them quickly into my pockets and focus back on her. If we get her sister too… that’s one more card to play. One more reason to burn this whole marriage plot to the ground. Even if her sister’s too young, Fedor would use her if it means still gaining power.
“Okay,” I say, voice low. “I’ll get your sister out. But you stay here, and when I bring her in, she does too. Youbothfollow my lead. No exceptions.”
