“What?” I look at him.
He gets out from the passenger side and walks around to open the driver’s door for me. Taking my hand, he helps me out of the sedan.
“I don’t ever want to see your hand touch a door whenever you’re with me.” He holds my arm tight and stares into my eyes.
“Okay,” I whisper.
Stepping away from Dominic, the first thing that catches my eye is the winged lion fountain. The French limestone gleams in the light as we walk the wide stone staircase to the front door. Towering cypress trees stand like sentinels against the house, guarding whatever secrets Madeline is keeping from us.
Dominic presses the doorbell.
My stomach twists in knots as I stare at the double panels of black lacquer framed in polished brass. How can I explain all of this without losing my temper? Madeline is never going to admit if she’s behind this. How can I get her to slip up?
My burner shakes in my pocket.
It’s a message from Enzo.
We can’t find the fish.
Jesus Christ, this fish has a broken knee. How hard can it be to find him?
The door opens and the butler stands before in his formal coat and gloves. His expression is neutral. “Here to see Ms. Toma again?”
“Yes.”
“Well, Ms. Toma is rather busy right now. Maybe you should come back later.”
I take a step forward and look him in the eyes. “I need to see Madeline right now. I’m not taking no for an answer. She can either see me now or I will tear this place down bit by bit until I drag her out to talk to me. You know I have the manpower to do this.”
The butler clears his throat as a look of disgust crosses his face. “Very well. Right this way.”
We follow him through the foyer. Marble floors gleam beneath our feet and crystal chandeliers cast tiny rainbows on the walls.
Moments later we're back in the solarium. Madeline is seated in her high-back beige silk chair with a porcelain teacup poised in her manicured hands. A strange sense of déjà vu comes over me.
“Cipriani Capuano.” She sets her cup on the glass coffee table while giving me an icy glare. “How dare you set foot into my home after what you did.”
“Excuse me?” I fold my arms and return her glare.
“My Elio has a broken knee, thanks to you.” Madeline rises to her feet.
“Well, your Elio shouldn’t have sold my sister for profit,” I snap.
She fingers the pearls around her neck. “Elio would never do that. He is very fond of your sister.”
I take a step closer. “Where is he?”
“I don’t know where he is. He is a grown man.”
“A grown man with a broken knee who can’t go far unless someone is helping him.” I’m so close to Madeline now that her floral perfume is poisoning my nostrils. I cough.
“I think we all need to sit down and have a little chat,” Dominic places a hand on my shoulder.
“Very well.” Madeline walks over and sits down. “Would you like some tea?”
I wave my hand as I sink into the couch across from her with Dominic at my side. “No thank you.” Who knows what kind of poison could be in that.
I’m about to open my mouth when Dominic places his hand over mine.
