But when I finally tear my eyes away to look at my friend, it’s to find my anger reflected back at me.
Suddenly, someone grabs my collar and pulls me backward with a sharp jerk.
“Listen here, Your Majesty. I don’t care what it costs me. You go back there and kill that bastard,” Mia hisses in my ear as a kitchen knife presses threateningly against my neck.
Honestly, this woman terrifies me more than my father.
“Stand down, Chiavari,” I hiss right back. “We’re already working on it.”
Mia slowly lets me go.
“Take a seat.”
She slips into the chair next to Teo, offering him a curt nod. “Princeling.”
“Wench.”
He holds out his hand, and she rolls her eyes before resentfully handing over her weapon.
“What’s the plan?”
“I need you to clear out the office upstairs,” I tell her, although my eyes wander back to the stage.
“Do you want me to lay out the tarp?”
Teo answers for me. “We can’t kill him yet. But Rocco has a plan to get her out, at least.”
“Give me my knife back, and I’ll do it myself!”
“He’s on the list, Chiavari,” Teo explains. “Our hands are tied.”
“I’ll make it look like an accident.”
“Mia,” I tear myself away from Cas’ performance to intercept the redhead’s warpath, “don’t complicate things for me. That’s an order.”
Her green eyes narrow, but I see the resignation in her eyes. Despite all her bravado, I’m still her don.
“Make sure they’re both upstairs at the end of the show. Don’t leave her alone with him.”
“Never again,” she mutters her agreement as the three of us watch in sullen silence as Cas finishes her song.
As the room erupts in applause, Mia takes her leave—only to hesitate at my shoulder. “You mess this up, you hurt her…I will tear both of you a new one.”
With that, she saunters back into the crowd.
“Remind me why we put up with her again?” Teo murmurs.
“Her father has single-handedly funded the Guild for decades?”
“I’m starting to think it’s not worth it.”
We spend the rest of Cas’ performance slowly nursing our drinks and trying not to watch the clock. By the time she announces her final song, I’m already on my feet.
Teo is only two steps behind me as we stride across the room toward the staircase. A nod from Mia is all the confirmation we need—the office is clear, and no one will be disturbing us tonight.
When Mia appears at the door ten minutes later, Cas and Lazzaro are in tow, and her face is set into a grim line of determination.
I’ve taken the time to make myself comfortable behind my desk, leaning back in the ancient leather seat with practiced ease. Teo lounges on the couch by the fireplace, feigning disinterest as he palms through one of the bookcases’ many tomes.
