Page 91 of Vow Of Fire

“He’s far from that,” Dante muttered.

I didn’t comment. This world was one I had no experience in, and I wasn’t sure I wanted any either. But then, I was stuck in the middle of this organized crime triangle, and the only way I was going to get out alive, and with my gallery intact, was to do what I was told. Even if it meant crossing the line and working for the Marcellis.

I noticed Dante’s rigid expression, his locked jaw and the hard line of his mouth, and felt a flutter of anticipation in my belly. I’d much rather be working with the Marcellis than Malakov or the cartel.

“My enemy’s enemy,” I whispered.

Valentina smiled for the first time since walking into the cabin. “Now you’re getting it. Once they’re at war, it will destabilize both organizations. If we help it along with a few strategic hits of our own, with a bit of luck, Malakov will take out the cartel for us.” She brushed her hands together as if to dust off imaginary crumbs.

I exhaled, staring at her in wonder. How did she sleep at night knowing all that blood would be on her hands? She was talking about starting a war.

“They’ll back off and relinquish our supply route and the gallery takeover,” Dante finished, locking eyes with his mother.

I saw the same predatory gleam, the same need to dominate, and a shiver ran through me. How could I sleep with a man who would senselessly kill to benefit his own family? His own business? Then again, he would have killed me if I’d been the one to betray him.

An acid taste rose in my throat and I swallowed it, determined not to show how affected I was by the reality of my situation.

“Unless, of course, you don’t have the guts?” Valentina said, still facing Dante.

She meant me.

I drew in a long, slow breath. “If it means getting my life back, I’m in.”

Valentina looked at me and I was sure I saw a glimmer of respect there, or maybe it was satisfaction. She was about to move her pawn across the board.

“Evelyn—” Dante protested.

“You heard her, Dante,” Valentina cut in. “Evelyn clearly knows a good deal when she hears it.”

I didn’t miss the condescending note in her voice, but she was right about one thing. I did know how to spot a deal, and in this case, I didn’t see how I had any other choice. It was either hide out here until the cartel came looking for me or be proactive and get my gallery back.

The Marcellis, the Malakovs, and the cartel were all terrible people. If they wanted to scheme and plot and murder each other, who was I to stop them?

My gut clenched. I hated that part of me was already rationalizing it, but survival had a way of blurring lines. I hadn’t asked for any of this.

“She’s going to need protection,” Dante said, and I could tell by his stance, he meant it.

“Rocco can babysit her.”

Dante’s face turned thunderous. “No. Rocco’s a brute. I don’t want him anywhere near her.”

Valentina’s eyebrow quirked. “My, my. Seems Izzy was right.”

He glared at her. I didn’t know what Izzy had said, but Dante obviously didn’t like it.

“So what do you recommend?” Valentina asked him, leaning back in her chair.

Dante hesitated, then said, “She comes to stay with me.”

“What?” I blurted, staring at him as if he’d gone mad.

For the first time since arriving at the cabin, Valentina looked genuinely surprised.

“You can’t stay at yours, you’ve got a broken front door and the cartel know where you live,” Dante pointed out, turning back to me.

Okay, so maybe he had a point.

“I’ll stay somewhere else, then,” I said stubbornly. The idea of staying with him, in his space, all the time… My breath caught. It was too much. I’d be in the devil’s lair. No better than a prisoner here at the cabin.