Page 166 of Barinov

Rez gives me a sharp, single nod, and I bolt.

I drop to my knees in the dirt, cupping his bruised and burning cheeks in my hands. He’s trembling. Drenched from head to toe in sweat and the scent of battle. I press a kiss to his forehead, tasting salt and copper.

“It’s okay, babe,” I whisper, my voice thick with relief. “You did it.”

Lex blinks, his eyes finally finding mine. The ice-blue returning like a clearing sky.

“Cade?”

“I’m here,” I tell him through my tears, holding him tight. “I’m here.”

Chapter 42

CADE

Roman Russo’s Estate - Appia Antica, Italy

65 days since Bella’s kidnapping.

I’ve spent my entire life dreaming of Rome through the bristles of my brushes and the worn leather of my sketchbooks. I imagined myself tucked away in a corner of the Piazza di Trevi, capturing the movement of water against marble while the scent of espresso hung thick in the air.

I pictured sketching Lex in front of the Pantheon. Him admiring the ancient beauty while simultaneously saying something mildly offensive about the cracked stones and overpriced masonry. Or painting Bella looking out over the Spanish Steps in the spring. Framing her in soft blooms and sunlight, knowing damn well I’d never be able to capture her beauty. No matter how many layers of pigment I laid down.

I never thought I’d come here for this. To stand in one of the most beautiful places in the world and watch one of the loves of my life bleed.

The car jostles over the uneven cobblestones, the vibration rattling up through my spine. Rain streaks the windows, blurring rows of cypress trees into dark smudges as Roman’s house comes into view.

But to be honest, calling it a house feels almost like an insult.

It’s a monument of pale cream travertine carved so seamlessly into the hillside as if the earth itself rose up to form its arches. An estate so pristine it makes my jaw nearly drop to the floor.

From its height, the Eternal City is sprawled out beneath us. St Peter’s dome catches the dying golden light of sunset. And further out, the Colosseum sits like a scar carved deep into the city’s skin. A reminder that this place was built on spectacle and blood.

A history that I fear we’re about to repeat.

The silence in the car presses in on all sides. Lex hasn’t spoken since we touched down. Hell, no one really has. The keycard for Bella and Luca’s twisted engagement masquerade activated yesterday, revealing the nearing date, time, and the exact house where she’s being held.

But we can’t do shit about it. Not until Knox and Laing crack those collars.

We were all clinging to that fragile, fraying hope that they could’ve got it done before we had to split up again. Before some of us had to hop on Air Chaos with Sky Daddy.

Before Lex has to bleed for her again.

The car comes to a stop.

A woman waits at the top of the steps. Her navy slacks and ivory silk blouse blowing in the wind as she clutches a black umbrella. Roman steps out first, walking up to her and pulling her into an embrace.

“Welcome home,” she says, kissing his cheek. She peers around him, her brown waves slipping over her shoulder. Her honey-brown eyes flick to us as we file out of the car. “I thought you were bringing more men?”

“Plans changed,” Roman says easily. “I’ll explain inside.”

She nods, placing a hand on his chest. “I was so worried about you.”

“I’m alright, Luce.” Roman smiles, pressing his lips to the back of her hand. “All healed.” He turns to the rest of us. “Everyone, I’d like you to meet my wife, Luciana.”

We all stand there, dripping wet.

“This is Lex and Cade,” Roman says to her.