Page 104

“I said you need to ask nicely,” I smirk.

“I’m not calling you ‘Daddy’ when we’re discussing my dad,” she retorts, outrage coating her words.

A part of me wants to keep pushing her and not stop until my Kira’s fully in front of me. “I never said you had to.” I tilt her head up so she has no choice but to meet my gaze. “But you can still ask nicely.”

She lets out a small growl. “Stop playing games, Domenico.”

“Ask. Me. Nicely.”

“Tell me what the hell you’ve been up to.”

I move my hand back to her throat, and this time, I squeeze until her breath stutters. “Fucking ask me.”

She shakes her head and croaks, “No.”

Leaning forward, I press my lips to hers. “Good girl,” I murmur, letting go of her.

Abandoning the rest of the food, I push my plate away and prop one arm up on the island to rest my head against as I sit sideways, facing my wife.

This position brings me almost eye-level with Kira.

“Your dad disappeared before my men could reach him,” I continue. “So Paolo, Gio, and I went to NovaGen instead.”

Her eyes find mine. Hazel, bloodshot, ringed with shadows so dark they look painted on. “And?”

“And several people who authorized what happened to your mom are dead.” I keep my voice even. Matter-of-fact. “Their CEO is alive because he’s useful. For now.”

She absorbs this without flinching. Her jaw works once, a muscle jumping beneath the skin, and then she looks down at her plate.

“Did they suffer?” she asks.

Now there’s a question I never thought I’d hear from my wife. Especially not when it’s asked with just the hint of hope wrapped around each word.

“Some of them,” I reply. “But honestly, that wasn’t the point of the mission. The CEO will, though.”

I go on to explain that NovaGen has stopped Harry’s payments and is reversing whatever transactions they can. I also tell her that every account and asset her dad has is frozen and untouchable.

“Really?” she asks, eyes wide with… something.

“Mm,” I confirm.

There it is, the almost smile makes a one-second appearance before disappearing again.

“Are you going to kill him?” Her question almost comes out on a whisper.

“Which ‘him’?”

“The CEO.”

“Yes,” I confirm. “Once he’s outlived his usefulness, I will.”

“And my dad?”

The question hangs between us, heavier than the others. I consider softening it, wrapping it in something less final than the truth. But she deserves better than that. She’s earned the raw version.

“Yes.” I hold her gaze. “When he surfaces. And he will surface, because money is the only thing he gives a fuck about, and right now he has none.”

Her hand trembles slightly as she lifts it to my face, resting her soft palm against my rough cheek. “Will you tell me when you find him?”