Page 40 of His Pet

“Settimo thinks it would be reckless to keep her at this point, and I agree.”

I push off the wall and stride away from them, heading for the exit. Rage fuels each of my steps and a red haze enters my vision.

“Lorenzo, calm down,” Anthony says, jogging up to me. He stops in front of me and presses a hand to my chest, but I push him out of my way.

“Settimo isn’t happy about any of this, and he’s blaming you for provoking Valentine. He’s already questioning your judgement. This isn’t a fight you want to have.”

I don’t slow, and Anthony jumps in front of me again, blocking the exit. “What does it even matter? You were going to get rid of her at some point. Why are you being so stubborn about this?”

I grab him by his collar and yank. “If anyone steps foot into my penthouse, I will personally kill them. Let them know before you send them on a suicide mission.”

I let him go and shove him out of my way before leaving. Settimo’s office is ten miles away, and as I pull into the parking garage, I don’t recall a second of the drive.

“What the fuckare you trying to do?” I snarl, slamming the door to Settimo’s office shut. He’s behind his desk, his feet propped on the mahogany and his hands behind his back. An associate whose name I can’t remember sits in a chair on the other side of him.

Amusement sets the guy’s face into a slight smile, and I could kill him for it. I stride up to him and grab the back of his neck. His smile vanishes, but he narrows his eyes. This is one of Settimo’s guys, and apparently, he thinks he’s untouchable. He’s wrong. Already, I can’t wait to prove it. But not right now.

“Get out,” I growl.

He looks to Settimo who nods, and then he gets up and walks out of the office, closing the door behind him.

“Do you really think I’m going to be okay with you going over my head like this?” I laugh dryly and start pacing, my blood pumping hotter by the second.

“Go over your head?” Settimo puts his feet on the floor and leans forward. “Lorenzo, sit down. Jesus.”

I glare at him and slam my hands down on the desk. “You are not killing Amelia. That’smycall, not yours, and if you do not have the decency to allow me to make it—”

“This is about that girl?” Settimo’s eyebrows raise.

I lean toward him in response and inject as much venom into my voice as possible. “If you want my loyalty, you are not having her killed.”

“She’s a liability. I wasn’t trying to overstep. I assumed you would be wise enough to see that yourself.”

“They’re not getting a warrant to search my place. I’m not a suspect for this crime, and even if they dig up other dirt because of it, I have time.”

Settimo’s brows pinch, and he leans back in his chair. “Look, I get it. She’s cute. I’m sure she’s lots of fun. But she’s not a risk worth taking, and you know that.” He inhales a deep breath and drums his fingers on the desk. He’s considering his next words, and so am I.

He’s right. Anthony is right. Joe is right. I’m the only one in disagreement about this, and it doesn’t have anything to do with my “fun”.

I don’t want to kill her.

Seeing the look in her eyes, hearing her pleas, it’s enough for me. I don’t get the feeling of disgust that I usually do. I get the urge to hold her. Kiss her. Be her protector, even if it’s from myself. I don’t understand it, and this was never my intention. But it’s the reality. I don’t want to pull the trigger, and I don’t want to let her go.

But sheisa liability. It would be foolish to hang on to a missing person right now, and far more foolish to let her go. Iknowthat. I just don’t care.

“I should’ve talked to you before talking to Anthony. I wouldn’t go behind your back on purpose,” Settimo says.

I take a steady breath and push myself from the desk before falling into the chair.

“So are we good? Can we put our dicks away now?”

I rub my forehead and let my heart settle. I don’t like to act when emotional. I’m losing more control every day.

“Yes,” I say finally, letting my hand drop to my lap.

“Good.” Settimo nods and relaxes into his chair. “So, do you want to do it or have Victor? Or someone else. I know you like the guy, but honestly, he gives me the creeps. He likes what he does a little too much.”

I narrow my eyes. “Were you not listening? I’m not getting rid of her.”

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