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A freckled face drifts across my mind, hazel eyes beseeching, and my chest feels even tighter as I respond. “Of course.”
It’s an obvious play for the Governor to make: I took his daughter, so he threatens my younger sister. An eye for a twisted eye. Except Allegra is here, tucked safely in my stronghold, and since the attack that left Raul’s arm in a sling, our security has been impenetrable.
Meanwhile, the Governor’s daughter is entirely at my mercy. He didn’t make a single peep for the first twenty four hours she was gone—no panicked threats, no attempts to get her back. Was probably more concerned about the investments I’ve been ruining. For all he knows, I’ve been torturing her this whole time.
He really doesn’t care about her at all, does he? I suspected as much, but to see the evidence for myself… I push to my feet, feeling queasy.
The inevitable path of this conflict plays out in my mind as I stroll through the mansion hallways, barely seeing the paintings and sculptures I pass.
I take the Governor’s daughter as insurance.
I ruin his finances.
Expose his son for embezzling that charity last year, and threaten his donors away.
I take apart his platform, wealth and reputation, piece by sordid piece, until Governor Edwards is a broken man who will never pose any threat to me again.
And then, once we’re both absolutely certain that I’ve won, I’ll kill him. Obviously.
It’s a bit drawn out this way, perhaps, but it’s smart to make an example of him. God forbid any more upstart politicians get the wrong idea.
“Boss?” Nico falls into step beside me, and I inhale sharply and glance around. Seems we’re on the second floor, prowling through the east wing. “Leah’s working late at the bookshop tonight. With everything escalating, I want to send extra security while she’s there.”
“Fine,” I agree absently, turning into a room at random. It’s a barely used sitting room, with armchairs and a drinks trolley and a piano in one corner. “Send whoever you need. Go with her too, and report back to me every hour.”
Nico’s shoulders drop, tension falling away. “I was gonna ask that next. Thanks, boss.”
As if I’d make him guard me instead of his wife. Allegra regularly accuses me of being emotionally constipated, but even I know where Nico’s priorities should lie while we’re under threat. And though he asked nicely, we both know he’d have gone to that bookshop either way. He can’t keep away.
No one fears me anymore. Not the people close to me, anyway. It’s fucking annoying.
Hazel eyes, peering up at me, wide and trusting…
“How long until Christmas?” I ask abruptly, marching toward the drinks trolley then veering away when I remember that it’s early morning.
“Tomorrow’s Christmas Eve.” Nico’s grin stretches across his face, and he scratches his stubbled chin. His dark hair is still damp from the shower. “Why? You gonna hang stockings for all of us on the mantel? Have we been good this year?”
My fingers itch for my gun. I pinch the bridge of my nose instead. “No. So everything’s alright with Leah? She got the bookshop open again?”
“Yeah,” Nico says, and he’s more subdued now. Peering closer. “Another headache? They’re coming thick and fast these days. Maybe you should talk to Raul.”
“I’m fine,” I mutter, but then find myself waving at my chest, the words spilling out. “But I keep getting this… this burning sensation…”
Nico frowns, and his obvious worry is almost moving. I drop both hands, shaking off the moment with a sigh. “It’s fine. Too much time around imbeciles gives me indigestion.”
He snorts. “Guilty as charged.”
Nico doesn’t ask me why I’m wandering the halls aimlessly, still dressed in yesterday’s clothes, and I don’t tell him. And once his footsteps drum away down the corridor, I allow myself a rare moment of weakness, dropping into the nearest armchair with a groan.
Is it worth all this just to make a point? To maintain my ruthless reputation?
And what will Erin think of her father’s death? It might hurt her, certainly—but she might also be relieved.
Will she ever forgive me?
I scoff and bury my face in my hands while I’m safely alone. I’ve been the ruthless De Rossi kingpin for so long now, impenetrable and cold, that I’ve mastered the art of falling apart quickly in stolen moments of silence.
This is how it needs to be. I’m a criminal and her captor. I’ve worked too hard, fought too long, spilled too much blood to build this empire to risk it now—and too many people rely on me to keep them safe. Allegra and Raul and Nico and Leah, even Diego and the maid he’s in love with.
