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And then I figured it out. The truth slammed into me, and I visibly shook with the realization. Benny planned to leave me at the estate with mynonno. Alone. I didn’t even have my Aunt Porcia. I didn’t have any contact with her since Exorcist helped her after her gunshot wound.
Merda!I needed to know she was alright, but I couldn’t ask Benny until we straightened out a few things.
My gaze flicked to his, and he didn’t flinch, holding steady as I glared at him. “You’re not staying with me.”
“No.” He didn’t seem apologetic about it either.
“You’re leaving me in this prison,” I accused.
“You’ll be safe, Bianca. I must know that no one can harm you while I’m gone.”
I threw off the coverlet, sliding my legs to the edge of the bed. “Then why did you bring me down here? You could have taken me straight to Alaric.”
“No. Not yet.”
“Why?” I demanded.
His upper lip curled into a sneer. “Your grandfather will answer for his crimes soon enough, but he’s not the one I’m after.”
“Then who is?”
Benny didn’t reply.
I stood, relieved my head didn’t ache anymore. My balance seemed to improve, too. “Since you don’t want to share information, I’m leaving.”
“Bianca—”
“Don’t try to stop me, Benny,” I huffed, rushing toward the door.
Two large hands latched onto my shoulders as he pulled me against his chest. And that was when his scent folded over me in seductive layers, an intoxicating blend of leather, sambuca, and mint with a hint of tobacco.
“Let me go,” I breathed out, already partially giving in.
My surrender completed when his long, muscular arms wrapped around me. His head lowered as he whispered into my ear, “I would die for you,amore mio.”
The husky tone of his voice melted my resistance. “Benny.”
“And I will kill anyone who harms you,” he vowed.
I couldn’t help stiffening in response.
“My enemies are closing in. Yournonnohas plenty of his own. You’re far too vulnerable, and I need to deal with the threat against you as swiftly as possible.”
I turned around, staying in his embrace. “What threat?”
“The reason I protected you and stayed by your side as you attended the book signing with Porcia. Yournonnoreceived a package that implied you’d be next.”
I gasped, trembling as his hold tightened. “Next for what? What was in the package?”
“Your photo, along with a gift. It doesn’t matter what was inside the box, Bianca. The point is that your grandfather’s enemies are growing bold. He’s hired additional security.”
“Then why the hell did he let me travel to Texas with my aunt?” I searched Benny’s eyes, noting the hardening of his irises to cold steel. “Dio Santo!He used us as bait.”
Benny didn’t deny it. He cupped my cheek, sliding his thumb along my jaw. “I need to hunt this threat down, and I can’t do that if I’m concerned for your safety.”
I understood his reasoning now, even if I didn’t like it. I couldn’t go with him now, but I didn’t want to stay here for months while he hunted down the men who burned him. Despite my frustration, I finally agreed. “Okay.”
“I need to know what happened in that cab,tesoro. It’s important.”
