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The memory of her standing there, chin lifted, eyes blazing with a fire that should have been extinguished by fear, replays in my mind. The worst part isn’t just that she embarrassed me in front of my men. It’s that I found it sexy. That is, until I revealed a part of myself and my feelings for her and she dismissed it like it was trash.
Her voice trails after me, but I don't look back. I can't afford to. If I catch sight of her again, I might do something foolish. Whether that’s kill her or kiss her, I can’t be sure.
I shove through the front door, hating what a pussy I’m becoming. I shouldn't want her—not like this, not when she challenges the very authority I've bled to establish. Yet, the infuriating woman rouses a part of me that craves her flame, even as it threatens to burn it all down.
God, why had I shown my hand? It was true that I’d destroy anything and everything that tried to hurt her, but exposing that reality is a risk I can’t afford.
My blood is simmering as I make my way to Liam who is leaning against his car, his attention on his phone.
He looks up, his eyes watching me carefully. "Hope you're not waiting on me to haul out a body.” His voice is light, but there's an edge to it, as if he wouldn’t be surprised if I’d killed Elena and needed him to deal with it.
"Fuck you."
Liam straightens. "Donovan handling the disposal?"
"I didn’t kill her. I didn’t even touch her.” The memory of wanting to kiss those lips spewing fire my way flashes again. “Fucking hell.”
“Oh. Well, good for you for showing restraint and recognizing that she’s more valuable to you alive."
He holds the same opinion of me that Elena does. She’s just a commodity. It hurts, and yet I know I need them to think that. It’s better that I’m a fucking heartless, lethal asshole than a man in love.
The silence stretches between us. His gaze probes, looking for answers.
I fear he’s going to see the truth so I say, “Have you found anything out yet?”
“I’ve got men going through surveillance cams.” He cocks his head. “You sure you’re alright?”
“Fine,” I bite out.
The door to the house opens, and Donovan trots out with half a cookie in his hand and the other crumbling around his mouth.
“So, where’s the body?” he asks as he shoves the last bit of cookie in his mouth. “Do I deliver the body to Fiori or Romeo? Or maybe Tiberius?”
The remark slices through me. They’re right. The Soldier of Death would have snuffed her out without blinking, a swift retribution for the disrespect she showed me. I wonder how long before they realize why. How long can I hide it? The answer is to send her to Italy with her sister. Get her away from me. It’s the only chance I have to save myself.
Liam gives a quick shake of his head as I narrow my eyes at Donovan.
“What?” he asks, looking between the two of us.
“Elena is alive and well,” Liam reports.
“Oh… well… good. We can still use her to get those assholes.”
I have an urge to grab Donovan and shove him against the car with my gun butted to his temple for suggesting that I use Elena. It’s ridiculous, of course, because I am using her.
“Any news on the friend?” Donovan says, oblivious to my murderous thoughts.
“Nothing specific.”
“You’d have thought I’d have had a call from Giovanni by now that he took her.” That thought is gnawing at me. What is the point of taking Kate? Yes, it would cause Elena to do anything to help her friend, but he knows Elena has no power here. And I don’t give a shit about her friend. There’s no one Giovanni could take who would have me giving Elena back to him. Well, maybe my sister Aria, but I’d just find a way to kill Giovanni and save my sister.
"Could've been Romeo. Or Tiberius," Donovan suggests.
"Even then, they’d call, right? Why the silence?" I shake my head. “Any chance this has nothing to do with us? Maybe it’s something against her dad.”
“No. The chief hasn’t gotten a call, either.” Liam gives me a pointed look. “There are rumors about his being in Giovanni’s pocket.”
“Really?” both Donovan and I say in surprise.
