“I’m sure you’ll find something. But step out of line, and there will be consequences.”
He grins devilishly, snagging my tie and tugging me toward him.
“Oh yeah? Like what?”
I chuckle, dropping my voice to a whisper.
“Like chaining you to the basement and leaving you there for days.”
He releases me, letting out a dramatic sigh.
“You’re insane.”
I lean closer.
“Be a good boy while I’m gone, piccolino.”
Heat flares under his skin, and he can’t help but shiver that runs down his spine as I walk away.
CHAPTER 25 – BURN
JULIAN
The second Nico rounds the corner, I wait just long enough to not look suspicious before goingafter him.
What the hell is he up to that’s so damn important? And why thefuckcan’t I be part of it?
I don’t need protecting. And I sure as hell don’t need him dictating where I can or can’t go.
A shiver cuts down my spine when his voice echoes in my head:“Like chaining you to the basement and leaving you there for days.”
Psycho. He meant every damn word. He’d chain me up all over again, break me just to prove he could. Keep me locked away like I belonged to him.
But I’m not his fucking pet. I’m not staying behind while he runs off to do God knows what.
He’s hiding something, and I don’t care if it’s reckless—I’m going to find out what.
I creep down the hall, eyes scanning every door, every shadow. I saw Nico walk toward the left wing, but which room is it? I’ve got no fucking clue, they all look the same. My pulse spikes with every step, but I can’t stop.I need to know what that bastard is up to.
About halfway down, I bump into someone.
“Julian,” Luca says, stopping short. His shoulder is wrapped, mostly healed, but there’s still a faint scar from the bullet. His gaze locks on me, sharp and wary.
“Luca… shit,” I blurt, stepping back. “I—I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“It’s fine,” he mutters, stretching his shoulder. He studies me for a moment, and I can feel the scrutiny in his gaze.
“Whatexactlyare you doing?” he asks, narrowing his eyes.
I shift, trying to sound normal, but I can feel my throat tightening. “I’m just… going for a walk,” I say, almost too quickly. My hands twitch at my sides. “Just trying to clear my head after all that shit that went down.”
Luca doesn’t look convinced. “A walk, huh? Cross, you’ve been stirring shit here since day one. Nico might not see it, but I do. So for your own sake, don’t go poking around where you don’t belong. Got it?”
I swallow, heat prickling down my neck. “I… got it. I won’t cause any more trouble,” I lie, the words tasting bitter on my tongue.
He gives me a curt, tight-lipped nod and moves on, leaving me pressed against the wall. My pulse spikes, heart hammering, I force my gaze back toward the left wing.
Fuck it.
