“I can’t lie to him,” he says, voice low.
“I’m not asking you to lie.” My voice cracks but I keep going. “I’m asking you not to destroy him. If Matteo finds out Giacomo held a knife to my throat once again, it’s over. There will be no reasoning with him. No strategy. Just war. And Giacomo already slipped into the city without you knowing. That means there are cracks. Weak spots. And until they’re sealed, we’re exposed.”
His throat worksas he swallows.
He looks over his shoulder.Then back at me.
A long, heavy pause stretches between us—an oath warring with a plea.
Finally, he exhales.
“I won’t say anything.” He rubs a hand over his face. “But I’m beefing up your security. And if he asks, I’ll tell him there are whispers Giacomo is back. It’ll buy me time to figure out what the hell he’s planning and how he got past us.”
Relief hits so hard my knees nearly give out. I sag against him, breathing in short, shuddering pulls.
He holds me tighter, solid and unmoving, letting me fall apart because he knows I won’t fall for long.
“I’ll keep you safe, principessa,” he murmurs into my hair. His voice is a vow forged in steel. “I’ll end that fucker. And I’ll make sure you’re safe again.”
I nod into his chest, gripping him as the wind cuts through the trees, the city roaring faintly around us.
This is a fight I cannot lose and I am willing to bloody my own hands to ensure that I don’t. If this is the only way to protect Daniele then so be it.
I will become the very monster he is in order to take him down if I must.
25
MATTEO
By the time the day winds down, I’m ready to go home to my wife and son. It’s one of those rare weeks where we’re staying at the penthouse. Being back and forth from the city has been tiresome, but I know how much Bea loves the estate.
She feels at peace there.
I’m dialing her number as I leave the office, but then I pause when I catch the scent of an asshole standing right in front of me.
What the fuck is he doing here? Inmydomain, no less.
He leans against my car like he owns it. One leg crossed over the other, dressed in a casual suit, hair slicked back. His usual uniform and attire.
Giacomo.He’s an eyesore if I ever did see one.
“You’re either the stupidest person alive to come into my territory like this, or the bravest,” I spit, coating the words in acid. “I’m going with the former.”
His lips tilt into a slow, easy smile that I want to carve off his face.
According to my latest briefing, this man should be in exile right now. He lost his French contacts and I also took over the majority of his territory.
And yet here hestands before me, looking like he’s the king of the world.
“Well, if it isn’t my old friend, Matty. How have you been? I’ve missed you in my travels. Exile can be so lonely.”
I draw my gun and point it right at his head in one swift motion. I click the safety off, making sure my aim is precise.
Giacomo fake pouts. “Matty, you wound me. I thought you’d be elated to see me. After all, we do have such a long and deep-rooted history. I’d like to consider us kindred souls.”
“Give me one good reason I shouldn’t blow your head off right now.”
He smiles wider. “Oh, come now, Matty. Why can we never be more cordial than this?”
