A chill rippled down my spine. “And how do you expect me to do that?”
“Find out where he stores it and take it.” Malik shrugged, his nonchalance sending ice through my veins. He moved to rise, pulling his hood back over his head.
I shot my hand across the table, gripping his wrist. “Wait!” My pulse hammered. “Did you know? Did you know Emily is Balthazar’s daughter?”
Malik went eerily still.
I caught the flicker in his gaze, the way his expression darkened—an unreadable mask of shadows and secrets.
A sharp breath left my lungs. “You knew! You were the one who ripped the page from the journal!”
Malik neither confirmed nor denied my accusation. “It’s better that she doesn’t know.” His voice was firm, resolute. “And you will keep it that way. She doesn’t need more pain. Neither does Olivia.”
I pulled back, disbelief curling through me. “But Balthazar knows. He’s planning to reunite with her. He was overjoyed to find out Alina gave him a child.”
Malik’s stare hardened. “Emily will not find out. And you will keep your mouth shut. Balthazar doesn’t even know what’s coming to him.”
“You don’t understand. Everything is a fucking mess! You swore to me that this plan would be simple—that Emily and Olivia wouldn’t suffer because of it. Now look at what’s happened! Balthazar will find out who I am and destroy me before I even get a chance to explain anything to Emily!”
Malik rose from his chair, looming over me, his presence like a storm cloud ready to burst. “Don’t worry. Balthazar will not kill you. I am your ally. I stand by your side, and I will protect you.” His voice softened, but his eyes gleamed with something darker. “Now listen carefully—Giovanni is dead. Raul Costa has the Sun Dagger and will be at his annual masquerade ball. Tell Balthazar to go to the masquerade. All will be well.”
My breath came hard and fast. “And what? You’ll handle everything?”
Malik smiled—a small, knowing thing. “Trust me. Everything will work out.”
I exhaled a long, unsteady breath. “Fine. If you say so, I’ll go…”
His gaze softened just a fraction. “You are a good man, Marcellious. Even the darkest monsters can change when given a woman’s love. You have done well. Once Emily and Olivia know the truth, they will be proud of you.”
I barked out a bitter laugh. “Proud? I don’t know if Emily will take me back after everything I’ve done. I am a terrible person, a monster. She will never forgive me.”
For the first time, Malik hesitated.
Then, he met my gaze with something grave—something almost… hopeful. “You should know… Emily isn’t just carrying your child. She is carrying your legacy.” His voice dropped, solemn. “No matter what happens, she will find it within herself to forgive you. I swear it.”
A lump formed in my throat.
Malik slid a folded piece of paper across the table.
“Bring me Balthazar’s dagger. Then meet me at my home.”
And just like that, he was gone.
Vanished like a ghost.
Leaving me to slump back into my chair, reeling.
Chapter 18
Olivia
Since returning from Vincenzo Zampa’s house, Malik’s demeanor toward me had been frigid. The frostbite of his indifference clung to my skin, and though I tried to temper my ire, I was still struggling to control my anger. He had unleashed his darkness against me, and I wasn’t sure if I would ever forgive him for it.
My thoughts raced, a mixture of resentment and many emotions, as I entertained ways to get back at him. But revenge wasn’t the answer. I knew that.
Despite my seething hatred, there were moments—fleeting but undeniable—when my mind strayed to my husband. The turmoil inside me was relentless, a cacophony of emotions I couldn’t quiet. Love and hate, devotion and betrayal—they clashed inside me, swirling into a dizzying whirlwind of conflicting thoughts.
When Malik returned from whatever monster business he had been conducting that afternoon, I fled the front room, unwilling to face him.
