"It's not what it looks like. Kai was checking on me because I was upset about my parents. He was just being kind. That's all."
"Is that so?" Salvatore's eyes narrowed. "And what about all the other times? The private conversations? The way you look at each other? The constant proximity?"
"I was following your orders." Kai's voice cut through the tension. "You told me to watch her. To keep her in line. To make sure she understood the family business. That required time together. Conversations. Teaching her what she needed to know. There's nothing inappropriate about any of it."
"Don't insult my intelligence, boy." Salvatore stood slowly. Deliberately. "I'm not stupid. I know exactly what's been happening under myroof. My son has been fucking my future wife. Making me look like a fool in my own house. Disrespecting me in the worst possible way."
"That's not..." I started.
Salvatore moved so fast I didn't see it coming. His hand connected with my face, the backhand blow so hard it knocked me out of the chair.
I hit the floor. Tasted blood. My cheek exploded with pain.
Kai lunged forward instantly. Got between me and Salvatore before I could even process what had happened. Rage transformed his features into something dangerous. Deadly.
"Touch her again and I'll fucking kill you."
The threat was raw, honestly terrifying and it was all the confirmation Salvatore needed.
He moved back to his desk. Pulled open a drawer. Extracted a gun with practiced ease.
"I always knew you'd betray me eventually. Just like your mother tried to leave. Just like everyone who thinks they can defy me and live." The gun was pointed at Kai now. "You're weak. Always have been. Too soft. Too emotional. I should have known you'd fall for the first pretty thing that smiled at you."
"I'm not weak. I'm smart enough to know that Aria deserves better than being your possession. That she's worth more than whatever sick fantasy you had about her." Kai's voice was steady despite the gun aimed at his chest. "She was never yours, old man. Never wanted you. Never will. She belongs to me and she always has. From the first moment I saw her."
Salvatore's face went dark. Purple. Veins bulging in his neck.
"Fine. If you want her so badly, you can watch her die. See what your defiance costs."
The gun swung toward me. Time slowed. I saw Salvatore's finger on the trigger. Saw the barrel pointing at my chest. Saw my death coming.
Then Kai moved. Stepped directly in front of me. Put his body between me and the bullet. His arms spread wide, blocking mecompletely.
"You want to shoot someone? Shoot me. Leave her out of this. This is between you and me."
"No! Kai, don't..." I tried to pull him back. He wouldn't budge.
Salvatore's smile was cold. Cruel. "As you wish."
The gunshot was deafening.
Kai jerked. Stumbled. Blood bloomed across his left arm, spreading fast. He went down on one knee.
I screamed. Tried to get to him. Luca grabbed me, held me back.
"Kai! Oh god, Kai..."
He looked up at me. Even bleeding, even in pain, his eyes were fierce. Protective. Telling me to stay back. Stay safe.
Salvatore stood over him. Gun still raised.
"I'm not killing you. Not yet. That would cause too much chaos when my enemies discover I'm without a direct heir. They'd descend like vultures. No, you get to live with the consequences of your betrayal. But you're dead to this family. Finished. If you ever set foot on this property again, I will put a bullet in your head. Do you understand?"
Kai didn't respond. Just stared at his father with pure hatred.
"Guards!" Salvatore's voice boomed.
Four men rushed in. Took in the scene. The blood. Kai on his knees. Me being held by Luca.
