In through my nose. Out through my mouth.
The room swam into focus inch by inch. There were lights. Too many of them. Harsh and bright, mounted on metal stands, all aimed toward the red leather sofa positioned like a centerpiece, which I guess also made me the centerpiece. In front of me was a low coffee table, with cheap halogen lamps behind me.
The walls—all three of them—were bare, the concrete floor scuffed and stained beneath the black rug.
It looked less like a hideout and more like a forgotten TV set.
I managed to sit up, look around, and examine my surroundings, but there was nothing else of note. Except for the man who stood just beyond the lights. He was nothing more than a dark shadow, a looming figure who had kidnapped me and brought me here.
Except they were after Mattie.
That thought sobered me.
“Hello?” I used my most professional tone because the one thing I knew above all else was that I couldn’t let my fear show.
The man stepped forward with a slow smile on his face as if we were old friends. Even still, the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Serenity Majors,” he said just as the light revealed average, unforgettable features. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
I lifted my chin, figuring he must be Enzo’s cousin. “You must be David.”
His brows shot up. “So Lorenzohasspoken about me.”
I didn’t answer.
Up close, he was unimpressive with a slim build, restless energy, and the same green eyes as Enzo and Mattie but duller somehow. Meaner. He wore expensive clothes that didn’t quite fit right, like he was dressing for a role he hadn’t earned.
“Oh, I’ve heardallabout you,” he continued, circling slowly. “When he came back to California, it was alwaysRen thisandRen that.” He rolled his eyes. “Obsessed. It was disgusting.”
I stared at him, trying to look strong and brave, but he wore all the markers of a weak little man obsessed with power he couldn’t hope to attain. I’d met plenty like him over the years. “I can see why you’re divorced.”
The effect was immediate. Anger flashed across his face, his jaw tightened, and a flush crept up his neck. For a moment Ithought he might hit me, then he smoothed it away, replacing it with a smile that brought to mind a used car salesman. “I thought he’d give up eventually,” he said. “Go back to you. He didn’t.”
In that moment, everything clicked into place. “You wanted the top job,” I said softly.
David shook his head. “No. I didn’twantit.” His voice rose, the sound brittle and sharp. “I deserved it. It was mine.” He started pacing back and forth, his steps short and jerky. His hands clenched at his sides as if he didn’t know what to do with them. “Lorenzo was supposed to be the college boy,” he snapped. “The one who focused on the legitimate businesses, growing the empire. That was the plan.”
“That’s what he wanted too,” I said softly. “But plans change.” Thinking about the past was too painful, and right now, combined with the fear, my emotions were all over the place.
His head whipped toward me. “Yeah? Well, that’s not whatthe familywanted. Andthe familyalways gets what it wants.” He raked a hand through his hair and let out a shaky breath that revealed more than he wanted it to.
I watched him unravel, fascinated despite my pounding heart. It was interesting, watching the way his anger unfolded, but terrifying because he was losing his grip, and the last thing I wanted was to end up as collateral damage.
David wasn’t in control. He was posturing, trying to convince me, or himself, that he was the man in charge here. He was already spiraling, and this was the beginning of his plan.
“This is your plan?” I asked in disbelief. “Threaten his son and kidnap his nanny?”
“Nanny?” He threw his head back and laughed. “Hardly.”
He stopped in front of me, leaning down so his face was inches from mine. “You are the perfect leverage to get me everything I want.”
I sucked in a sharp breath at the unfocused look in his eyes. “What do you want, David?”
His eyes went hard. “I want what should’ve been mine.” Then he smiled. “And you’re going to help me get it.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “You’re overestimating my importance. I’m just a woman he used to date. Now I’m an employee. Nothing more.”
“Bullshit,” he snarled. The word cracked like a whip, echoing all around me.
“He married Sofia,” David went on, his voice rising with each syllable. “He had a baby with her, but he never loved her—not the way he loved you, if he loved her at all. He lost his spark when it was clear he couldn’t go back and be with you.” His eyes gleamed. “Everyone thought it was because of Giovanni’s death, but it wasn’t. It was because he lost you.”
