“I know.”
“Just don’t make me choose sides, Elijah. You know I’ve got a bigger job to do. Dante can’t die until the time is right.”
He’s right. I know he’s right.
Dante doesn’t let his guard down unless he considers someone truly beneath him—and his son will never be seen that way.
Everything surrounding Dante and his empire has to be executed with precision, or your life is the cost.
The rest of the drive unfolds in silence, my thoughts circling the same truth.
I miss her. I’d do anything for her. And I won’t be the one to end her life.
The rain starts up again, soft at first, then harder.
Somewhere ahead, Nikolai is waiting, but so is she.
And I have no idea whose death will come first.
Chapter 50
Aurelia
The door clicks open, and I stiffen, refusing to look at him.
I can feel his eyes burning into the side of my face.
“You’re being quiet,” Nikolai says, using that rare careful tone again.
I snort, glaring at him. “Quiet? I’ve been trapped, bleeding, and hiding from your murderous men. Yeah… I’ve been quiet.”
He tilts his head. “You think that excuses your behaviour?”
“Excuses? There is no need for me to excuse my behaviour.” I stand, my frustration growing at his remark.
“I think my behaviour is pretty justified considering you drugged me and took me from my home.”
“You were not to entertain anyone else, Aurelia.”
“Hah.” I let out a forced laugh. “I can entertain anyone I choose to. You know why?”
He stays still, crossing his arms as if to prove he isn’t fazed by my anger.
“Because I’m not yours to control. I’m not—” My hands shoot out, and I shove him hard in the chest. “I’m not your property!”
He doesn’t move. Just keeps his calm, infuriating eyes fixed on me.
“You will understand eventually. You may be used to using people, getting them to do what you want, but you’ll understand, just like me, that love isn’t something you command.”
Oh, he’s fucking insane.
Love? He doesn’t know me. He doesn’t love me. And I will never love him.
I go rigid. “What… what are you talking about?”
“You,” he says, stepping closer, “you think I don’t see why you got close to Adrian? That you were using him? You only gave him what was needed in order for you to benefit. When you needed an enemy, he was your enemy. When you needed a friend, he was a friend, and when you needed a lover. Surprise. He became your lover.”
I don’t say anything, and I think he takes that as motivation to keep going.
