“It’s good seeing you again,” I say, and behind me, Lorenzo exhales. It’s slow and drawn out, and I can tell right away he’s pissed.
Good. I hope I piss you the fuck off.
“That’s enough.”
I pivot my body so I’m staring at him now, book still tucked against my side. “I’m just talking.”
Lorenzo takes one step forward, moving closer to me like a panther stalking its prey.
“You’re not subtle,” Lorenzo grits out through clenched teeth.
My lips spread into a smirk. “I’m not trying to be.”
Another step. “Upstairs. Now.”
I glance at Nico again. Smile faintly. “Thank you for keeping me safe.”
His throat works, and his shoulders are noticeably stiff.
I turn and walk away before either of them can stop me. I don’t rush. And I don’t look back.
I slip into the sitting room and close the door, not fully, just enough to dull the sound without killing it. I lean my shoulder against the frame. And wait . . .
Silence.
Then I hear him, Lorenzo’s voice, closer now. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Standing my post,” Nico answers carefully.
“You call that standing your post?” he asks. “You let my wife step into your space.”
“She initiated conversation.”
“I have cameras.”
A beat.
“And I have expectations.”
Another pause.
“If you so much as look at her like she’s an option,” Lorenzo continues, “I’ll make sure you don’t look at anything ever again.”
My stomach tightens.
“Understood.”
“And Nico?”
“Yes,” he answers.
“She touched you because she wanted me to see.”
Silence stretches, and I swear I’m crawling out of my skin to see what happens next. I’m scared for the poor guy. I shouldn’t have poked the beast. Now Nico’s blood will be on my hands.
“That makes her clever,” Lorenzo adds. “And makes you disposable if you help her.”
Footsteps.Please don’t come here.
