“I want nothing more than to keep kissing you, but I have to get this over with,” I say, peeling her off me and placing her back in her own seat.
I take a moment to compose myself. Her heavy breathing doesn’t help one bit.
“Are you certain you want to come with me?” I ask.
“Yes.” She nods. “And you were right. I can’t stay afraid forever.”
“If you change your mind, just say the word,” I say. “We’ll leave immediately.”
“Why isn’t Enzo here?” she asks.
“He can’t come.” When I feel her staring at me, I add, “He couldn’t. He’s looking into the address we were given earlier today.”
“Right,” she says.
We get out of the car. She takes a deep breath as she looks up at the house. I squeeze her hand before we begin walking.
The château rises from the dark countryside in Gothic lines and creeping ivy. The windows glow softly in the night. There’s heavy security everywhere, but I don't let my guard down. As we enter through the double doors, a hostess welcomes us to the party.
As soon as I give her my name, she glances at one of the black-clad men. He strides toward us purposely.
"This way, please," he says.
Without turning to check if we're following him, he takes the grand staircase. I wrap my arm around Grace’s waist as we follow him up the staircase.
The sounds of live music and laughter drift up to us. I take a deep breath. I'm used to working under pressure, but there's a fear that has rooted itself deep inside me since I met Grace. I don't ever want to see her in harm's way, but I exist in a world filled with snakes and scorpions.
I squeeze her waist to reassure myself. She glances up at me.
"Are you okay?" I whisper.
"Yes, areyou?" she replies.
I relax as I look into her brown eyes. I give her a small nod.
When we reach the landing, the guard takes us down a vaulted corridor. He stops before one of the doors and pushes it open. He steps aside to let us enter.
I pause at the threshold.
One thing becomes very clear to me.
This was a mistake.
"Don't even think about running." An albino man stands and pushes his hands into his pockets. "There's nowhere for you to go."
It's Damian Innocenti, Ivy Blackwood's husband. Only he's not alone. Two men stand beside him, one of whom is Nico Monte, the man I spoke with earlier this afternoon. Only he can’t bring himself to look me in the eye right now.
“You set a trap for me?” I ask him.
"Only a man with something to hide would run," Damian answers instead. "Do you have something to hide, Dante?"
"What do you want?" I ask, tightening my hold on Grace. I swear to God, if they try to take her from me, I’ll murder every person here.
"We're just here to talk." Damian raises his hands.
The third man steps forward. It’s Max Montgomery from the 'Ndrangheta. He’s also married to Grace’s eldest sister, Chloe.
And by the look on Grace’s face, she knows exactly who he is.
