The thought lingered like a piece of poisonous fruit, rotting from the inside out. I felt unleashed and lost, not knowing what to do or where to start. I looked at Aidan, hoping that big brain of his had a plan.
Even if I had attacked his mate.
Keeping one hand notched on Torin’s hip, Aidan flicked through his phone furiously, his brow pinched.
“What is it?” I snapped, ignoring the glower Aidan shot my way.
“Someone is at the gate requesting entrance.”
“Who?”
“Massimo Rossi.”
Thirty-Five
KAELEN
My knuckles cracked. Aidan looked up at me from his phone. An uncomfortable silence settled over us, only interrupted by the steady popping of logs in the fireplace.
From what I knew about Massimo Rossi, he was calculating, loyal, intelligent, and above all, ruthless. That night at the restaurant, I sensed tension between Massimo and his father.
Perhaps he always knew what Vittorio planned to do.
Perhaps he disagreed with it.
“What does he want?” I asked.
Aidan’s lips thinned, eyes scrolling over some unseen message on his phone. “He’s saying he has information about Willow.”
Without thinking, my fist collided with the drywall, pieces of it splintering onto the floor. Both men eyed me but stayed quiet. My chest heaved, blood dripping from my knuckles as a dust cloud hovered nearby.
Nothing good could come from this, but it confirmed my suspicions—that Vittorio Rossi took my wife. My omega. Staring into the distance, I ignored the pointed stare from my brother while I tried to compose myself.
I was no good to Willow unless I got my shite together. Having Massimo Rossi on my doorstep didn’t bode well. The Rossis knew the rage I’d be in trying to find her. Vittorio likely sent his son to feast on that, luring me into a trap.
Regardless, I couldn’t send him away until I heard what he had to say. I might regret it otherwise.
“How many men are with him?” I mumbled, grabbing a cloth from my desk and wrapping it around my knuckles.
“None,” Aidan said.
“None?” I asked.
“None. He came alone. He told the guard he is willing to come in unarmed to prove his motives are purely to talk.”
“Have them remove his weapons and then bring him up.”
Aidan nodded. I moved behind my desk, yanking open the top drawer and removing my gun. After securing a fresh clip, I tucked the pistol into my waistband. A knock sounded on the door. Aidan and Torin stood off to the side, and I leaned into the edge of my desk.
“Come in,” I barked.
The door opened, revealing Seamus with Massimo Rossi at his side. I dismissed Seamus, and Massimo took two careful steps inside before meeting my glacial gaze.
An impeccably tailored suit clung to his broad frame, his dark hair styled cleanly atop his head. A flicker of something I couldn’t quite decipher slid over his usually indifferent features. He inclined his head, and a feral snarl tore from me.
To the man’s credit, he didn’t flinch.
Shadows shifted behind me, Aidan and Torin’s hands resting on their weapons. My muscles tensed as I struggled to contain the rage burning a hole in my chest.
