She said nothing as she looked at me. Finally, she turned and stared around the massive flower garden.
“Matteo?” she asked, her voice soft.
“Yes?”
“Why don’t you just tell me the truth?”
“Would you believe it?” I asked.
“I don’t know,” she whispered. “But I miss Dominic and the guys.”
“You have Drake,” I pointed out.
She shook her head. “I can’t trust him. I don’t have him. I don’twanthim.”
I watched as her small body shook. Carefully, I stepped to her side and stared down at her. Tears trickled down her cheeks.
“Look at me, Bianca,” I said.
She looked up at me, her bottom lip wobbling.
I reached out and cradled her face.
“You don’t have to like me, but I do ask that you trust me. Can you do that?”
“You play dangerous games,” she whispered, her tears dripping onto my hands.
“The prize is worth it,” I murmured. “I will not kill you unless you force my hand.”
“What about Dominic?”
“He will live for now. I do this for you. For… him in some ways.”
“Then tell him?—”
“It is as it must be.”
“I-I miss him. I need him. Please?—”
I went in and pressed my lips to her forehead, silencing her.
“Trust me, sweet princess, and I will make you a queen. Give me time. Can you do that?”
She was quiet for a moment before her soft voice sounded out.
“Yes.”
I closed my eyes and kissed her forehead again.
Her trust was all I needed.
That and her willingness to kill me when the time came.
3
ALESSIO
“Hello,” I said, coming into the room where our best-kept secret was.
