That I would betray them so terribly.
“Fuck you, Alonzo. You can believe whatever the hell you want, but the only thing that you’re going to see is that you’re an idiot. If I were working with the fucking Russians, they would have already stormed this place, killed you, and takenthe women. Instead, I’m the one who is going to stop them from doing that by dealing with the assholes they’re trying to use to make that happen.”
“Are you really, or are you just going to tell them that we’re on to your plan and now you have to change course?”
“At this point, I don’t give a fuck what you believe. Leave me the fuck alone. You and I, we’re done. Don’t speak to me, don’t come around me, you arrogant son of a bitch. So fucking suspicious of everything and everyone.”
“What, so you can latch yourself onto someone else?” he sneers. “What? You think you can seduce them and?—”
Crack!
The slap of my hand across his cheek echoes in the room. He stares at me, shocked, even as I move to the door. “Fuck you, Alonzo.” My tone is cold and icy. I might hate him for thinking so little of me, for hurting me that badly.
I leave, heading back down the hall toward my new room. If Alonzo has any sense, he won’t follow me. Not when I’m so angry I might kill him.
When I enter my room, I shut the door, locking it, and turn to look at Hades, who is waiting for me. He bounds over to me, nudging my hand and whining. “I’m alright, baby,” I assure him, trying to calm the shaking in my body.
Finally, I sink to the floor, my back to the door, wrapping my arms around Hades’s neck when he sits next to me. He rests his head on my shoulder, his own small version of comfort.
Alone, the burning in my gut makes its way up my throat, making my nose and eyes sting. I squeeze my eyes tight, trying to keep the tears at bay. He doesn’t deserve them.
I never should have given him that much power over me. Let him in or give him any piece of me. He doesn’t deserve them, especially when he doesn’t know the real me. The one I wascontemplating trusting him with. The pieces I gave him, those were just the start. Eventually, I might have given him the rest.
The parts that I now know he can never know. Not if I don’t want to end up dead.
A harsh knock on the door jolts me, but I don’t move. I just grip Hades tighter.
“Rori,” Alonzo calls, frustrated. “Rori, we need to talk. Open up.” More knocking. “Rori, I know you’re in there…Look, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said any of that. I don’t…I don’t believe any of it.” He gives a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry, orsetta. Please. Let’s figure this shit out. I don’t want to worry about you in danger. It makes me crazy.”
I want to laugh in his face. Does he really expect me to believe any of that bullshit? He’s just trying to save face so that I won’t go to his father or Pietro. Or keep any of the information to myself. And does he think using that cute little nickname is going to soften me?
Just hearing it makes the tears fall. How did we get to this? How did we go from him calling me his little bear, a nickname Sofia explained to me when I asked, making me feel special, to him accusing me of being a Russian spy?
His apologies are too little, too late. Alonzo and I are done, and that means in every way I can manage. Whatever bullshit apology he’s planning, he can take it and shove it up his ass. I’m done.
21
ALONZO
Ilya’s Home:
The momentI shut the door, Zakhar appears from the shadows, a smirk pulling at his lips. “Figured I’d find you here when the guards said you weren’t in your room.” I stare at him, unspeaking. Does he expect me to apologize? Zakhar rolls his eyes. “We know all about the two of you, man. I also know that she’s really pissed at you, so if you want to fix that, you’re going to have to work fast and hard. Good thing for you, I’m good at that shit. First, though, Ilya wants to talk to you.”
“You mean he wants to kill me after I tell him what he wants to know? And I don’t need your fucking help with anything.” I’m not about to pretend I don’t know exactly what’s likely to happen when I get into Ilya’s office, but the idea that this prick thinks he knows Rori better than I do makes me want to punch him.
Preferably more than once.
His lips pull into a wide grin. “And they say the Italians have no brains.” I glare at him. “Work with us, and you’ll probablylive through the night. Ilya’s a bit prickly as he got some…unexpected news, so take that as you will. Come on. Best not to keep him waiting any longer.”
I don’t bother to protest, following him down the hall. For now, I have to play nice, but the moment we can get the hell out of here, all bets are off.
Ilya looks as pissed as I expected when we enter his office. More actually. I’m not sure what set him off, but from the veins in his neck bulging and the flushed color of his face, I’d have to say it’s something big. I quickly glance around the room, but I don’t see Simeon.
Probably for the best. The guy is pretty useless.
Zakhar motions for me to have a seat, but Ilya’s eyes are on me, and they are frigid. I hold his stare, refusing to be intimidated. I don’t sit, either. Instead, I cross my arms over my chest and give him a cold glare of my own.
At this point, Rori is scarier than he’ll ever be.
