I brace my hands on the counter and stare at my reflection in the mirror. My damp hair clings to my face, and my eyes look tired, haunted even.
Why would he do this? Why would he care this much when we spend half our time pushing each other away?
I shake my head and leave the bathroom, pushing the thought aside. There are other important things to think about.
With no strength left to dry my hair or unpack my clothes, I drop onto the bed, tracing my hands over the silk bedspread.
I sink my head into the pillow, knowing this comfort is short-lived. The sun will rise tomorrow, and I have no idea what the day will bring.
This is my life now. Living in fear and walking on eggshells. Who would have thought?
I close my eyes, trying to sleep, when I remember Finn's words."Don't let anyone in unless it's me."
I open my eyes and rush out of bed to confirm the door is really locked. After checking, I climb back into bed, but I can't sleep. I toss and turn until, eventually, nature takes its course, and I slowly slip into unconsciousness.
I stir slowly, the weight of sleep still heavy on my eyes. The room has a soft glow of early morning light. For a second, I can't remember where I am. The unfamiliar scent of lavender and linen clings to the sheets, and silence fills my ears.
I blink up at the ceiling. Strange ceiling. High and smooth, nothing like mine.
That's when it hits me. I am not at the Rosso estate. I shift beneath the blanket, my legs brushing against the silk sheets, and turn my head toward the window. And then I see something. A figure. Sitting.
I blink again, and my breath catches. There, on the love seat across the room, Declan sits, still and quiet, like he has been there a while. Watching me.
"What the—" I shoot upright, yanking the blanket up to my chest like a shield. My heart races, and I look around the room before my eyes land on him.
The edge of his lips twists into a smirk, and he raises his wrist to check his watch.
"I thought you were going to sleep forever," he says like this is a normal situation.
"What are you doing here?" I snap, my voice sharp and crackling with sleep and alarm. "How did you get in?" My pulse thunders in my ears. The blanket twists in my fists. I can't tell if it is fear or adrenaline, but my whole body is awake now.
"I guess you've forgotten that this is my home, Rosso. I can be anywhere I want, anytime."
He stands slowly. The effortless motion of it makes my stomach turn. He has on a casual navy sweatshirt and pants, unlike yesterday. But his casual dressing does nothing to dampen his dangerous look. He barely makes a sound as he stalks toward me.
My heart races as he moves. Slow and deliberate, like a predator closing the distance to its prey. I tighten the blanket around me like it could make me disappear. My back presses into the headboard as if I could sink through it and vanish into the wall.
His eyes remain on me as he stops by my bedside. "What is your plan, girl? Why are you here?"
I swallow. I know Declan won't trust so blindly.
"I told you yesterday. Vito threw me out and—" I start, but he cuts me off.
"I don't care about your fucking sob story. You know what I think you are? A poisoned apple planted in our midst. I don't know your objective yet, but I will find out, and when I do, I promise to make your punishment slow and painful. It'll serve as an example to show others what it means to mess with the Irish."
I know what he is doing. He wants to scare me so I slip up. I have seen Vito, Marco, and Dante play this game before, and I won't fall for it.
"That won't be necessary, because I'm telling the truth. I have nowhere to go. No money and no family to accept me. I'm all alone, and Finn is all I have."
Declan narrows his gaze, searching my face. "Hmm."
He walks around the edges of the bed. "I don't give a shit about you, but Finn does, and he can help you get out of New York. He can help you start a new life."
Declan is right. I don't necessarily need to be here. "We both know what betrayal means in our world. Vito might not kill me, but sending me out of the family already means death. We have enemies everywhere. I will have a target on my back no matter where I hide, but I know I would be safe here," I say.
Declan scoffs. "Safe? Here? I don't think you get it, poison apple. You are in the enemy's home. Nobody cares what happens to you here. The shielded life you've lived is over."
It must be a curse. Every man I have ever met has threatened me in one way or another, and the fact that I am always helpless in these situations makes me angry — not just at them, but at myself.
