From this distance, the scar splitting his eyebrow—courtesy of Salman’s sword—is more noticeable. It fits perfectly with the rest of his rugged, primitive appearance, especially that shaved head he keeps to look more imposing.
His voice is controlled, but his tone insulting. “Every word out of your mouth is a lie. I don’t give a fuck why you’re here or what you’re up to. I don’t trust you, Tony, not even a bit. But let me tell you this, whatever plot you’ve cooked up this time to take me down, I’m ready for it. I’m always watching you. Always one step ahead.”
The tension drains out of me. Emily hasn’t told him anything.
I lift my chin and smirk. “We’ll see, Carlo. We’ll see.”
My words carry a threatening undertone, and Carlo doesn’t miss it. His eyes narrow slightly. “You should also explain the stunt your girlfriend pulled. You’ve got one hour.”
The bastard knows exactly which buttons to push. “You’re not my capo. You don’t get to order me around.”
He seems satisfied by my frustration. “I might not be a capo yet, but I’ve got enough power to act like one. And trust me, whatever I say gets done, one way or another. You can make it easy, or you can make it ugly. Your call.”
He walks past me, and just before stepping into the estate, he turns and throws one last jab. “I’m sure you know what I’m hoping you’ll choose.”
Once he’s out of sight, I spin my head to Emily, who’s still perched on the horse, completely unaware of the chaos she’s unleashed. But she’ll know soon enough, because I’m about to throw some of that fire right back at her.
“Get that bitch inside,” I bark at Rafael.
Then I head back in, storming into my room and going straight to the window. My hands are clenched into fists, a volatile mix of hatred, rage, and frustration coursing through me.
The view from my room overlooks a serene lake, but right now, all I see is a curtain of blood clouding my vision.
It doesn’t take long for Rafael to drag the troublemaker in and throw her down at my feet. My anger burns so hot I can’t even bring myself to look at her.
Her sobs fill the room, and she scrambles to her feet, blurting out like the fool she is. “What the hell is wrong with you? You have no right to treat me like this! No right to be so rude when I just caught you red-handed, proving what a bastard you are! A lying, cheating snake who sleeps with another man’s wife…”
Her final words are the last straw, the spark that finally lit the fuse. I turn and slap her so hard she flies back onto the floor.
She presses a hand to her flushed cheek, staring at me in disbelief. My anger for her burns so fiercely that I can’t even speak. I gesture for her to stand, but she’s still stuck in her daze. Frustrated with her sluggish reaction, I glance at Rafael.
He steps forward, grabs her by the collar, and hoists her up before tossing her onto the bed.
I walk over to a chair a few steps from the bed, lower myself into it, and ask coldly, “Are you listening to me?”
Instead of answering, she stares at the sheets, clearly still in shock. Fuck it, I don’t have time for this.
I nod at Rafael again. He storms toward her, grabs her arm, and twists it viciously. The pressure makes her scream.
“Are you listening to me, Emily?” I repeat.
“Yes, yes! Please, let me go. You’re hurting me,” she sobs.
“Yes, sir,” Rafael dictates her.
Emily instantly mimics him like a parrot, “Yes, sir.”
He lets her go and she scrambles as far back as she can on the bed, trying to put as much distance between us as possible.
“Never put Lucia and Carlo’s names in the same sentence again.” I warn her. “It’ll cost you far worse than a broken arm next time.”
“Why are you doing this to me? I didn’t do anything wrong,” she moans in despair.
“You were spying on me behind closed doors. That alone is enough to make your life a living hell.”
“I wasn’t spying on you! I just wanted to spend some time with Lucia. I didn’t even know you were home. You told me you wouldn’t be back until tonight.”
“If I thought you’d done this on purpose or planned it, you wouldn’t even be here right now. But that doesn’t lessen your guilt. Now calm down and answer my question. What did you tell Carlo?”
