Page 53 of His Eternal Claim

“You’re fucked,” Massimo’s voice follows me, and I stop.

A humorless laugh tears out of me.

“You think I don’t know that?” I grip the handle tighter.

Because the truth is as ugly as everything.

I’ve put bullets between men’s eyes and slept like a baby after. I’ve burned families to ash for crossing me, watched grown men beg at my feet while choking on their own blood.

None of it ever makes my hands shake, but she walks out of my office, and I can’t fucking breathe right.

“Once you have Italy’s throne, backed by Bianchi Clan, power is yours. Your woman will be safe.” His words have that coaxing power. And I hate to admit it’s working. “Vane won’t exist, and your enemies will know their place.”

“Like I said, she’ll be mine either way. And if someone dares to take her from me,” I say quietly, “there won’t be enough power in Italy to save him.”

“Why complicate things, when all you have to do is sit and watch.”

He’s baiting me.

Fucking bastard.

I look over my shoulder. He looks deceptive enough, but if he believes only I can find that woman, there must be something, or probably someone being a nuisance to him.

I’d love to shake hands with that person.

Coming to think of it, I might have an idea.

“But…” I smile wider. “If you can arrange a meeting with Judas Romanovski.”

Massimo’s jaw clenches as I say. “I might re-consider.”

Chapter 18

Baby, When We Touch

THE REQUIEM | Present

Iam falling.

Sinking.

Endlessly.

Something beneath me has opened its mouth… and decided I belong inside it.

The void is thick. Wet. Breathing. I try to scream, and black liquid floods my mouth.

My lungs. My throat.

I choke on it and thrash. But there’s no floor. No ceiling. No sky. No God.

Just darkness so complete it feels alive. And hungry.

My heartbeat pounds in my ears.

Thump.

Thump.