Page 137 of Lovely Venom

“What’s happening?” I choke out.

“Put this on.” Cristian tosses me my robe as I scramble across the bed.

He edges toward the bedroom door, tension drawing his muscles tight. After a quick glance down the hall, he turns to face me, and I know it’s bad.

In that split second, I realize I’m about to lose everything.

“We have to go,” he says.

I’m shaking so badly, he has to help me with my robe, then he grabs a blanket from the bed and wraps that around me too.

Before I can even try to stand on my own, he lifts me into his arms, and I cling to him. But as he heads for the window, my gaze settles on the nightstand.

“Wait,” I cry out. “My music box.”

It’s the only thing I can’t replace, and Cristian’s focus is so intense, I’m not even sure he hears me. But my heart floods with relief when he turns around and lets me grab it.

Down the hall, more glass shatters, and someone calls out for Cristian. When he opens the bedroom window, one of the guards is already there, and it sounds like another one’s trying to get in the front of the house.

“What the fuck happened?” Cristian growls.

“He must have found a blind spot during the shift change,” the guard answers. “We have men on the ground trying to track him. He came in on foot.”

“Did you get a visual?” Cristian asks.

“Just a flash of dark clothing.”

Cristian lets out a frustrated breath as he lowers me out the window. Once I’m safely on the ground, he jumps out behind me and picks me back up.

As he carries me around the side of the house, we find two other guards trying to contain the fire from outside the living room windows. One has a hose, and the other has a fire extinguisher, but it looks like a lost cause.

“Try to save what you can,” Cristian tells them as we pass by. “I’m taking her to a secure location, then I’ll be back.”

The men reply, but I don’t hear what they say. All I can do is stare in horror as I watch the life I built go up in literal smoke.

Cristian does a quick sweep of the car before he opens the door and settles me into the passenger seat. When he sees the devastation on my face, he lets out a rough breath and crouches down in front of me.

“I know it doesn’t feel like it right now.” He takes my hands in his. “But everything’s going to be okay, piccola. Let’s just get through one thing at a time.”

I find myself nodding along as numbness sets in, though I’m not sure how any of it’s going to be okay.

Regardless, Cristian drives me to the marina.

An hour later, I’m on Black Stag Island, secured behind the fortress of the Vitale family estate.

It’s late, so the house is quiet, and Cristian takes me directly to his wing. As he leads me down the corridor, I realize we only made it as far as a guest room the last time we were here.

Tonight, he takes me to the primary suite, and it looks like something straight out of a gothic fairy tale.

Black trim frames the dark green walls, where metallic tree branches climb toward the ceiling inside dramatic arched wood panels.

Moonlight spills through the floor-to-ceiling windows, creating a moody, dreamlike atmosphere. Dark wood tables, ornate gold mirrors, and raven motifs give the space an Art Deco feel that I can’t help but love.

Intricate vine patterns are etched into a set of French doors, where a brass telescope stands nearby. And at the center of it all is an emerald velvet wingback bed that has to be the biggest one I’ve ever seen. It dominates the room, a sleeping throne fit for the Raven King.

“Not what you expected?” Cristian murmurs, watching me as I take it all in.

“I bet you’re really missing sleeping on the sofa right about now.” I force some levity into my voice, because if I don’t laugh, I’ll cry.