Page 151 of Brutal Heir

His laugh sounded cold. “It’s not that simple.”

I took a step forward. “Make it simple.”

For a moment—just a moment—I saw something crack in his perfect facade. Something raw.

“Your safety depends on you not knowing,” he said.

“My safety?” I let out a sharp laugh. “I feel anything but safe right now. Why are you doing this?”

Sebastian’s eyes locked onto mine. “You’ll know when the time is right.”

“I want the truth now,” I snapped.

His expression didn’t waver. “You’re not ready for the truth.”

“You don’t get to decide that!”

“I decide everything. This is my world, Sabrina, and you’re in it whether you like it or not.”

I hated him.

Hated his control, his arrogance, his ability to make me feel so powerless.

But I wouldn’t let him win. Not completely.

“I’m not afraid of you."

Sebastian smiled then, faint and devoid of warmth. “You should be.”

My legs trembled as I backed toward the door, my mind racing.

The sound of his voice followed me when I turned and fled.

“You signed an employment contract with the House of Diamanti. Break it, and I’ll ruin you.”

CHAPTER 41

SABRINA

Something was wrong.

I could feel it—a prickle at the base of my spine.

Everything was too still, too perfect.

I ducked into the cafe next to the House of Diamanti headquarters.

It was alive with the buzz of morning chatter, the hiss of steaming espresso machines, and the clink of delicate porcelain cups against saucers.

I punched in the numbers that might take me away from all of this—the picture-perfect Italian setting and the dark underbelly it hid.

My palms itched as I stared at my phone, waiting for her to pick up.

It was time to tell my mother the truth.

Things had gotten out of control.

It was as if I were drowning—kicking and screaming as I splashed against the cold water, but nothing worked. I just kept slipping deeper and deeper into the darkness.