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My blood boiled as I scanned through Sabrina's earlier text exchange with Mark.

Just then, the app reloaded as new text messages came through.

She was texting him now.

I waited, my blood rising with each passing second, a red haze washing over my eyes as I envisioned wrapping my hands around Mark’s throat and watching the life die in his eyes.

Things were unraveling.

I needed to get back control.

"Sabrina's mother…"

Benedict waved a hand in my direction. "It's already taken care of. On my way over here, I alerted the man you sent to stay close to her. Apparently the Badalamenti women cast quite the spell over the men who cross their paths. Let's just say he took the new information…personally. He assured me anyone trying to get to her would have to go through him. I took the liberty of giving him permission to double the guards covertly watching her."

"Of course." I looked back at my screen.

The text from Sabrina appeared, but before I could read it, my father strolled into the ballroom looking pleased with himself.

Fabrizio Diamanti entered like he owned the place, his gray hair perfectly styled despite the late hour, his custom suit without a single crease. His thin lips curved into a smile that never reached his cold eyes.

"Your time's up, son. Turns out the judge's investigation just received a new cache of documents. It's over. The board is expecting your resignation in the morning." He puffed out his chest. "I will of course graciously offer to step in to save the company.”

Tossing my phone aside, I grabbed him by the shirt and spun him until his back slammed against the closest mirror, shattering it. "You fucking piece of shit. I know."

My father struggled as I raised him off the floor, his expensive Italian loafers dangling. "Get your hands off me."

Benedict stepped forward but one look from me and he backed off.

This was between me and my father.

Through clenched teeth, I ground out, "They got those documents from you, you bastard."

He choked as he clawed at my wrists. "I did what I had to do to save the Diamanti dynasty."

"Fuck the dynasty. I don't give a damn about the House of Diamanti. You can have it." The words ripped from my throat, raw and honest.

His eyes widened then he smiled, the expression grotesque with triumph even in his struggle for air. "I'm glad you're coming to your senses."

My lip curled. "Too bad you won't be around to enjoy it."

He frowned, the first flicker of fear crossing his face.

I pulled him away from the shattered mirror as I jerked him close and sneered in his face. "You tried to kill the woman I love. You can't imagine for a second I'd let you live after that."

The word had slipped out without any thought.

Love.

Not possess.

Not control.

Love.

The admission hung in the air between us, more damning than any confession I could have made.

I waited for the denial to rise. The correction. The familiar voice in my head insisting this was strategy, leverage, a long game.