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“Are you telling me,” he begins, voice low, “that she didn’t know who you were until recently?”
My eyes widen. How did he—
“Oh, kid,” he mutters, annoyed. “How did you let it go this far without telling her what family you belonged to?”
I cock an eyebrow, pushing him off me. “Do I really need to give you the details of my sex life? Feels like we might push a boundary.”
He winces, face green. Makes two of us.
“How did you think this was going to go?” He scratches his chin. “Keep a mask on until the wedding night?”
I shrug. “Honestly? I didn’t think that far ahead.” I’m a planner. My brain sees all outcomes and has backup plans for the backup plans. Not with Valentina.
All I could see were her beautiful eyes, feel her in my arms, and the rest of the world faded away. When she was going to fuck someone, not me, I did something reckless—breaking into Roman’s club with no escape. But it was worth it—Valentina is worth it.
“At least you’re not a virgin anymore.”
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I say, exasperated, “How did you—”
“Who’s not a virgin anymore?” Hayes asks, peeking his head around the corner.
Killian grins, and I see the glee in his cold eyes. Bastard is enjoying my discomfort immensely.
“Briar.” He jerks a thumb in my direction. “Want to tell us who the lucky lady is?”
I shove him. Hard. He knows damn well I’m not telling Hayes shit. Not until I’m on the other side of the country where he can’t kill me. “Piss off.”
“As fun as it is to bug the kid,” Hayes says, smiling, “Maeve needs us.”
Together, we walk the hall and veer off into the grand office. Lex is at his desk, Sloane sitting on the corner. Her red locks are the same shade as the curtains and the various roses dotting the room.
It always amazes me how deeply Lex loves Sloane, after being forced into marriage. They weren’t a fairytale romance, but comprised of hatred and ruin. Yet, he wants reminders of her in their home together—because he can’t stand not to be surrounded by her.
What would it be like to be so enamored with someone?
I should force Valentina to marry me. That’d certainly end this stupid silence.
My sister turns, and my eyes land on the tattooed black rose on her chest.
The black rose is the symbol of the De Luca family. Every member has one on their body—Lex’s is at the base of his throat, usually hidden by a collared shirt. Sloane’s tattoo hides a nasty scar from Lex’s cousin, Dom, who tried to take her last year.
She endured agony to save him, sacrificing her safety for his.
Another sign of devotion.
Killian retreats to Maeve’s side. He gazes down at her, as if she’s his entire universe—everything of his is held in her hands. He’s the most fearsome man alive, but with one look from my sister, he’s an obedient pet. The guy is so devoted to her, too, that he has a tattoo on his neck.
It’s a playing card of a Queen of Hearts, because Maeve owns his.
I’m surrounded by so much love, I can’t help but envy what my sisters have found. What I know I feel for Valentina in my demented heart. She should be at my side, not preventing me from talking to her.
Behind me, a thumping cane pulls me from my ire. Nico enters the room, dressed in a dark suit, with his gray hair combed over his head. He’s a stout man, thin, riddled with cancer, but when he sees all of us, he smiles.
Nico lost his wife, Maria, only a few months ago, when the Board went after Maeve. She found them on their kitchen floor, bleeding out. Nico was saved—Maria wasn’t. He hasn’t been the same since.
“I thought I heard voices.”
Maeve walks over to him and hugs the older man. No one says anything, though we all exchange a wide look. Maeve doesn’t hug anyone. But Nico? He’s different. He was the only father figure she had when she was all alone, beaten, and broken. He gave her an escape—he helped her regain her power.
