page22 (1/2)

"Well, I changed runts "I want her dead, and I want her dead now" He sidesteps and raises the gun again, clicking the safety off

Before he can shoot, I knock the gun out of his hand

A shot rings out, a bullet digging into the floor Eleanora lets out a gargled groan and Marzia shrieks in fear, cowering in the corner of the room

I glance at her to nore the hurt puppy look on her face and the way her body is tre with fear "Are you crazy?" I deirl Doesn't Get Fucking Hurt"

"You think you can order lares up at me

I've towered over hi down, not this time He won't kill Marzia I won't let him

"I own you, this house, and this captive If I say she's dead, she's dead"

"No" I shake ure "Let's talk outside"

"If we must" Father takes one last look at Marzia, like a predator scoping out his prey He tucks the gun back in its holster and storms out of the room

I'h to know she'llif she's okay, I rush after Father and follow him into his office two hallways down

He groans as he enters, the security guards stepping aside to let us pass inside Father always has so him In his line of work, you can never be too careful—and I don't mean the art collector business He sits behind his desk

I approach hi my hands down on the heavy oak desk "Why did you try to kill her?" I deht we had a deal"

"That girl is a fucking liability now that we know Vitto Donatti and her brother survived," Father spits out "We can't keep her alive As long as she's here, everyone in this fucking house is in danger Vitto and her brother won't stop until they have her back"

"Didn't we know all this before we storh my hair "She was always a liability You never wanted her dead before"

"Of course I did," he says easily, as if taking soht topic "You were just too pussy-struck by her to accept that"

"You can't kill her" I shake my head vehemently "I can't let you"

"Letyourself, boy You remember ns this house, don't you?"