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“When I’m gone, I want you to live a beautiful, long life. Fall in love again. You’re not too old to have another child. Live and be happy.” Dad’s eyes snap to mine with so much anger, then he cries, “Stop talking like that. I’m not letting you die, and I sure as fuck don’t want other kids. I want you, Skylar. You’re my daughter, and no one can take your place.”
“Why won’t I let you be my guard?” “Yes.” “Because it’s my job to protect you. Not vice versa.” “But –” “Enough, Giulio,” I snap. “Christ.” When he parks the car in front of the restaurant, his tone is remorseful when he says, “I didn’t mean to upset you.” Glancing over his shoulder, his eyes meet mine. “I just want to be able to keep you safe.” Letting out a sigh, I look at him and reply, “And I want to keep you safe. As the oldest between us, it’s my duty.”
A smile splits across his face, and looking happy as fuck he shoots forward to hug me. “I won’t disappoint you, Renzo,” he promises, his tone tense. Patting his back, I reply, “I know.”
Leaning down, I press a kiss to his forehead, then whisper, “Addio, fratello. Ti vendicherò.”
“I’ve got you,” he whispers, and that’s all it fucking takes for the pain to explode from me.
My voice is hoarse and filled with sorrow and rage as I whisper, “They fucking gutted him open like a fish.” My stomach burns with bile. “His heart was in a fucking box.” “Christ, Renzo,” Franco murmurs. “I’m so fucking sorry.”
This isn’t right. Giulio was supposed to bury me. Not the other way around.
I’m enjoying this little game of cat and mouse way too fucking much.
who must still be shitting herself in the restroom.
💀
“I would rather have died a dignified death than be subjected to this horror.”
Watching Skylar scream at her father on the livestream from the camera in the room brings me a sliver of satisfaction. It looks like she’s losing her mind, and it’s clear she had no idea where the kidney came from. Not that it changes anything. I’m still going to make her suffer for the rest of her life.
“If you could turn back time, would you die so my brother could live?” Again, I don’t hesitate. “Yes.”
I hear his steady heartbeat. That’s when I realize just how much trouble I’m in. Where my heart is fluttering like a caged bird’s, Renzo’s is steady. Not even killing a man can get his heart rate up.
When I gather the dishes, Renzo snaps, “Leave it and go get some rest.” Not waiting for him to change his mind, I rush out of the kitchen. When I head up the stairs, I hear Renzo say, “Stop trying to get to know the woman. She’s a fucking prisoner.” “Your prisoner,” Dario mutters. “I’ll be friendly with her if I want to.”
Franco gives me a look of warning. “Hold my fucking son, Renzo.” Reluctantly and very fucking awkwardly, I take the baby, instantly anxious I’ll drop him.
“Because of her, I have no heir,” I mutter. “Because
Please don’t hurt him.” Fuck, she’s asking permission to cry, and it hits me square in the chest.
My voice is filled with embarrassment as I reply, “I’ll be right out.” Instead of leaving, he stalks to me, and taking hold of my chin, he forces me to look at him. His features are cut from stone as he says, “Don’t you dare make this awkward. I made you come, and you loved it. Own it.”
The same men who killed Giulio just murdered Dad and Louisa in cold blood. As the unbearable sorrow rips through me, I realize how Renzo must’ve felt. I realize why he’s been so ruthless in his pursuit of finding those who played a part in his brother’s death. The same destructive rage and pain that fueled his thirst for vengeance creeps into every part of my soul.
Not once since Dad’s death has this man lost his temper with me. Instead, he’s carried me more than I’ve ever been carried in my life, made sure I don’t skip meals or my medication, and hovered obsessively around me. He’s been so caring and attentive I’m struggling to keep him out of my heart.
