Page 245 of The Devil's Fire

“You will see.” I gave her a playful grin as her smile dropped when she heard the splashing sounds of me walking into the cold water.

“What are you doing?” She eyed me suspiciously, tightening her hold on me. I continued walking deeper into the water until it reached my thighs.

“You don’t want to go for a swim?” I asked.

“No! The water is ice cold!”

“Sounds like a problem. For you.” I gave her a devilish smirk, then grabbed her waist and tossed her into the water. Althaia screamed before disappearing under the water.

I made my way out of the water, but turned around when I heard her resurface.

“I-I’m going to kill you!” She shouted at me, her teeth chattering, and her body shivering from the cold.

“I would like to see you try.” I taunted. She was half my size, and the only real physical damage she could ever cause me was kicking me right in the balls.

“Get back here so I can drown you!”

I watched her as she tried to run out of the water, only to trip and fall face first, right back into the water.

I laughed out loud at the amusing sight, which only made her angrier with every step she took toward me. I didn’t move, waiting for her to come closer. Once close, I grabbed her by the waist to carry her.

“No! You better not throw me in the water again!” She squirmed in my hold, attempting to break free, but I held her tightly against me.

“You did that perfectly on your own.” I teased, earning me a glare from her. She shivered against my body as I walked back with her to the house, calling for Kiara to follow us.

“Why w-would you do th-that?” Althaia struggled to talk with her teeth chattering. I chuckled, and she gave me a sour look in return.

“Part of your punishment.”

“What did I do to be punished?!”

“Fuck, piccola, where should I even begin? The list is long.” Her eyes went wide, and I laughed before kissing her cold lips. “Now, let me get you warmed up and fuck you to sleep.”

“Someone’s looking quite relaxed.” Raffaele snickered when I entered my office.

We had returned to the manor after a few days at the safe house. Althaia wanted to catch up with Cara, and I left to give them privacy.

“It’s amazing what it does to you when you finally get to fuck.” He continued with a smug grin. I shot him a blank look.

“Are you done?”

“Yeah, I’m saving some for Althaia later.” He laughed and sprawled out on the couch. Antonio shook his head at Raffaele’s comments.

“Did she tell you why she was at the LuxePalace?” Antonio asked once Lorenzo came into the office.

“She did. She went to talk to Alexei Vasiliev.” I revealed. Raffaele sat up straight, letting out a whistle.

“Yo, she got some balls of steel!”

“For what reason?” Lorenzo’s brows furrowed, his voice carrying a hint of suspicion.

“Turns out her mother had a romantic history with him.” I said. I proceeded to share everything she told me about Jacinta and Alexei Vasiliev as they listened attentively.

“Could he be the one who was after her mother?” Raffaele wondered.

“It’s a possibility, but I don’t think it’s him.” I then explained my thoughts since I learned about their history. “I want whatever needs to be gathered to see if it’s a match.” I finished, receiving nods from them.

“We can do that at the wedding with no suspicion and get the results immediately.” Antonio added.

---