Page 71 of While You Sleep

My fingers curled into a tight fist. I didn’t like this feeling, the monster roaring inside me, the grip of its claws digging into flesh in the center of my chest.

What she somehow hadn’t fully grasped was that when I made something mine, I didn’t give it up. Ever.

No, pet. This wasn’t happening. You don’t get to leave.

You are mine.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Cillian

Alto stood as I strode across the restaurant. It was early, the place closed. His gaze darted behind me, looking for his guards, they were both bleeding on the ground.

“Your men will live, if you move fast.”

Vince stood beside Alto and drew his gun. So did Conor and Declan who stood either side of me.

“What is the meaning of this, Cillian?”

“You lied, old man,” I said.

He straightened, fury filling his dark eyes. “What is it you accuse me of?”

“Paolo. He never left.”

Alto’s gaze sliced to Vince. “My word is my bond. I didn’t lie. Vince put him on the plane.”

I raised a brow. “Did he now? Then how is it that Paolo’s men broke into my home last night?”

Alto turned to his second. The asshole was sweating. “Tell him, Vince, that my nephew left the city.”

Vince scowled at me, but he was shaking. “O’Rourke lies.”

I stared the fucker down, and he shifted uneasily. “He has my wife,” I said to Alto without looking away. The fact that Sophia left willingly was irrelevant. I didn’t know why she’d go with Paolo. I had my suspicions and, looking at Vince, I was sure the fucker had the answers.

More of Alto’s men rushed into the room, guns raised. Alto shook his head, and they lowered their weapons. His cold gaze slid to Vince. “Did my nephew leave?”

The fucker continued to scowl at me, mouth jammed shut.

“Answer me,” Alto demanded. “Or I’ll have Carmine get you to talk.”

Sweat poured down the fucker’s face, even as defiance straightened his spine. “He did not.”

“You betrayed me?” Alto said, menace in his eyes.

Vince shook his head. “We did this for you. To strengthen our position, to—”

“No,” Alto roared. “You undermined me.” One of his men pressed a gun to Vince’s head. “You think you can take my place? You think Paolo would let you live once I’m gone.” He said something in Italian and Vince flinched. “Speak,” Alto demanded.

“Paolo, he did a deal with Brennan. They tie the families together, a marriage, Brennan would take O’Rourke’s territory, and Paolo would take your place.”

“And you’d be his second?”

“Yes.”

“Where is my wife?” I said, interrupting. I’d heard enough.

Vince’s gaze slid to me. “She isn’t your wife anymore. The annulment went through this morning. Her father arranged it.” He smirked. “She wanted this, wanted to get away from you. She wanted an Italian between her thighs, not an Irish piece of shit.” He spat on the floor, narrowly missing my shoe.

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