Page 213 of Bishop

As far as I’m concerned, he’s never coming back… At least, not for me.

40

BISHOP

ONE WEEK LATER

I stand at the front doors of Lorenzo’s Virginia Beach property, my mouth set in a sneer, the expression pulling at the stitches in my cheek.

This was a mistake. One I should turn around and walk away from. But it’s not like the fucker inside doesn’t know I’m here. The exotic birds caged in his backyard announced my presence long before I jumped his front gates and stalked my ass across the drive.

On cue, the door opens without me having to knock, the face of my mentor staring back at me, his attention briefly fixating on the sickening wound on the right side of my face before he meets my gaze.

“Figlio,” he greets, schooling his expression.

I keep my mouth shut and glare.

He inclines his head as if my silence is answer enough. “I appreciate you coming.”

“We both know Adena is the only reason I responded to your constant messages. Your promise better not have been for nothing.”

He sighs. “It was a peace offering. One that comes with stipulations.”

“Of course.” I scoff. “I should’ve fucking known.”

“I won’t apologize for doing what I could to get you to return to the family—”

“I haven’t returned. I told you I’m done.”

“You were angry.”

“Nothing has changed,” I seethe.

“Then maybe what I offered is best left for another day.”

“Like hell.” I barge past him and enter the house. “Is she downstairs?”

“Wait.” He slams the door and turns to me. “I haven’t changed my stance on her punishment. She’s to remain alive.”

I clench my hands at my sides, my rage not having lessened in nine days.

“You need to stick to the plan,” he continues. “Remain professional. Be the man I taught you to be.”

I smile. All teeth. Loads of aggression. “The man you taught me to be wants to bathe in her blood.”

“There will be no bathing today.”

I shake my head in disgust. “That bitch shot me in the fucking face.”

“Is that why you’re still angry?”

“An inch to the left and I’d be dead,” I snap.

“Yes. But you didn’t answer my question.”

I shove my hands into my pockets, clenching my fists harder. I’m sure he’s well aware my injury isn’t why I crave Adena’s death. He knows it’s because of Abri. Because of my unwanted attachment to a woman now stuck under my skin.

But I refuse to confirm his assumptions. I don’t dare to speak her name out loud from fear she’ll take more of a hold over me.

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