Page 99 of Shattered Jewel

“Is Rossi here?” My voice is way more high-pitched than usual.

Rio’s brow twitches at the mention of Rossi, but he otherwise remains unmoved. “If it’s a paper or his favor you’re trying to gain, he no longer works for the university.”

Wilder scoffs. “No shit. He’s the new mafia don. I wouldn’t want him teaching my kid business ethics, even if my child were an rich asshole dumped in the woods as a work-around to the Ivy Leagues.”

Rio cocks his head at that, appearing outright supine. “You’re aware of who he is.”

Wilder rolls his eyes. “Huh. And here I thought you weren’t one to mince words. Yet here you are, stating the obvious.”

I stifle a grin at my and Wilder’s parallel thoughts. But I sober and answer Rio, “He helped me and my … friend, Kaspian, out of a bad situation. And you know his name.” I point to Wilder. “So you must know why we might be showing up at your doorstep.”

Rio blinks. “I’m aware enough that any assistance on our part was not open-ended. We tried to warn you, and you ignored it. You have no further business with us.”

“I want to talk to Clover,” I insist.

At last, a flare of emotion bursts through Rio’s stone expression.

I wince.

It’s the same one utilized by Wilder when he goes into alpha mode.

Rio shifts until his tall frame blocks the entrance. “Clover isn’t accepting visitors.”

“Is she sick?” I ask, infusing worry in my tone, even though I’m certain he’s full of shit.

Rio’s eyes harden, and he takes a moment before responding. “That’s none of your concern.”

Wilder plants his feet beside me, too similar to a fighter shaking out his body before springing onto his opponent for my liking. “Are you going to make us force our way in?”

A hint of amusement tilts the corners of Rio’s mouth. “I’d like to see you try.”

I cross my arms over my chest as I watch them square off.

Wilder’s got an air of confidence that’s intriguing, yet terrifying. It reminds me of how he dominates any situation, even if it’s as simple as negotiating with a man who looks like he could crush us with a single eye-twitch if he wanted to.

I cut in, positioning myself between Wilder and Rio. “We’re not here to fight. I just want to talk to Clover.”

Rio stares at me, his dark eyes boring into mine as if trying to peel back the bone of my skull and peer directly into my thoughts. I force myself to keep his gaze.

The seconds stretch out, the suspense tangible enough to choke on. Wilder’s body is a solid line of heat behind me, his muscles still taut with the urge to fight.

Finally, Rio’s lips thin into a hard line.

“Wait here,” he orders.

The door slams shut in our faces with a resounding bang.

“Well. I think he likes us,” Wilder says.

I blow out a long, hard breath, staving back an anxiety attack at the thought of peeling bits of Wilder and Rio off the pretty courtyard.

“Do you think he’ll actually let us see her?” I ask.

Wilder shrugs, his eyes fixed on the door. “Who knows. But we’re not leaving until we get some answers.”

Minutes drag by, each second stretching into an eternity. Just as my patience wears thin, the door creaks open.

Rio reappears, his expression even more foreboding than before.

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