Page 60 of Indecent Villain

He slips his hand into his pocket and retrieves a small, wrapped package. "Happy birthday, Kinsley."

I take the neatly wrapped gift and slowly unwrap it. A black box sits in my hands. I glance at the man. He waves a hand toward the gift and looks embarrassed. I open the lid and find a gold necklace with a heart pendant. I recognize it.

"Yes, Kinsley. It belonged to your mother," he says, his voice husky.

"She never took it off," I murmur. "It was the only piece of jewelry she never went anywhere without. She never let me touch it." I gaze at Cannon as so many questions run through my mind. "It disappeared the night she died. I asked the police about it. She wasn't wearing it. How did you come to have it?"

He opens his mouth to speak but doesn't get that far as the library doors burst open.

Cannon shoots to his feet and stands in front of me. His protection startles me, and I glance at Tiberius.

"Why are you three behind closed doors?" Rossi asks, taking in the scene before him. "Looking guilty, I might add."

For some reason, I do not want the man to see the necklace Cannon has given me, so I slip it into my bra. I quickly remove the brooch from the jar and pin it back onto my dress before standing and moving beside Cannon. Tiberius doesn't know who to keep his eyes on—Cannon or Aldo. To help him, I move past Cannon. For some reason, I feel the need to reassure him as well, so I squeeze his arm before continuing toward Tiberius.

"Mr. Rossi, I am sorry we left our guests. My brother wanted a private word with me, which is why I thought you suggested this event." I smile to take the bite out of my words, hiding my annoyance at the interruption. Cannon had more to say, and I wanted to hear it. I did not feel threatened by him at all. I do feel threatened by the man who interrupted us, though.

"I did suggest this little birthday party; however, my intention was for us all to be present as you met your half-siblings. I didn't intend for it to take place behind closed doors."

Tiberius bristles at his words, and I notice Cannon clench his fists before he forces himself to relax.

I intervene once more. "Mr. Rossi, please forgive me. Having been brought up apart from the rest of my family, I had no idea that was the decorum. I wanted a private conversation with my oldest sibling. Please forgive me as I did not mean to slight you in any way."

Shut up now, Kinsley. That's enough groveling.

Rossi narrows his focus. "Come, dear, I would now like a private word, but let’s step out onto the patio. It is a beautiful evening, with the moonlight glinting off the lake."

"I…" I hesitate.

"As with Edge, I will accompany Kinsley," Tiberius says, determined.

"I will speak to her alone. She will be safe with me. Probably safer than she would be with Edge," Rossi snaps. "This is not up for negotiation."

I am not interested in being alone with this man, but it seems I have no choice in the matter.

Both Tiberius and Cannon look ready to go to battle for me, which surprisingly settles my stomach. Plus, I have to assume Rossi isn’t stupid enough to start something with Tiberius’s men all over the grounds.

"I will be fine." I place a hand on Tiberius’s chest. "Give us ten minutes."

"Then I'm coming for you," he says.

"Why don't you and Cannon get reacquainted?" I suggest, turning my attention to Cannon, who shares the same look of displeasure as Tiberius. I roll my eyes. "Please. For me." I turn back to Tiberius and lean in to whisper in his ear. "I don't think everything is as it seems. Talk to Cannon about my mother.” I smile and pat his chest.

"Shall we, Mr. Rossi?" I approach the man.

He holds his arm out for me, and I slip mine through his against my better judgment. If what Cannon told me is to be believed, then this man killed my parents. I need to be very careful around him.

As we walk out onto the patio, I can't shake the unease settling in the pit of my stomach. Despite his charming facade, there's something dark lurking beneath the surface of Mr. Rossi.

"Let's walk. It's a lovely evening, and I'm sure Beckett has men stationed all around."

I neither confirm nor deny as he leads me down the central path of the lawn toward the lake.

"What do you wish to talk about?" I ask, uneasy at the silence.

"What did Edge tell you?"

Is he fishing for what Cannon knows about him?

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