Page 90 of Sinister Intentions

“What did you say?”

But she ignored me completely, which was just fine. She wasn’t in any condition to fight with me anyway.

At least not right now.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

The city lights blurred past the car window, a kaleidoscope of neon and shadows as Vince’s car sped through the streets. Nervous energy coursed through me—replacing the slight buzz from the alcohol.

My fingers trembled as I pulled out my phone to text Fiona while my mind was still trying to come to grips with what had just happened.

When I’d seen Vince, I thought for a moment I was hallucinating until he opened his mouth, barked orders, hurt my friend, and dragged me out of there.

And what the hell? Iset—aka Isabella Salvini—was his sister?

How on earth did that happen? This was too much of a coincidence. Was every single Salvini family member targeting me?

I shook my head. It was all too much right now for me to handle.Focus on what is important.My thumb hovered over my chat with Fee.

Seven messages waiting. Shit. I should’ve told her where I was before she started to freak out and sent the Evil Prince himself.

I cast a sideways glance at Vince. His jaw was clenched tight as he navigated the late-night traffic. The lights cast shadows across his face, highlighting the sharp angles and dangerous shadows.

He met my eyes, and my stomach fluttered. Damn him for being so attractive even when he was annoying as hell. The air between us crackled with unspoken tension. He’d carried me out of the pub as if I was a child, as if I was his to order around.

Which I was not.

I focused back on my phone, ignoring the man next to me. What should I tell Fee? I started typing, then deleted, then started again. The words felt hollow, inadequate.

Hey, sorry I disappeared. I’ll explain everything later.

That was all I managed to type before unwanted thoughts crept in.

What would happen if I disappeared for real? Would she and my sisters understand and forgive me or would our bond crumble because of my decision? But I, at least, needed to let them know beforehand or write a letter or something to let them know I was okay.

I sighed. I’d planned to get my freedom in any way possible, so why was I suddenly hesitating? Why did saying goodbye suddenly feel too overwhelming to even think about?

Damn. Saying goodbye to everyone and everything I’d known would suck. But if my identity got out, I wouldn’t have another option.

And even if not. I side-eyed Vince again. I would not marry his brother. Not ever.

The weight of everything going on pressed down on me and made it hard to breathe in the confines of the car all of a sudden.

My hands shook slightly as I sent the text, then stared at the blank screen. Just thinking about my situation, it hit me: I was in way over my head, playing dangerous games with very dangerous people.

I side-eyed Vince. And yet here I was, sitting next to one of those, if not the most dangerous man, who could make me disappear without a trace. And instead of doing what every halfway-sane person would do—staying as far away from him as possible?

What was I doing? I was partying in his city, with his sister like a complete idiot.

And as if that wasn’t dumb enough, the first thought running through my head when I looked down from the bar and saw him was how annoyingly attractive he was and how happy I was he was there.

I was going mental.

I leaned back and closed my eyes. I’d had so much fun tonight. Everyone was in the mood to let loose since our gym had been pretty successful in the tournament. And Iset—Isabella—fit in with my friends as if she’d been a part of the group forever.

I hadn’t been ready to leave. Not yet, not without saying goodbye.

But he hadn’t even given me the chance.

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