Page 29 of Stolen Queen

"He'd better be," Rinella snarls. "I just hope the little bitch hasn't defiled herself and ruined the deal."

It takes every ounce of self-control I possess not to lunge across the room and wrap my hands around Rinella's throat. Thecasual way he talks about selling his daughter, about punishing her for daring to seek freedom… he deserves to die.

We leave the Rinella home, and I want to return to Ava to make her see her chances at happiness and safety are so much better with me. But Elio has me going with Lazaro to start the search.

We should start with the areas she might know," Lazaro suggests as we drive through the city. "I don’t remember talking to her about any.”

“She doesn’t have any.”

He glances at me as I drive. I wonder if he can see through me.

“Rinella keeps her well-guarded. She doesn’t have friends or hangouts. She’s graduated from school," I say matter-of-factly.

“She had to have gone somewhere.”

I shrug. We spend hours combing through parks, high-end shopping districts, and even a few clubs, although not the one she showed up at five weeks ago. As expected, there's no sign of her.

“Maybe she left town,” I say.

“We should check the bus, train, and airport, I suppose.” Lazaro checks his watch.

I smirk. “Eager to get back with the fiancée?”

His smile is quick, and it’s nice that he’s finally found someone who makes him happy and calm. “I won’t deny it.”

“Let’s call it a night, then. Chances are she’ll show up or, like you said, Rinella will get a call.”

I’m relieved when Lazaro agrees with me.

I head back to my penthouse, not sure what I’ll find when I return. Ava's still sitting on the bed as if she’s waiting for me.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what I have to do. "Time's up, Princess. But before you decide, there's something you need to know."

Her eyes are dull, lifeless. I'm failing at my goal. “Your father is pissed. I quote, ‘I’ll punish her to within an inch of her life.’ Then he said he’ll lock you up until he hands you over to Nardone. He doesn’t give a shit what Nardone does with you after that. Are you aware that Nardone has had several wives go missing?”

The color drains from her face, and I feel like shit for having to manipulate her like this. But what choice do I have?

“Or you can stay here. Under my protection.” I step closer to her, my eyes locked on hers. "What's it going to be?"

"I'll stay," she whispers, her voice barely audible.

I should feel triumphant. This is what I wanted. To keep her safe, to protect her from the monsters waiting to devour her. But as I look at her, small and vulnerable on the bed, I feel an emptiness in my chest.

"Alright," I say, my voice gruffer than I intend. I turn to leave, but her quiet voice stops me.

"Thank you," she says, though there's no warmth in her tone. "For giving me a choice."

I have the urge to go to her, to drop to my knees and make her see that all I want is her happiness. But she’s not ready to understand that yet. So I nod, not trusting myself to speak.

I leave the room, shutting the door and making sure it’s locked. Then I head to my study, pouring myself a generous glass of whiskey. The amber liquid burns as it goes down, but it does nothing to ease the ache in my chest.

I've won, but it feels like a hollow victory. I wanted her to choose me because she wanted me, not because I was the lesser of two evils. That knowledge sits like a lead weight in my gut.

11

AVA

Isit on the edge of the bed, my shoulders slumped in defeat. Matteo's footsteps fade down the hallway, leaving me alone with the crushing weight of my new reality. I'm trapped. Going home isn't an option anymore. Not after what Matteo told me.

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