Page 52 of The Curse of Blood and Silenc

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“Ah, now she understands.” His smile revealed teeth too sharp, too numerous. “I felt you there, in that vampire’s pathetic sanctuary. A mere baby, playing with powers you barely comprehend.” His hand clamped around my arm like a steel trap. My muscles, my very will, belonged to him now.

“Let me show you, little Nephilim, what happens to those who think they can escape me.”

My lungs burned with each ragged breath as I waited for death’s mercy.

He caught my chin, claws pricking skin. “Death? Oh no, precious little one. I want you to live. Live, and remember.” His face drew closer, sulfur on his breath. “I’m going to hunt you. And when I find you—not if, when—your vampire king will watch helplessly as I claim what’s mine.”

He broke into a sinister smile. “And then it will be your turn to watch as I rip out his heart.”

His nails lengthened into obsidian razors.

The first slash came faster than a blink.

I bolted awake,my scream echoing off the walls. Angelo was gone. Where was he? The agony was molten metal under my skin. With trembling fingers, I touched my arm.

Three cuts wept fresh blood onto the sheets.

They spelled a word:

Soon.

Chapter

Twenty-Seven

Angelo

Serenity’s screamshattered the silence like a bullet through glass. I never should have left her. The ancient tome slipped from my fingers, hitting the floor with a dull thud that echoed my dropping heart. Every protective instinct I possessed roared to life. My mate was in danger.

I moved faster than shadows, the world blurring around me. Behind me, I heard Enzo and Dimitri’s pounding footfalls.

The door splintered under my hand as I burst into our bedroom. My fangs descended, ready to tear apart whatever dared threaten what was mine.

“Serenity?” The word was a feral growl. Luigi was already there, sword drawn, methodically sweeping the shadows of our sanctuary. The second time. This was the second fucking time he’d failed to protect her on his watch.

“Capo,” Luigi stuttered, his face pale as moonlight.

I picked him up and tossed him across the room like a piece of garbage. The impact split the mahogany-paneled wall,sending splinters cascading to the floor. The sound of breaking wood echoed through the mansion’s hallway. “What happened?”

“I—I don’t know.” He looked up at me with horror etched across his face, a thin line of blood trickling from his split lip. His designer suit was crumpled, dusted with debris. “She... she just started screaming, then locked herself in the bathroom. I swear on my life,Capo, I swear on my mother’s grave?—”

I grabbed him by his silk shirt, lifting him until his feet dangled and kicked. The fabric strained under my grip. “Was anyone with her?”

He frowned, sweat beading on his forehead. “No,Capo. No one. She was alone in the bedroom, sleeping. Everything was fine until?—”

I dropped him, not caring how he landed. My boots echoed against the marble floor as I hurried to the bathroom, the scent of fear and blood growing stronger with each step. I slammed my fist against the ornate door, the wood creaking under the impact. “Serenity, open this door.”

I could hear her soft tears on the other side—a sound that nearly shattered my centuries-old heart. Each quiet sob was like a silver dagger twisting in my chest. The beast within me stirred, sensing her distress. Someone had hurt her.

And I would rip out that someone’s throat. Slowly. Painfully. They would learn why the other mafia families feared the name Angelo Santi.

“Open this door right now, Serenity, or I’ll rip it off its hinges.” My voice was deadly calm, but the threat was real. Nothing would keep me from her.

“Angelo, what’s going on?” Enzo’s voice came from behind me, tense with concern.

I didn’t answer. All my focus was on the damn bathroom door that stood between me and Serenity. Between meand whatever had caused her pain. My fangs lengthened involuntarily, pressing against my lower lip.

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