Page 116 of Ruthless Guardian

His father steps closer, moving beneath the light of a carefully hung lantern. A wicked sneer slashes across his face. “I’m afraid it’s too late for that, Raffa. You’ve killed my men, destroyed my home… But I must say, I never thought you had it in you. This woman has brought out a new side of my youngest son.”

A savage, murderous one, apparently.

The sinister smile broadens. “You’ve become quite impressive.” He stalks closer and every muscle in Raf’s body stiffens, coiled to attack. “In fact, I’d like to make you a deal. You’re right, you know, this family rift has gone on for long enough. I’d like you to return to the Ferrara fold. You’ve proven yourself more than capable, and I believe it’s time for you to step into your role in thisfamiglia.”

Raf barks out a laugh, the twinge of madness in the wild chuckle setting the hair on my nape on end. “I would never work for you,Papà. I willneverbe a part of this family after what you did.”

“Then you won’t survive long enough to have your own.”

The ridges of corded muscles across Raf’s back strain, tensing and coiling. “Kill me if it’ll satisfy your desire for vengeance, but let Isabella go.”

“No,” I cry, curling my fingers around the hem of his shirt. “I’m not going anywhere without you.”

“I’m afraidSignorinaValentino must be part of the deal, Raffa. You see, her uncle has orchestrated strategic moves inmyterritory. And Dante doesn’t do anything without Luca’s approval.”

I almost snort on a laugh. He clearly knows nothing about my uncle. He’s as unpredictable as they come.

“So Isabella is nothing more than a pawn?” he barks. “You plan to use her as a bargaining chip?”

Alfredo’s head slowly dips. “That’s correct,figlio. If Luca Valentino wants his daughter back, he needs to get his men the fuck out of my territory.”

Raf twists his head over his shoulder, eyes meeting mine. We both knowPapàwould do anything for me. My mom and our family are the reason why he’s taken a step back from the Kings and allowed Uncle Dante to run the operations. Which apparently, he’s doing a shit job at.

“I don’t trust him,” Raf whispers.

“You think he’ll double-crossPapà?”

He nods slowly. “That’s the type of back-stabbingbastardomy father is.”

“Okay… so what do we do?”

“Get ready to fight our way out of here.”

“And, what have you decided, Raffa?” Alfredo’s eyes lift over his son’s shoulder to meet mine. “Or are you the one in charge,signorina?”

“She’s in charge,” Raf grits out, “but I won’t force her to waste her breath on you.” He takes a step to the side, and I mirror his movements. The guards’ guns trace our subtle shift.

Fuck, there is no way out of here.

I don’t know what the hell Raf has planned, but it better be good or we’re dead. Weirdly enough, the thought isn’t completely debilitating. Losing Raf would be one thing, but both of us dying together? It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

Dio, when did I become so fatalistic?

“So, what will it be?” Alfredo hisses, taking a step closer.

Only a few yards separate us now. I gingerly sink my fingers into my pocket and close them around the jagged glass. My years of Krav Maga surge to the surface. If we could just get Alfredo closer, I’m sure I could land a hit to his jugular. He’d never see it coming. I’d practiced the move for years, only without the sharp weapon, instead just using the edge of my hand to strike the throat and incapacitate my attacker.

“Get him closer,” I whisper to Raf.

“What? Why?”

“Just trust me.”

The lines across his forehead furrow, but he takes a measured step toward his father and gun-toting lackeys. “There’s something I have to say to you,Papà…”

He raises a dark brow and inches closer. “What’s that?” He eyes the gun clenched in Raf’s fist. “I’m not taking another step until you drop the weapon.”

With a grunt, he tosses the Glock onto the grass only a few feet away. Then he whispers over his shoulder, “Get ready.”

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