Page 75 of The Devil's Pawn

“Of course I care about you, sweetie,” she huffs. “I’m your mother, and I love you. If you tell me who you’re with and what his name is, I promise I’ll get you out of there, no questions asked.”

My heart clenches. She’s never spoken to me so sweetly before. Why did she have to wait so long?

But I’ve made up my mind. I can’t go back. I can’t take the risk that she’ll change her mind about Carlito.

“His name is Dante.”

There. Not like I gave her his last name. There are a ton of Dantes in New York.

She’s quiet again. Too quiet.

“Mom? You there? I can’t be on the phone long. I have to go.”

“Oh, my poor, innocent baby,” she cries. “I knew it. I knew you were with one of them. Your father and I suspected it all along.”

My body goes rigid, anxiety balling in my stomach. “What are you talking about? Do you know who I’m with?”

She can’t possibly. How could she? Dante doesn’t know my family.

She sighs before she says the words I never thought I’d hear. “Of course I do. You’re with a Cavaleri.”

Dread itches across my skin.

“Wha—” I gasp, my pulse thrashing uncontrollably in my ears, fogging over the sound of my mother’s continuing voice.

“I bet he told you he’d help you run away. Is that it? He lied, honey. He doesn’t want to help you. He hates us. His whole family does. He’s just such an evil man, and he manipulated you. He never told you any of this, did he, sweetie?”

I can’t seem to say a word. I’m caught in a trance.

“It’s okay. Don’t blame yourself. You don’t realize how many bad people there are in this world. This is why I’ve always done everything I could to protect you.”

My knees grow weak, practically giving out. He wouldn’t lie to me like that after everything we shared.

“I don’t believe you,” I choke out.

“It’s true. I’m sorry to be the one to tell you but you have to know who he really is.” I hear her muffled footsteps as she shuffles around. “They’re the family after your father. They’re the reason why he can’t come home.”

Tears burn my eyes. So many of them I can barely see straight.

“You’re lying.”

“I swear, I’m not. He’s only trying to trick you, to hurt you as a way to punish your father. What did he tell you? That he’s going to keep you safe? It’s all an act. He probably plans to kill you.” She lets a breath fall sharply. “I can’t lose my only daughter. Let me help you. Let me get you out of there.”

I back against the wall, my body sliding down as the phone falls away from my ear, still gripped in my aching palm.

Kill me?

No, Dante wouldn’t do that. I refuse to believe I have feelings for my own murderer. But could he really be the one at war with my family?

I met his brother, Dom, once when he cut his hand and needed my help. Are they all involved? Is that why Dante has so many bodyguards around? Is it to protect him against my family?

Oh my God! How could I be this stupid?!

My lower lip trembles.

I slept with him. I gave him pieces of myself I can never take back. The phone falls out of my hand, bouncing on the rug between my legs, and I shatter. My palms cover my face, sorrow shackling me like a web of invisible chains. My quiet sobs split through me like fresh slices across my body.

The passion we shared was all a lie. He doesn’t care about me. He was merely using me. I’m nothing but a puppet.

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