Page 74 of Twisted Kings

“I will!” While she eagerly finished her breakfast, I took a seat at the counter and pretended to peruse my phone, wishing I had my Kindle. I’d been half-way through a dark stalker romance e-book when Torrance kidnapped me. Not being able to finish the book was annoying.

After popping a slice of bread into the toaster, I wandered over to the shelves in the corner. Someone had left a stack ofpaperback novels, which made me think this place had been a holiday let before Declan snapped it up.

I picked up and discarded several before deciding on a mafia romance, mostly because the guy on the cover was bare-chested, tattooed, and seriously hot.

My toast popped up, but before I could move an inch, Milo spread some butter and jam on it and then put it on a plate for me.

“Eat this,” he said. “It will settle your stomach.” His eyes dipped down for a moment, lingering on my flat belly. “I made some ginger tea for you, too,” he added, passing me a china cup filled with a steaming spicy concoction. Damn, it smelled amazing. Almost as good as my coffee.

“Thank you.” I felt bad for being such a bitch in the bathroom, but it was for their own good. I didn’t need them worrying about me. They’d already put themselves in danger on my behalf.

“You’re welcome.”

Verity ran full-pelt toward the sea, ignoring my yells to slow down before she fell. This was her first time outdoors since we arrived. At home, she spent most of her time confined to the attic, unless our father was away. He didn’t want anyone to know she existed.

She danced on the pebbles as waves ebbed and flowed over glistening stones, water splashing over her boots. A box of outdoor clothing had mysteriously appeared the morning after our arrival. Boots, coats, hats, and scarves in her size. I had no idea who to thank, but I suspected Mrs. O’Malley was responsible.

She’d merely smiled when I questioned who the items belonged to and said it didn’t matter as long as they fitted the‘wee girl’.

Gulls soared high above, screeching loudly as I wandered along, my hands tucked inside my pockets. The guys were indoors. Kyril had wanted to come with me, but I told him we needed some sisterly bonding time.

There was no access to the beach other than via the cliff steps at the back of the house, so it was completely safe here. Unless my father launched an attack via boat, we were in no danger.

“Look, a shell!” Verity ran up with a large conch shell in her hands, her cheeks pink with cold and excitement. “I’m going to start a collection. Landon showed me how to create an Instagram account, so I can take photos and upload them.”

My heart leaped with anxiety. “Ver, it’s a terrible idea posting stuff online!”

She rolled her eyes in a way that reminded me my sister was nearly a teenager, even if she didn’t look it.

“I’m not dumb, sis. The account is in a random name and I won’t be posting any shots of us.”

I threw my hands in the air, now suitably chastised. “OK!”

“Let’s go over to the rocks. I want to see if there are any crabs caught in the rock pools.”

She thrust the shell at me and scampered off, her dark hair flying like a banner in the breeze.

By the time we’d explored all the many rock pools and found one extremely disgruntled crab, she’d taken a million photos on the smartphone Cassian had gifted her and finally ran out of energy. Meanwhile, I was ready for a nap. We turned back toward the house.

The wind had picked up, and the sun was nowhere in sight. I shivered. Ireland was undeniably beautiful, but part of me missed the warmer climate of our home country. As the sky grewmore leaden, I wondered whethermychild would ever get to see their ancestral home of sun-kissed olive groves and vineyards heavy with succulent grapes.

But then I remembered, Dad would be dead soon. And if he wasn’t, then I’d be dead and so would my child, because if my father discovered I was carrying the bratva heir’s baby, he’d not let either of us live.

33

Dario

I’d known Thea since she was 10. We’d grown up together. Shared our first kiss, hit second base, and were on the verge of losing our V card to each other before it all fell apart. Because of our history, even if Thea liked to pretend otherwise, I knew when she was hiding something.

At first, I put her distance from the guys down to the stress of the sex tape reveal and then being drugged and bundled off campus by Torrance. But it was becoming increasingly obvious there was more going on.

I watched as she played a board game with Verity. The two of them were thick as thieves, as close as two sisters could be. Despite the age gap, Thea had always adored her sister. It was why Francesco held so much power over Thea.

“You’re not paying attention!” Verity complained as Thea’s attention drifted away once again while I pretended to read a book.

“I am, Ver. Go on, it’s your turn.” She rubbed her eyes and sat up straighter. Verity moved her piece on the board and then giggled.

“I win! Again!”

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