Page 86 of Isaia

I don’t respond. My shoes hit the marble stairs with purpose, my stride unyielding as I make my way down to where Anthony sits. The stripper, sensing the shift in energy, slides off his lap, giving me a wary glance before disappearing into the crowd.

Anthony doesn’t move. Doesn’t flinch. He leans back in his chair, his drink resting in one hand, watching me approach like I’m the entertainment for the evening.

“Isaia,” Anthony says smoothly, lifting his glass as if we’re old friends sharing a drink. “Hell of a place you’ve got here.”

“Didn’t think you’d accept my invitation.”

“Are you kidding?” He gestures around the room. “This isClub Myth. People kill to get in here. And me? I get a personal invite from the Dark Sovereign. How could I say no?”

Smug motherfucker.

I don’t sit—not yet—watching him, trying to decide if I want to tear out his throat first or break every bone in his hands so he can’t touch her. “You’re not here for the ambiance, so let’s cut the shit.” I lower my voice, sharp and venomous. “You can’t have her.”

Anthony raises a brow. “You say that like she’s a trophy, Isaia. And I don’t think I like that.”

“I don’t give a fuck what you like. Just stay the hell away from my girl.”

“Yourgirl?” He slants a brow, and I want to beat that look off his face. “Strange. I don’t see your name anywhere on her.”

There’s an idea. Tattoo my name on her skin. That’s something I need to make happen A.S.A fucking P.

His smirk deepens, every inch of him oozing condescension. “She’s not yours, Isaia. You know as well as I do that the only thing that makes a woman off-limits is a ring on her finger. Right now, Everly has none.”

I’m on him in an instant, my hands slamming onto the table, the wood groaning under the force. His smirk falters, just for a moment, and it’s the most satisfying thing I’ve seen all fucking day. “Touch her, and I’ll rip you apart.”

“Careful, Del Rossa. You’re toeing a line you don’t want to step over.”

“Try me.”

Anthony leans back, his glass cradled casually in his hand. “I’m not the enemy here. She’s my friend.”

“You expect me to believe you have no interest in a Paladino-Rinaldi alliance?”

Anthony shrugs. “I won’t deny that the alliance comes with perks—powerful ones. But despite what you think you know about me, about my relationship with Everly, she means more to me than any alliance ever could.”

“Whatever the fuck this is between you, this so-called friendship—whatever—it ends today.”

“I’m afraid that’s not an option. I’ll be in her life for however long she wants me to be.”

“I don’t share.”

“Funny.” He slants his head. “That’s not what I heard.”

I lean forward, my knuckles pressing into the table, crowding his space. “She will never marry you.”

“Not unless she wants to. She knows that. But you need to accept the fact that she’ll always need me.”

It takes all my self-control not to beat his face to a pulp. I can already taste it, the rage, the blood, the frenzied fury. I’d fucking do it with a smile on my face, tear his heart from his body through his throat. But I remain calm even though my blood rages, and I take a seat across from him.

“You can’t protect her like I can,” I say simply.

He lets out a mocking laugh. “I assure you, Del Rossa, I am more than capable. I've kept her safe for years before you came into the picture.”

“Then I suppose you have no idea about Rinaldi trying to have her kidnapped?” Something flashes in his eyes as he stares at me. “Twice.”

“What the fuck you talking about?”

I scoff. “You’re really going to sit there and pretend you don’t know.”

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