Page 110 of Where the Wicked Reign

“That will be rectified ASAP. I guess Nico’s loyalty to the family knows no bounds, seeing as though he kept this a secret even from you.”

“He’s honorable like that,” Julian said, so convincingly, I know I would have bought it if I didn’t already know the truth of where Nico’s loyalty really was rooted.

“Betrothed?” I demanded of Angelo, playing the game. “To Nico Marchetti? Is that what you’re saying?” I feigned my shock.

“Wasn’t supposed to tell you yet,” he said, stroking his goatee. “But this shithead getting up in your space had me needing to lay down the law where you’re concerned.”

I started shaking my head, feigning my revulsion. “No. No, that can’t be. I’m not even—”

“Part of the family anymore? That changes tonight. You’ll do your duty.”

Angelo turned his slimy gaze on Julian, looking him up and down.

“Like what you see,fucker?”Julian bit back, calling him what Angelo had moments ago.

Angelo’s face reddened, and he stepped forward.

Julian held his ground and his gaze.

“Stop,” I intervened, pressing my hand to Angelo’s chest.

He jolted and sucked in an unsteady breath at my contact, his gaze zeroing in on my hand on him.

Oh no.

I pulled it away quickly, and he smirked dangerously, before stepping back from Julian. “Let’s go, Caterina. I’m to bring you to your father now.”

“It’s early.”

“He’s decided not to wait.”

He went to snag my arm, but Julian reacted incredibly fast and slapped it away.

“No manhandling, you brutish bastard.”

Angelo’s eyes flamed.

“Hmm,” Julian uttered. “So much unnecessary aggression. Overcompensating for something? Perhaps, the fact that you want a go at me?” He grasped his cock through his pants obscenely. “My club? Does that work for you?”

Angelo hissed and pushed into him. “Watch yourself.”

“Yeah? I’ll top the fuck out of you, baby. Just say the word,” he told Angelo, giving the aggression back to him, just in a whole different way, and one that was definitely throwing Angelo off-kilter.

His gaze wavered, confusion all over him.

And then he moved back and muttered, “Fuck you.” He gestured at me. “Let’s go.Now.You know that your father doesn’t like to wait.”

I saw Julian’s utter reluctance—and worry—to let this happen, for me to be alone with the fuckboy that was Angelo.

But there was no choice.

We couldn’t reveal ourselves, the truth. It would screw up everything.

So I gave him a discreet chin lift, letting him know it would be okay, and hopefully to remember that I could handle myself.

And then I turned and let Angelo lead me away.

Right toward the demon’s lair.

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