Page 33 of Prince of Malice

“I don’t know yet,” I admit, trying to get him off my back.

“Really? What about your strategy of leaving them high and dry during the meeting?” my father interrupts.

“What does that mean?” Sofia clarifies, honing in on me to tell the truth.

“I had to leave early,” I confess. Watching Dominic’s face again, I see the shift in his eyes as he makes the connection. He doesn’t seem happy when he realizes that I had to leave to go after him..

“Leaving early?” Dominic chuckles. “Doesn’t sound like you, Luca.”

I grit my teeth. Why does he have to do this now?

“I don’t think that this is really the time for that kind of comment,” I push back, hoping he gets the hint.

“Well, I think that this is the perfect time. We’re talking about something serious here, and you went ahead and screwed it up,” he says, knowing exactly what he’s doing. His words hurt, and I don’t need reminding of how I messed up an important meeting withthe Grecos and another with him all in the same night.

“Luca’s right,” Sofia says sticking up for me. “There’s no use in dwelling on the past.”

“Thank you,” I reply.

Sofia gives me a gentle nod of support.

“We should focus on the future.” I look over to my father. “A future with the Valentis and the Rossis together, right, Dad?”

He meets my eyes and produces a difficult smile. “That’s right.”

I know he’s having second thoughts now. He has no allegiance to the Rossis, and why would he? This whole marriage is a means to an end, a power grab to nip them in the bud as a threat. Now, however, a new threat shows its face and promises power in return for peace. What reason does he have not to swap the old out for the new?

But I have a reason. He’s my reason.

I look to Dominic across the table for some essence of support, some fragment of understanding in what I want. I don’t want to run away again, but I’m too afraid to not keep hiding for now. So to have this conversation, we have to do it quietly.

“I don’t know,” Dominic starts. “I still don’t see a reason for us to trust you.”

“Dominic, not now,” Sofia scolds.

Gianni joins her with a cold glare directed at his brother.

“No, I’m serious,” he persists. “Why should we expect you to not throw us to the side the second we become inconvenient?”

“We won’t become inconvenient,” Gianni pipes up. His confidence is clear in his voice, but I think even he has his doubts.

“Oh, what an incredible idea. Just don’t become inconvenient. A fool-proof plan,” Dominic rants. He locks his eyes purely on me. “But to me, I think a Valenti will use you however they want and throw you to the curb the second they’re done.”

Dominic shoots up from the table, storming out of the room without another word.

“What’s wrong with him now?” Gianni yells as he stands up to chase after him until Sofia yanks him back down to his seat.

“Leave him be,” she speaks softly.

As Dominic leaves, I already see him draw his phone from his pocket and make acall while crashing out through the front doors.

“Maybe now we can continue without further interruption?” my father asks in a demeaning tone.

I look between them all, completely stunned. My father’s apathy I can understand, but even his own family seem to show little care for Dominic.

“Excuse me,” I say without waiting for their permission. Quickly stepping my way out of the dining room to go after Dominic, I try my best to catch up with him.

By the time I make it out outside, I see Dominic already rushing his way down the asphalt strip, making his turn on foot out of the front gates and back out onto the street. His fast pace never falters, despite the attention he pays to whoever is on the other end of the phone line.

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