Page 22 of Promise Never

“I can’t find Zeno, and that pisses me off. He’sattacking me too easily.”

I meet his gaze at last. “Maybe you need moresecurity.”

“That’s not as easy as you might think,” hemutters, lingering on my face a moment. “Sorry. It’s still not safe for you toleave.”

I scoff and look away. “Clearly.”

“Do you need clothing?” he offers. “You packedrather light.”

“I’m good with what I currently have. I won’t behere long.”

“Zeno’s proven to be difficult to apprehend, soyou—”

“I can’t, Alessandro.” That is the first time I’vespoken his name so softly. It surprises both of us. Blinking it away, I add, “Ihave to go back.”

“Understood,” he says evenly. “I’ll do everythingin my power to eliminate the threats and send you on your way. Give me theinformation on the dealer.”

I step past him. Alessandro shadows me into thebedroom. I grab Trinity’s journal, retrieve the note from the back, and hand itto him.

Our fingers graze as he collects the paper,evoking a shockwave of lust in my body.

We lift our heads at the same time.

From the twitching of his jaw and his heavybreathing, I suspect he’s experiencing a similar reaction.

At his low rumble, my armor falls back into place.

I flick away before he absorbs me entirely intothe depths of his midnight blues.

No way we’re going there.

No way in hell.

Alessandro clears his throat and says, “I’ll letyou know when I’ve made progress.”

I don’t look until he walks out of the room.

Remember who he is, thevoice in my head warns.Luca’s brother.

I’d be shitting on my sister should I entertainanything with Alessandro. And I’m sure he feels the same.

10

Alessandro is absent for the rest of the day.

As evening falls, Sofia insists I have dinner withher.

I don’t mind. The woman is a good cook, and I’velearned to appreciate meals because Trinity and I didn’t always receive thosein our foster homes.

We dine in silence, and I head back to theguesthouse afterward to read more of my sister’s journal.

Strangely, concern for Alessandro mounts with thepassing of every hour that he hasn’t returned, especially after the attack thenight before.

Though I try to fight it, I still watch for theblare of his headlights.

I’m at Trinity’s last journal entry before her murder,and it pains me. These words are all that’s left of her thoughts—her heart’sdesires. I want it to go on forever because I hear her voice while reading.

Tears blur my eyes and dribble down my cheeks as Ireach the end. Sniffling, I close the journal and stick it back in my duffelbag.

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