Page 48 of Deception

How bad would it be? To just give into this, to let it happen.

Never mind that she's so much younger than me, and that she’s practically a stranger. Something about her breaks through all of my defenses.

“Hey, Aless …”

She tenses in my arms, going stiff at the sound of my brother’s voice at the top of the stairs. He can’t see us, but I let go, letting her step back. I want to ignore him, pull her back toward me.

“Alessandro.” Adriano’s voice is more insistent. His business tone.

“Yes? What do you want?” I don’t bother hiding my irritation.

“For you to come here. I need to tell you something. Now.”

Isabella backs away slowly, eyeing the stairs, then me. I give her a questioning glance, tilting my head.

What’s got her so nervous? She shakes her head, the thought instantly slipping away.

I leave her standing there and join my brother upstairs. “What’s so urgent,fratellino?”

Adriano gives me a flat look at calling him “little brother.” His eyes flick back toward the stairs, leaving the question unasked.

A lesser man might blush or make excuses.

Not me. It’s none of his business.

“Got a message from town.”

Immediately my mood shifts, the words promising action and an update to our situation. Thisisimportant.

I nod for us to step into the east wing, closing the door behind us. “News? Did Ciro call?”

“I told the twins never to call here. I set up a relay. Lorenzo hit me up on the radio from town. He got a message from Ero. One that he wouldn’t relay over the comm. I need to get down there to check it personally.”

“You sure you can’t just call home, get the message that way?” I’m getting desperate for some contact with the outside world.

“Have you checked your cell lately? No bars. The storm has us cut off. Landline isn’t working either.”

“Fuck. You can’t go in this.”

“Lorenzo can get the plow halfway up if I can meet him. With Vincenzo’s truck we should be able to plow through far enough to get out.”

“Too risky.”

“It’s too risky for me not to. Besides, didn’t you want to get Carla and them out of here? This is the best option. Lorenzo said it’s as light as it’s going to get. More snow’s coming.”

“You’re right. I should have sent them home days ago.” I’ve never been one to hesitate to make hard choices, but I’ve been distracted.

Adriano withholds commentary but I can see it in his eyes.

The critique.

“Maybe I should come, too. Get Isabella out.”

“No. Stay put. This could just as easily be a trap to draw you out of hiding.”

“Then take her with you and I’ll stay,” I say, begrudging the thought of losing her as soon as I say it.

“I’m not leaving you up here alone. She stays for now.” A look flashes through his eyes as he says it.

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