Page 9 of Revenge & Ruin

Especially in this position.

I’ve only been the don of the Guild an hour and already the wolves have descended. It is my first test, and one I'm determined not to fail.

I use the knife in my hand to tilt Isabella’s head toward me.

“Who is in that car?”

The earnestness in her eyes disappears so quickly I would never have thought it was there to begin with.

“I gave you my name. That’s not how this works.”

The knife edge digs into her chin. “Perhaps you are unaware of the precariousness of your situation.”

“That my life hangs on a knife’s edge?” she huffs, glancing down at the blade. “You’ve actually made that abundantly clear.”

“Teo?”

I glance up to see both Dante and Mia waiting on my order.

It’s undeniably a very bold move for the Natalis to try and infiltrate this wedding. The majority of the guests consist of the Guild and our closest allies. But the venue itself has been vetted multiple times.

Defensive measures have not only been planned but routinelypracticedover the last few weeks. And we made no secret of hiding what we were capable of, just in case any of our enemies thought this might be a prime opportunity to strike.

The Prince’s Hand must have known the risks of sending Isabella here, but they did it anyway.

The question is, why?

Why wouldtheLeon Natali risk his own sister?

It would be too easy to brush this off as desperation. By all accounts, the Prince’s Hand is in as strong a position as ever.

The only thing that might cause them tension is the transfer of leadership from Tobia to Leon. If I’ve learned anything from Giuliano and Rocco, it’s that these things are as precarious as all hell.

And if there was even a whiff of discord within the ranks, something that might threaten her brother’s status as Don…well, wouldn’t I run straight into enemy territory for the sake of my sister?

“Close the gates,” I tell Dante softly.

The gated perimeter of the hotel was one of the primary reasons it was chosen as the wedding venue.

As predicted, Isabella’s eyes widen.

Because if she came here for her brother, there’s only one person in that car.

“When did he find out you were here?” I ask as Dante steps out of the room to give the order.

“I’m acting on his request. The Prince’s Hand and the Guild have been allies for seventeen years. I’m here to pay my respects.”

I hum noncommittally. “See, this is where I’m getting a bit confused. Because that alliance died with Giuliano Moretti three months ago.”

“Which is why I intend to secure it again.”

I ignore her. “And I know I would never let my sister walk into dangerous territory with nothing more than an earpiece for backup.”

Isabella swallows lightly.

“Do you want to know what I think?” I continue. “I think your brother woke up this morning to an apology note and a radio. I don’t think he had any idea you were planning to do this. And I don’t think he’d trust anyone else to get you out of here.”

If Isabella’s glare could kill me, I would have died on the spot.

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