Page 93 of Savage Prince

“I’ll do you one better.” Her friend twists toward the coffee table, opens a drawer and reveals an iPhone box. “It’s brand new. They sent me the wrong model, and I was going to sell it online, but it’s yours. You can add it to my bill.”

“Santi, you are the best!” Serena throws her arms around her friend, and I barely restrain the urge to pry them off his cold, stiff body.

Instead, I slide closer to her, wrapping my arm around her shoulders so she’s forced to release him. His eyes dart to mine, a knowing grin on that perfect jaw line as he wags a finger at me. “Oh, he’s a jealous one. I can’t blame him though, Sere, you are one of a kind.”

“And mine,” I grit out, unable to stop myself.

Serena’s head cants in my direction. “Behave,” she scolds. “I know you can’t get enough of me, but we’ll have plenty of time for that when we’re cruising down the coastline.”

“Of course,tesoro.” I force a smile, but I tuck her more tightly into my side all the same. If she wants me to act like we’re together, I’m more than happy to indulge her.

Maybe even for the rest of our lives.

CHAPTER 45

BEFORE YOU WERE MINE

Serena

Sprawled out on the small bed at thepensionewe found just outside of town, I watch as Antonio paces the tiny room. It’s all we can afford with our meager allowance from Santi. The pissed off Italian stalks across the minute space, his shoulders bowed, deep lines furrowing his brow. We’ve been debating our next move for the past hour, and we’re at an impasse.

Worse, I haven’t been able to get a hold of Isabella, so I still have no idea if Alessandro is all right. A pit of dread has taken permanent root in my gut, the ache in my chest unbearable. I’ve searched all the media sites, but it’s like the explosion never happened. I don’t dare callPapà.Dio, if something happened to Ale while he was on a mission to save me, it could cause a third world war between my dad and uncles. For decades, the Valentinos and Rossi’s have edged the fine line of a stalemate, only the shared blood running through our veins preventing crimson spilling across the streets of Manhattan.

No, he has to be all right.

I would never forgive myself for dragging him into this mess. My chest hollows out, and I wrap my arms around my middle to keep myself together.

“Tomorrow, we go to Rome.”

I glance up to find Antonio looming over me, that unsettling look in his eye. It’s not anger or fury, no that I could handle, it’s something much worse. Utter defeat.

“I wanted to avoid returning home as anyone with half a brain would realize it would be the first place I’d go, but with my credit cards compromised, we have no other option.” He drags a hand through his disheveled hair. “I have a stash for emergencies at the train station. It has enough cash to last a few months, a fake I.D., new phone, all of it.”

“And then what?” I slide to the edge of the mattress and tip my head back to meet that wary gaze. “We can’t just keep running.” I blow out a breath, my ribs too tight from worry. “Besides, I’m not leaving Milano until I know what happened to Ale.”

“It’s not safe for you here, Serena. Can’t you see that?” He drops to his knees, hands closing around my thighs. “I’m not running. I’m trying my damnedest to keep you alive. It’s clear there’s a traitor within our ranks, but is it on your side or mine? There’s no way to know right now.” His eyes latch onto mine, anguish darkening his features. “I know my brother, and that man is much too paranoid to ever allow Isabella’s phone to be compromised. It’s the only reason I’ve allowed you to contact her. But anyone else? It’s much too risky.”

The phone on the nightstand vibrates, jerking my attention from the paranoid mob boss, and I lunge at it. Antonio is at my side before I scan the number on the screen. “It’s Bella,” I breathe.

He nods, and I jab my finger at the green button.

“Please tell me you’ve heard from Alessandro,” I blurt.

“I have,” Isabella murmurs, a hitch in her voice.

“He’s alive?” I barely get the words out.

“Yes, but he’s not in good shape. He was badly burned by the explosion at the airport. What the hell happened, Sere? I was so fucking worried about you.” She falters, a sob echoing across the line, and my chest tightens. “When I heard about the jet, I tried calling you a thousand times. I thought you were dead.” Emotion cuts her off, her voice trembling. “Please, just come home, Serena.”

“I’m so sorry, Bella. I’m trying I swear.” I stand and move to the small, attached bathroom. “I just can’t leave Antonio with this big mess to sort out,” I whisper, dropping down onto the toilet, and heave out a breath.

“Who the hell cares about Antonio Ferrara?” she shouts across the line. “He’s the reason you’re in this crazy-ass situation, and he’s the reason Alessandro is fighting for his life in the hospital.”

I glance at the doorway and find Toni leaning against the frame. His brows furrow as he regards me and with the way my cousin is screaming, there’s no doubt he can hear every word.

I draw in a sharp breath, my heart kicking at my ribs. “How bad is he?” I mutter.

“It’s bad, Sere. Uncle Marco and Aunt Jia are on their way to Milano now. They should be arriving in the next few hours. From whatPapàtold me, they have no idea why he was there or anything about your involvement.”

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