Page 44 of Whispered Desire

Sure, she capitulated easily enough at her apartment, but since then, she’s reverted back to being self-sufficient Allison Fields, and I’ve let her, to an extent, because I want her comfortable with me and the changes in her life. Especially after catching her that first night in the bathroom with a blade to her wrist.

Clearly, that was the wrong decision.

My girl needs a stronger hand.

Allie flushes bright red. “Because it doesn’t concern you.”

“The hell it doesn’t.”

Zayden returns before I can say much more, but my mind swirls with next steps.

Allison’s grace period is over. She doesn’t understand what it means for me to take care of her. She’s still trying to do it herself as if nothing has changed except her location.

When we get back to Blackchapel Manor, she’ll learn the truth.

Except my plans are derailed by Luca as soon as we enter the manor foyer.

“Hey, do you have a second?” he asks, shooting Allie a small smile in greeting before gesturing toward the shared study.

I debate stalling him, but that would only be a temporary delay before he interrupts us again.

“Sure. I’ll find you later,cherie.” I watch her head upstairs, enjoying the view of her ass bouncing with each step, then follow Luca to the study. “What’s up?”

“I’m wondering if we’re still working on our original timeline for screwing over Petit.”

“Of course we are. Nothing’s changed.”

“Except something has, and her name is Allison,” Luca says pointedly. “Look, it was a surprise when you installed her in the manor, but we supported you, and we still do, even if we don’t quite understand your plan. But you can’t deny that you’ve been distracted. The deal on Petit Enterprises closed a while ago, yet you haven’t mentioned going ahead with our next move, which is unlike you.”

My brows furrow as frustration wells in my chest. I don’t like being taken to task. No one berates my behavior and gets away with it. Not even my brothers.

“What do you call working with you and Jonah every damn day combing through Petit’s records? We haven’t compiled enough evidence to make a concrete case against him. That’s not distraction or shortsightedness. It’s called being fucking prepared.”

Luca shakes his head. “Before Allison arrived, you wouldn’t have stopped researching foranything. I’ve lost count of how many late nights we’ve shared because you wouldn’t let any of us rest until we found whatever we were looking for. Now, we’re heeding a routine schedule like nine to five grunts? Tell me that’s not like you,” he pushes.

“I’m going to say this once, then you’re going to drop the subject, and you can let the rest of the guys know not to bring it up either. I haven’t gone soft or stupid. Louis Petit will be dealt with soon; his assets drained so The Syndicate takes a massive hit. He’smyfather, and I want my revenge against him more than anyone in this damn house. Don’t fucking forget it.”

My fist pounds on the top of a leather armchair with a thump. Storming out of the room, I stomp up the stairs. Pissed doesn’t begin to describe the war raging inside my veins.

Luca’s wrong.

I’m in control of my feelings.

I’m hyper-focused on ruining Petit.

Allison hasn’t changed those facts, because I refuse to let her.

I am in fucking control.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

ALLISON

Mathias’s conversation with Luca must not have gone well because the moment he stalks inside the bedroom, my guard rises.

I’m already on edge after the assassination attempt on Valerie, then fielding the barrage of texts from my family before Mathias confiscated my phone and replaced it.

I thought I’d have more than five minutes to gather myself before facing him again.

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