Page 67 of Devil's Tulip

“Don’t come in!” Mrs. Monti immediately calls out. She sets the wand down and walks over, cracking it open just enough so I can’t see outside. Michael’s deep voice rumbles something to her, but I can't make out his words.

They exchange a few short sentences before she greets someone new. Then, steps back from the door, allowing a woman to slip inside.

I tense.

She’s around my age—maybe even a little younger. Her flaming red hair is pulled up into a ponytail, though tiny curls frame her sharp chin. Cute freckles dust her nose and cheeks,and she has the prettiest hazel eyes I’ve ever seen.She’s stunning.

A spike of unease shoots through me as I glance past her towards the now-closed door, where Mrs. Monti still hovers. Who the hell is she? How does Michael know her? And what the hell is she doing here?

My gaze snaps back to the woman, who’s scanning the room like she’s taking everything in. Then, her eyes land on me, our gazes clashing. She flashes a bright smile, one that has her eyes twinkling, the green shining more prominently.It’s a genuine smile.

I don’t smile back. I just frown, watching her carefully. What’s her deal? Does she know the truth? That Michael and I aren’t really together? That this wedding is happening for reasons that have nothing to do with love? That’s the only reason she wouldn’t see me as a threat, right? The pressure in my chest builds, my stomach twisting uncomfortably.

I want her out of here.

Like she can read my thoughts, her smile slowly dims. But her gaze stays locked on me. Her eyes trace over my face, emotions flickering in her look like an open book. Anxiety. Anger. Worry.She’s so… guileless.

But then I realize—she’s noticed the bruises. That’s why she’s looking at me like that. A prickle of heat crawls up my neck, but I force myself to stay still. My hands clench into fists on my lap so I don’t fidget with the hair Mrs. Monti just spent several minutes on.

“Hi, you must be Gianna.” Her voice is soft, almost musical. “I’m Elira.”

She tucks a stray curl behind her ear, and I catch the glint of a large rock on her finger. My breath catches.She’s married.And Michael can’t marry me if he’s already married to her, which means?—

She’s married to someone else.

The tightness in my belly unfurls a little. “Hello,” I greet cautiously.

She glances back at Mrs. Monti. “I’m sorry, can I have a moment alone with the bride?”

Mrs. Monti raises a questioning brow at me, and I nod. “Give us thirty minutes, please.” I’m curious about what the redhead has to say—I get the feeling she has something important to discuss.

As soon as the door closes behind Mrs. Monti, the rest of Elira’s smile vanishes, and unexpected steel appears in her eyes. “Do you need me to help you escape?” She asks, matter-of-factly.

My jaw practically unhinges. “W–what?” Didn’t Michael bring her here?

She drops to her knees in front of me, bringing us eye to eye, and grips my hands like we’re old friends. “I mean it, Gianna. I know we’re strangers and you have no reason to trust me, but if you want out, I’ll do anything in my power to help you.”

I blink at her, thrown completely off balance. Is this a test? A trap Michael set up? But no—she looksgenuinely concerned. “Shouldn’t you be on Michael’s side? He brought you in here, didn’t he?” I finally manage.

“Maybe. But I know how these Nightshade men are. Did he kidnap you? Is he threatening you? What does he have over you?” Her eyes go all over my face again, and she frowns.

My heart kicks up a notch.

She thinks Michael did this to me.

This really isn’t some kind of twisted loyalty test Michael came up with. She actually cares. Aboutme.

I shake my head slowly. “No, he’s not threatening me. He’s helping me actually. This—” I wave my hand over my face. “—is not from him. He rescued me from my… cousin.”

Her frown deepens, and she slowly lets go of my hands. “Are you sure?” She lowers her voice to a whisper, glancing around. “Is this room bugged? Are we being watched? Is that why you’re saying that?”

I didn’t realize anything could amuse me today, but a genuine laugh escapes me as I glance around as well. “I have no idea if there’s a bug here, but I swear, Michael didn’t do this to me. Hewouldn’t.”

I don’t know why I’m so sure about that, but I am. He might be ruthless, cold, and dangerous, but no matter how angry he gets, he would never lay a hand on me. “Who are you?" I ask, studying her. Is she Michael’s sister or something? She’s pretty ballsy.I like her.

“I’m Elira Leonotti, Maximo’s wife. You could say I’m Michael’s sister-in-law? My husband considers him a brother and trusts him with his life.” She glances up at me through pretty eyes that shift from brown to green as the light reflects in them. “I trust him, too—to a certain extent—but… I think I might have been in your shoes before; that’s why I reacted that way. Did I misjudge the situation?”

“What did you think was happening? That Michael hurt me and is threatening me to marry him?” She’s not far from the truth. Iammarrying Michael because my existence is being threatened. Butheisn’t the one doing the threatening.

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