Page 128 of Seeking Shadows

Pietro didn’t move.

"Mia is a pure soul," he continued, as if I hadn’t spoken. "If something in her breaks because of you, you’ll wish your existence had never begun."

"Your talent for elaborate threats is impressive."

"Thanks."

"I wasn’t complimenting."

"I know."

I sighed. "Can I go now, or do you have a PowerPoint presentation on creative torture methods?"

Laura tilted her head, considering. "I could prepare a document with statistical projections, if you'd like."

Laura and I had an unspoken understanding, but I get the feeling she suspects something’s up with Mia—especially if she’s looking this concerned.

"I’d rather not learn my death percentages today."

To my surprise, Laura’s gaze softened as she looked at Mia, still nestled against my chest.

"Just take care of my sister, okay?"

Her voice carried an unexpected vulnerability, catching me off guard. But before I could respond, Pietro was already pulling her closer, as if making sure every part of her was intact.

The gesture was automatic. Protective. Possessive.

And suddenly, I reconsidered some things.

For a moment, I wondered if Pietro's hostility had anything to do with Mia. If his problem was with me, if his hatred stemmed from an exaggerated protective instinct toward her. It wouldn’t be a surprise. Mafia people were weird like that.

But no.

It wasn’t about Mia.

It was about Laura.

It was for her that Pietro Barone threatened to rip out my soul.

I wasn’t sure if he realized it himself, but his intentions were clear as day.

He couldn’t bear the thought of seeing her sad.

The realization settled over me in a strange, comfortable way.

Pietro wasn’t just an obsessive lunatic.

He was an obsessive lunatic with absolute devotion to Laura.

And that made him even more terrifying.

He was a handsome man—in that sharp, dangerous way that made you want to look away before he noticed you were staring.

But what made him truly unsettling was the way he positioned himself before Laura, as if the entire world was a threat to her and he existed solely to eliminate every single one of them.

So, yeah. It was obvious that he loved his wife. And with that, I relaxed a little. Because I knew Mia was special. I knew she could have anyone she wanted.

But she was mine.

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