Page 72 of Masked Hearts

I remain in my spot unmoving, contemplating my next move cautiously.

“It’s your decision. What’s more important, Antonio? Your silly reputation in the art world or the safety of your mamá? She’s alone in Tevici right now, isn’t she? What with Ambrose and Adriano being here, and Augustus being in Milan. Hell, Mattia is downstairs asleep.” Enzo is the one to voice the threat, and my eyes widen and I stare at him throwing the last shred of our family ties to the wind.

“Touch her and Ariella is first on my list,” I fire back at him.

“You are in no position to be threatening my men, even if you are related,” Gabriel says. “Youwillappraise every single artwork, or this arrangement is off and I will kill every single one of your family members, leaving you alive to mourn alone.”

Ice runs through my veins as his words settle in the air. “Fine.”

The word is barely cold on my tongue when the elevator dings, and I all but pray that Ambrose does not walk in with Theá.

Thankfully, he doesn’t, but the sight is so much worse.

Theá dances in, singing one of Natalia’s songs. She freezes once she catches a glimpse of everyone in the living room. “Sorry for interrupting,” she says in a hushed tone.

“Theresa,” her father greets. She walks over to greet him, and then Kylian.

“What are you wearing? And what is this?” Kylian wipes the side of her neck where she previously hid the hickeys with makeup. His eyes flash up to me.

“You’re dressed like a slut, go change.” Her father says.

She physically flinches at his harsh words before nodding.

“Theá, don’t you dare take one step,” I bark out, and she freezes just as she’s about to walk away.

“What are you doing? Theresa, go upstairs,” her father brushes her off.

“If either of you speak to her like that again, me refusing to appraise some artworks is going to be the least of your problems,” I fire, the sudden anger running through me as I see red.

“She’s my sister, I will speak to her any way I want—"

His words aren’t even out of his mouth before I have the front of his shirt in my fist. "Youroldersister andmy wife. You will speak to her with respect or I will fuck up your face to the point no one recognises you. Now apologise,” I threaten, looming over him.

His eyes are wide as he looks up at me.

“Antonio,” Theá squeaks, but the sound is drained out by my rage.

“I’m-I’m sorry, Theá,” Kylian says in a voice so small.

I push him backwards, letting go of his shirt. He scurries off until he’s next to Enzo, who is just watching the scene with a smirk.

“As for you,” I point at Gabriel, “she may be your daughter, but this is her house and she can be wherever she wants. So don’t shoo her around under my roof. Now, give me the papers to sign so you can all get the fuck out of here and leave us alone.”

The room hangs in silence before Gabriel shoves the papers in my hand along with a pen.

“Theá, can you grab me the stamp off my desk in my office? It’s blue,” I ask, offering her a way out of this suffocating room without making it seem like I’m asking her to leave.

“You actually have a pair of balls on you.” Gabriel smirks. “I’m impressed.”

“It’s not for your approval,” I fire, signing the last page just as Theá returns with the stamp. Her eyes meet mine and I can see the colour change in her cheeks. She hands it to me and steps back to leave, but I grab her arm, pulling her to sit on the armrest of my chair as I stamp the documents with my appraisal stamp.

“There you go. Goodbye,” I say in a firm tone as I pass them back to Gabriel.

He nods and looks between Theá and me for a few seconds. “Have a good evening,” he says, standing before extending a hand to me. I stand and shake it before following behind them to make sure they actually leave.

Kylian pushes the cart and I stifle back a chuckle. Enzo, however, lingers back. “Be careful who you threaten,cugino. It’s going to backfire in your face,” he says, patting my shoulder before joining them in the elevator.

I watch the door shut and exhale a sigh of relief that they’re gone. When I return to the living room, it’s empty, but the balcony door is open. I head out in search of Theá.

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