Page 146 of Seeking Vengeance

“You don’t want to do that.”

“I agree. But I’m still going to.” It’s been a lifetime since we were face-to-face. Now, there’s a mere few feet of space between me and my closest sibling, who stands at the top of the three stairs leading to damnation. But the prankster kid I grew up with is nowhere in sight. The man who stares back at me is cold and calculating. “I won’t let Remy twist the situation and make her more of a target.”

“He hasn’t twisted anything.” Salvatore keeps his tone level, exuding a calm I can’t reciprocate. “Nobody knows. Neither me or Remy want to continue this war with her psychotic family. So the last thing we’re going to do is tell Dad you’ve hooked up with the enemy.”

“That’s not the impression he gave earlier today.” I slide my hands into my pants pockets, hiding the way my fingers twitch for a gun I no longer own. “Remy made it clear he wanted her dead.”

He scoffs a laugh and descends the stairs, the guards following a few steps behind him. He doesn’t stop until he’s squared up with me, shoulders broad and proud, chin arrogantly high.

As a teen, I towered over him, my growth spurt coming well before his, but now we’re equally matched in physical appearance as well as disdain.

“He’s always been more of a slave to his emotions than either of us,” he drawls. “So it’s only natural he reacted to yet another layer of your betrayal when he was the one who took the longest to understand why the fuck you would abandon us in the first place.”

I bristle.

I hadn’t wanted to leave them behind. I’d been a kid when I made those plans with Grace. I’d been young and dumb and stupid. I’d thought things would change once I was gone. That Emmanuel would wake up to himself instead of doubling down on criminal decisions.

“Don’t resent me for getting out. You could’ve done the same a hundred times over.”

He laughs with derision. “Ignorance is bliss, brother. You have no idea what our lives are like.”

“Spare me the multimillion-dollar sob story. I’m not here to reminisce. Either bring him out here or tell your dogs to stand down so we can go inside.”

“Do you really want to make that mistake?” He steps closer, getting in my face, the shuffle of feet closing in behind me, Salvatore’s guards following suit. “Remy may have been driven by emotion if he spoke of killing her, but our father will be entirely collected when he gives the order for her death. You’re shortening her already precarious lifespan.”

“I’ll shorten yours if you don’t get out of my way.”

We stare each other down, neither one of us budging until the front door opens, the slight creak of a well-worn hinge dragging my attention to Adena paused in the entry.

“Dante?” She scrutinizes me with a cautious approach. “Is that really my boy?”

Salvatore steps back, his face bitter as she breaks into a run.

Fuck.

I brace for impact as she descends the stairs and throws her arms wide, barreling into me for a hug that snaps my muscles rigid.

I don’t remove my hands from my pockets. Don’t reciprocate.

Guilt is a punishing motherfucker as I imagine Layla’s thoughts as her enemy embraces me like the long-lost child I am.

“My son.” Adena’s face snuggles into my neck, the affection pathetic. “I’ve missed you more than you could imagine. I always knew you’d come back.”

“I haven’t.” I retreat, breaking the connection. “Once I speak to your husband, I’m gone.”

She blinks, her face falling as Salvatore comes to stand at her side. “Why? What is this about?”

“Business,” my brother answers. “It’s not a reunion.”

Another body enters the doorway, the feminine greeting of, “Hi, brother,” brushing my ears before I turn my attention to Abri.

She’s in perfect costume, accentuated makeup, figure-hugging clothes, immaculately styled hair. It’s the smile curving her lips that places a fault in the facade, the jubilation not matching the sadness she can’t hide in her eyes.

“Abri,” I grate.

I remember her as the heart and happiness of this family when I was growing up. Too pure and sweet to survive Emmanuel. Too young and innocent to be taken with me when I left.

I was wrong, though. From what I’ve heard, she’s adapted to the changing environment, transforming into a snake who seduces wealthy married men only to blackmail them with their transgressions.

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