Page 88 of Salvatore

Something shifts in his expression. The relaxed lines of his face now seem forced. Fake. “That’s prized information.”

“Don’t you think I should know, given the circumstances?”

“I’ll willingly give you all my secrets,mi reina. Just know, once you have them, you’ll need to remain with me to ensure their safekeeping.”

Remain with him? For how goddamn long?

Something vibrates, short and sharp in his vicinity.

Whatever it is he doesn’t acknowledge it. He only stares, those eyes peering into mine, his steadfast temperament wearing me down when I need to be strong.

The vibration sounds again and again.

“Is that them?” I lower my hands from his chest. “Are your brothers messaging you?”

“Probably.”

“And you’re not going to check what they have to say?”

“Would it make you feel better if I did?”

Probably not.“Yes.”

“As you wish.” He raises and extends his left arm, exposing his watch. “Hurry the fuck up. Lorenzo is livid—that was from Matthew.” He thumbs the toggle on the side of the watch face. “And from Remy—Lorenzo is yelling in Italian. I don’t know what the fuck he’s saying but your name is getting dropped more often than your self-preservation would appreciate.Then there’s Bishop who says—You’re an asshole.” He returns his gaze to mine. “Feel better now?”

I struggle to hold in my nausea. “Yeah. Thanks. God bless.”

He grins, undeterred.

Christ, he’s handsome. Such an incredibly strong force of nature. An unholy deity.

I guess I’d prefer to die at the hands of someone like him. Someone impassioned and filled with stark conviction. Someone who I know has at least the slightest pinch of humanity hidden beneath all his layers of malice, unlike Alonso or Gabriel.

I cross my arms over my chest, attempting to distance myself from surrender and failing miserably. I can’t stop yearning the safe harbor he’s baiting me with. To finally be able to breathe thanks to the protection of someone powerful enough to shield me from my family.

“Get back in the car, Ivy.” He stands before me, strong, sure, and sinful. “Let me fix this for you.”

20

SALVATORE

We’re backin Bishop’s rental and a few blocks down the road when another text notification vibrates my watch.

Matthew

What the fuck are you doing?

It only takes two more minutes for the next to arrive.

Remy

Maybe bringing Ivy up here isn’t the best idea. Lorenzo is going postal.

I scowl at the road ahead, pissed at how long it took for my younger brother to realize the severity of the situation. He should’ve predicted this outcome given he’s crawled so far up our uncle’s ass he could use the old man as a puppet.

“Everything okay?” Ivy asks from the passenger seat.

I keep my mouth shut, knowing full well my sibling animosity will spill out if given the chance.

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