Page 57 of Dangerous King
Roberto lunges forward. The hand I damaged is still wrapped in a bandage, but he pulls out his other one as if to strike me. My father grabs his arm. "This is a peaceful meeting."
Roberto shakes my father's grip off, glaring at me. I tilt my head. My eyes challenge him to do something else stupid.
"I have your word she won't leave the country?" Edoardo asks me, making it hard for me not to laugh. Stupid buffoon.
"Of course," I say, keeping my voice smooth as glass. "She's under my protection."
Edoardo nods at Cat. "Thank you, Signorina Costa. Your composure is admirable."
Her jaw twitches, but she holds his gaze. I watch her rise slowly, with a grace I know she had to learn the hard way. As we leave the room, I offer her my arm again, and I'm pleased when she takes it.
This time, I'm not just shielding her from the men behind us. This time, Iwanther close. It's that want which shakes me to the core.She'sshaking me to the core. She's inflaming emotions in me that I didn't know I possessed.
The hallway outside the office is quiet, but I can still feel the weight of eyes behind us. I watch as Cat moves off, not speaking until she is safely upstairs, her footsteps soft but steady on the marble steps.
Then I turn to Silvano, who is waiting for me. "Someone planted Izzy at the Giordano's house. It wasn't Giovanni or Roberto who took her."
Like everything, he takes the news in strides, going with it like we suspected all along. "Any idea who? Can't be Roberto."
"No," I say. "He's too stupid. And Giovanni was too careless. This was someone outside the family, but with enough access."
Silvano's mouth tightens. "We've got to get our hands on the guy Izzy identified."
He's right. Baldi would be the key to telling us why and how he planted her in Giovanni's basement.
"Alright. I doubt Kingsley knows anything about that guy, but I'll ask Marcello to check with him. In the meantime, keep an eye on Roberto. I don't trust that fucker."
"Will do, boss."
Silvano disappears to make arrangements, and I step out onto the terrace, phone already in hand. The fresh air cuts through the remnants of the meeting, crisp and silent. I tap the screen and bring the phone to my ear.
He answers on the second ring.
"Orsi."
"Sartori," I reply.
We're still learning each other's rhythms.
"What can I do for you?"
"You remember the night Kingsley showed his face at Valente?" I ask.
"Hard to forget."
"Silvano mentioned he wasn't alone. Someone was with him before everything went sideways. Did Kingsley say anything?"
"He was too busy holding his balls and spitting his teeth out," Marcello smirks.
Yeah, that sounds about right.
"Is this about Izzy?" He asks. His voice is careful, but not cold.
"Maybe."
"If it is," he says slowly, "I'll talk to Kingsley. Nobody goes after our families."
"Let me know if you find anything," I reply, before hanging up. I'm starting to like the guy and the rapport we're building.
