Page 66 of Cage the Storm
I reach out, my fingers brushing hers. She hesitates, but only for a moment, before taking my hand. As I pull her to her feet, the book slips from her grasp, falling to the floor, forgotten. Now we stand toe to toe, the space between us uncertain, but I don’t move. I watch her instead, my eyes locked onto hers, waiting.
Waiting for her to prove she understands exactly what’s at stake.
“You think I’d betray you?” Her voice is quiet.
“I think you’ve spent years planning your escape.” Her breath catches. She knows it’s true.
“Tell me you never thought about leaving. Tell me you never imagined taking your father’s empire, and mine too.” Her lips part, but nothing comes because she thought about it.
Her jaw tightens, and frustration flickers across her face, but she doesn’t look away. She doesn’t deny it. Instead, she lifts her chin, refusing to let me see it as weakness. “I thought about it,” she finally admits. “Because I had nothing else. No one else.”
She was alone.
And now, she’s not.
“But I have something now. Someone.” She steps even closer, the heat of her presence unmistakable. It wraps around me, daring me to believe her. “I chose you.”
I stay silent for a long moment, watching her. “Then don’t make me regret trusting you.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
LUNA
I stare at my reflection,watching the way the gown clings to me and how the deep emerald green brings out the gold in my eyes. Tonight, I’m a woman stepping back into the world on my own terms.
I run my fingers over the diamond bracelet on my wrist, a gift from Nico. Tonight isn’tjust about appearances. It’s about taking control.
The door clicks open behind me, and I feel his presence before I turn.
Nico doesn’t speak; he watches me and takes me in like he’s committing something important to memory.
When he finds his voice, it’s rougher than usual. “You’re glowing.”
I swallow the words, hitting deeper than I care to admit. In a few short strides, his fingertips graze my bare shoulder.
“I don’t know if it’s the freedom or the child, but either way, it suits you.” A breath catches in my throat.
“I didn’t realize you paid attention to things like that.” He lets out a soft chuckle.
“I notice everything when it comes to you,amore.”
I’m too shocked to reply, so when he gives me his arm, I take it. Then I hold my head high as we walk down the stairs, and I finally get my first taste of freedom after all this time.
The city rushes past in streaks of light—too fast, too bright, like I’m watching it all from the outside. I keep my eyes on the window, on the blur, on the steady hum of the engine. It’s easier than thinking about how long it’s been. How much of myself I’ve had to lock away just to survive. Nico sits beside me, one hand resting on his thigh and the other curling around a whiskey glass. He hasn’t said much since we left.
“Are you nervous?” His raspy voice cuts through the stillness.
“Should I be?” I ask, but his question just spiked my anxiety.
“Not at all, butthey’ll want you to be.”
His words unnerve me. It’s a reminder that this night isn’t just about appearances, it’s about alliances.
“Then I won’t be.” Something darkens his gaze. An instant later, his hand captures mine.
“Stay by my side.” It’s not a request, it’s a command. “No matter what.” I curl my fingers around his.
“Always.” Nico would never admit that he’s anxious, but I feel it rolling off him like waves.
