Page 22 of Savage Union
He shrugs, taking a bite. "Suit yourself."
The elevator dings unexpectedly, and we both freeze.
Dante's face confirms my suspicion before the doors even open. He knew. The bastard called Vito.
"You traitor," I hiss, just as Vito emerges from the elevator, his expression carved from ice.
Dante ignores me, setting down his sandwich and straightening to attention. "Boss. Didn't expect you back so soon."
Vito doesn't look at him, his eyes locked on me with the intensity of a predator. "Plans changed." His voice is flat, controlled, betraying nothing of the rage I'm sure simmers beneath.
Vito finally breaks his stare, glancing at Dante. "My office. Is it as you described?"
Dante shifts uncomfortably. "Yes, sir."
Vito nods once, then returns his attention to me. "Come."
It's not a request. It's not even really a command. It's simply an expectation of absolute obedience. I consider refusing, just to see what he'll do, but something in his eyes tells me I've already pushed my luck beyond its breaking point.
I rise slowly, deliberately casual, and follow him down the hallway. Dante trails behind us, his footsteps nearly silent on the marble floor.
When we reach Vito's office door, he pauses, hand on the knob. "Open it," he tells me.
I reach past him, our arms brushing momentarily, and turn the handle. The door swings open to reveal the chaos I created hours earlier.
Shredded papers litter the floor like confetti, the empty bin knocked on its side. Desk drawers remain partially open, their contents disturbed. Documents that escaped the shredder are scattered across surfaces, their careful organization destroyed. It looks like a particularly destructive party bomb went off in the middle of Vito's meticulously ordered world.
Seeing the aftermath in the harsh light of evening, with Vito standing beside me, the childishness of my rebellion hits me full force. Still, I lift my chin, refusing to show remorse.
"Explanation," Vito says, the single word falling between us like a gauntlet.
"I got bored." I shrug, aiming for nonchalance.
"Dante," Vito says without taking his eyes off me, "tell me exactly what happened."
Dante clears his throat. "I received a call around 4:20. When I finished, I noticed she wasn't in her room. I found the office door unlocked and her...in the process."
"I see." Vito's eyes never leave my face. "Dante, you're dismissed. I'll deal with this situation myself."
Dante hesitates, glancing between us. "Boss, I should have?—"
"We'll discuss your failure later," Vito cuts him off. "For now, leave us."
Dante nods stiffly. "Yes, boss." He turns to go, then pauses, looking back at me. "Good luck, princess," he says quietly before slipping out.
The door closes with a soft click that echoes in the tense silence. Vito steps fully into the office, circling the destruction with measured steps, taking in the extent of my defiance.
"You've been busy," he finally says, his voice deceptively calm.
"Needed a project." I remain in the doorway, suddenly aware of how vulnerable I am. "Your penthouse is a bit lacking in entertainment options."
"So you decided to entertain yourself by breaking into my private office and destroying my property." He picks up a shredded document, examining the thin strips. "Did you have fun, Caterina?"
The use of my full name sends a warning shiver down my spine. "It passed the time."
He moves with startling speed, crossing the space between us before I can blink. He doesn't touch me, but his presence alone is enough to back me against the door.
"You think this is a game?" His voice drops lower. "These weren't just papers. They were legal documents, financial records, confidential information that keeps my business—and the people who work for me—protected."
