Page 29 of The Villain
“She’s collateral, that’s all.”
“It didn’t look like that to me.”
“I’ll take care of Allegra. You don’t need to worry about her. In fact, I don’t even want you thinking about her.” I stand up. “What do you want for this?”
He finishes the last of his coffee, sets the mug on the table, stands and buttons his jacket. “What do I want?” he asks, eyebrows raised. “Nothing. It would be bad for Blackstone business if our stepbrother were to be connected with a seized arms shipment, don’t you think?” he asks testily. “Besides, since when do I have to want something to help you out?”
I’m being an asshole. I know. I push a hand through my hair. “Then I’ll thank you for bringing me the information.”
“You’re welcome.” He checks his watch. “Better go. One word of advice. Watch out with her. She’s under your skin. It took me a split second to see it. They’ll see it.”
Bytheyhe means her family. Jethro isn’t stupid. I’m sure the same thought that crossed my mind has crossed his. Now that her father is gone, I could expand my territory. Michael isn’t his father and Malek isn’t blood. Any truce we had in place they broke when they tipped off the Feds. Allegra could be the bridge.IfI want that.
When I went over there last night, it was not with that in mind. When she walked into that office and Ilaid eyes on her, that wasn’t my first thought. She may be more useful than I realized at first, but that’s not why I took her.
I see.
I want.
I take.
I am a man. And when I saw Allegra, I wanted her. So, I took her. Simple as that.
I nod to Jet. It’s not that I don’t trust him. Out of the three of them, Sybil, Severin and Jet, he’s the only one I’d come close to trusting. But I wouldn’t give him my back.
Once Jet is gone, I go into my bedroom to find Allegra sitting on the edge of the bed staring at the door. No, glaring at the door.
“I want to see Amal and Daniel,” she demands. “They’ll be worried.”
I pause for a moment, thinking, then walk into the closet to grab my suit jacket. I pull that on and walk back out.
“Fine. Let’s go.”
“Wait. What?”
“Fine, we’ll go see them.”
It’s clear from the furrow between her brows that she’s surprised and suspicious. “Why?”
“You’re concerned for them. Or am I mistaken?”
She narrows her eyes, but stands. I notice she’s wearing the ballet slippers she had on last night. She will need a proper pair of shoes and a coat. It’s freezing out there. The shoes she’ll have to wait on. The coat I can provide.
“So, you’re just going to take me because I’m concerned for them?”
“No, I’m going to take you because you asked so nicely,” I say with a wide, sarcastic smile. I open the door and gesture for her to walk out ahead of me.
She studies me, obviously not trusting me, but is smart enough not to push it. She walks out of the bedroom.
I follow her out, sliding one hand beneath the mass of long, dark hair and wrapping it around the back of her neck. She stiffens and I wonder if it’s my touch or the reminder that we have unfinished business regarding those scars.
“Where’s your brother?” she asks once we reach the door.
I take one of my coats and drape it over her shoulders. It hangs all the way to the floor. I pull another one on myself. The soldier at the door opens it. The air is bracing, sun bright on the freshly fallen snow. A path to the SUV has been cleared, but Allegra’s ballet slippers look like just that, slippers. “Stepbrother,” I say, and scoop her up.
She yelps, hands closing on my shoulders, surprised, then, when she realizes she’s holding on to me, she fights to get free. “What are you doing?”
“Be still.” I look down at her upturned face, her fire eyes, the oval of her angry little mouth. I tighten my hold and carry her to the waiting SUV. Enzo opens the back door, and I slide Allegra in then follow. She quickly scoots to the opposite side, tugging my coat tighter around herself.
