Page 79 of Pain and Possession

Just in case.

I hover above her stomach, "Both of you." She gently tugs at my hair messing it up from where I had styled it earlier today.

Brat.

Neither of us really care. I follow her lead letting pull me up to her level so she can press her forehead gently against mine, "Be safe Noè Arcuri."

Olive

I mindlessly flip through a book, counting down the seconds until Noè is far enough gone I can stop thisgood girlbullshit. Fuck Camilla this is my family she threatened. My life. My…ourchild. I've trained as hard as I could while healing. This is my revenge as much as it's his, more even. As welcoming as most people have been, there's those who have kept an intentional distance. I'm an outsider, a nobody with nothing, a former street rat that's caused nothing but disrupt since I arrived.

And I'm about to cause a lot more.

I take a deep breath, readying myself to deal with Rem who has been even more hateful since she was shot. Since Liner died really although nobody seems to hold a grudge about that. Not towards me anyway. The tension in the room is nearly too thick to draw breath at the mention of the Riviera name. In the days after I was taken Camilla's uncle the acting family head tried desperately to find out how much we knew. Noè's invite to tonight's gala is nothing less.

Keep your enemies close.

They'll be ready for something and we're more than ready for them. I slowly stand heading over to the large closet, not bothering to glance at myself in the mirror as I pass it. Noè's pep talk was nice and effective, but I'm still not used to seeing myself like that. As damaged on the outside as I am inside, there's beauty in that and I see it every time I look at him. But seeing myself that way? I'm closer than ever. I head to my row of drawers jerking out the bottom one, the sound of heavy metal sliding forward sends chills down my spine. I don't feel good about this, it certainly will burn the bridge between Rem and I but so be it. The gun feels heavy but comfortable in my hand, all those hours of target practice paying off in a way Noè hadn't expected. As soon as I exit his office I'm met with Rem's deep-set scowl, the look of abhorrence in her face is as clear as day but its only skin deep. Superficial, that much I can tell. Which is exactly why thismightwork.

"Going somewhere princess?" She quips her eyes taking me in slowly. Probably wondering why I'm dressed like a hobo.

It was a lazy day, bite me.

"To the garage." There's no point in lying she knows exactly what I'm doing. Even with one of her shoulders well and truly fucked we both know she can keep me here. Physically if need be and if she can't help is only just a shout away. I need her help, or this won't work.

"Go back in your room."

"No,youget out of my way."

She rolls her eyes sighing like she's dealing with an insubordinate child refusing timeout, "Go back in or I will put you in." I reach behind me, my hand finding the handgun tucked into my pants as her eyes widen slightly.

"I'm leaving. Either help me or don't." She cocks her head to the side slightly, trying to gage how serious I am.

Deadly serious.

"This is the last time I'll tell you, take your little ass back the fuck inside." Anger flares inside me. Never been a huge fan of being ordered around. Much less from someone that has a permanent shit ass disposition. I don't hesitate when I cock the gun and pull it out keeping it pointed at the floor.

"I suggest you remember who you're speaking to. I'm not just some bitch the family head is sticking his cock in. I'm the bitch he's going to marry, the bitch that's pregnant with his child. That warrants just a smidgen of respect, and I think Noè would agree." I spit out, my chest rising and plummeting. I don't have time for all this shit. Her face falters only for a second before she takes a step towards me.

"I hate to break it to you, but Mr. Arcuri is far scarier than you andhetold me to keep you in this room until he got back."

Okay. Plan B.

"The man I love is walking literally into a lion's den on a half-cocked recon mission to get information that is only being threatened because of me. I was kidnapped, people who were protecting me got hurt. Someone that was like a father to me was murdered. That cunt threatened my life and the life of my unborn child and you're going to tell me to get back in that fucking room?" I jerk down the collar of my hoodie, exposing the cut on my neck.

"She had them slit my fucking throat. You don't think I'm strong, you don't trust me to be what he needs. What the family needs. Let me show you how capable I am."

A slow smirk pulls up on her face as she nods, "If you were to go it won't be like that, you'll never get in."

"I'll find a way." I retort crossing my arms tightly across my chest. She just scoffs, "Yeah through the front with everyone else 007. Get in, get to Noè and stick to the fucking plan. Give me your word or I'll lock you in the room next time."

"I highly doubt I'm on the guest list." I murmur as she follows me through the office and back to the room.

"You're with the Arcuri family head, you don't need to be on the fucking list dumbass." She sighs heavily, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Stay here and clean yourself up. I'll be right back."

I step forward readying the gun again. "Rem…"

"I said I'd be right back. Chill."

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