Page 149 of Crazed

Luca's phone buzzes. He glances at it then orders, "Go tell your bride you'll be a while. They're five minutes away."

I gaze behind my shoulder to make sure no one else is around then demand, "No one touches Leo. He's mine. Understood?"

"I get Fat Tony," Tristano claims.

Luca motions toward the staircase. "Then go warn your bride she might not see you tonight."

The buzz in my veins grows. It always happens before I'm about to go into the dungeon. By the time I get to the library in my wing, I'm antsy.

Katiya's reading a book. She looks up and smiles. "Hey! Is it time to get ready for dinner?"

I sit on the couch and tug her onto my lap.

She smiles and cups my cheek, tracing my jawbone with her thumb. She tilts her head, asking, "Why do you look serious but happy?"

I decide it's better not to lie. "Leo's here."

"What? Where?" she frets, looking around.

I tighten my arms around her. "Not up here. In the dungeon."

She inhales sharply then freezes. Her hand shakes against my cheek.

I cover it with my palm and state, "He's going to pay for what he did to you. Tonight."

Her eyes well with tears.

I swipe at one that falls. "Dolce—"

"Let me do it," she chokes out.

It's my turn to freeze.

"I-I could do it," she claims, but it sounds like she's trying to convince herself.

"No."

"But—"

"No. I won't have you involved in this."

She bites her lip, and the tears freely fall. "I-I thought so many times about killing him. I imagined how I would do it."

Her confession doesn't surprise me. I acknowledge, "I know. But you aren't doing this. You'll never get it out of your mind if you do."

She sniffles and turns her head.

I move it back so she's facing me. "Let me do this for you, dolce."

She stays quiet.

"Trust me to inflict and extend his pain," I demand.

She finally nods, blinking hard.

I hug her then rise, setting her on her feet. She glances up, and I say, "Come on."

"Where are we going?"

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