Page 18 of The Freedom in Captivity

Done for the night. Where are you?

Nico

Greenhouse.

I head in Nico’s direction, past the various other rooms in the hallway—the library I’ve never set foot in, a lounge, and even a game room—until reaching the glass door right at the end. Before I moved into the mansion, Enzo had the greenhouse constructed for Caterina.

An itchiness slithers up my arms as I step from the house and into the warm space. I hate it down here. It’s so…perfect. So rich. I’ve never enjoyed being in this part of the house whatsoever. Normal people don’t have small greenhouses built just ‘cause or an entire room made to sit, talk, and drink. Caterina encouraged me to use the library frequently, to expand my literary knowledge, but it’s probably one of the only directives I’ve always denied. I much prefer the desolateness of the basement or the aloneness of my room.

I enter the greenhouse slowly, completing a customary sweep. Nico’s perched on the edge of the stone water fountain in the centre with Della beside him. Her hand is clenched between the two of his, and a flash of once finding Caterina and Lorenzo sitting in that exact position bombards my mind. It’s scary how much Nico is beginning to become his father.

That day, I had gone searching for Caterina, wanting the gentle peace she always managed to source for me, when I found them together. I didn’t stick around because the obviousness of their love caused my gut to churn. It was only a year after my time with Rozelyn and witnessing their love for one another, not masked because they believed they were completely alone, made me realize how I still wasn’t over Rozelyn at the time.

This time, when seeing Nico and Della in an identical position, their love apparent, I don’t have the same churning. My underboss has found his happiness, and I can only hope his sticks around and doesn’t become comparable to a cold death, like what mine with Rozelyn had become.

“Flynn.” Nico stands, rebuttoning his jacket when he spots me. Della follows him up, shooting a small smile at me. Our interactions have been limited and I tip my head respectfully to the organization’s next queen. “Thanks for coming.”

“Sir.”

“How’s Rozelyn now that a complete day has passed?

“She’s…” I search for the correct word. “Erratic. Shows no fear, which makes me wonder all the shit De Falco taught her.”

At the mention of her stepfather, Della looks away, taking her bottom lip between her teeth. She nibbles it for a moment, distress curling the lines of her face.

“I’m not surprised,” Nico says with a sigh. “Did she elaborate on why she wanted in here?”

I shake my head. “She claims she’s planning on telling us eventually but not yet.”

Nico’s brows furrow and he inches to the side of the greenhouse, his attention sliding to the dark outdoors. “Unacceptable. She doesn’t make the rules here.”

“Working on that.”

Della speaks up. “Is she stalling? Giving Stefano time to build up an army and attack? We know he likely fled the city, so maybe he’s gathering forces. Hm.” She looks to her husband and back, a hidden conversation passing between them before she finds me again. “I want to visit her.”

“No.” The answer is immediate, second to the realization I’ve denied my underboss’s wife.

But Nico’s lips pull into a smirk, suggesting we share the same thoughts, and I didn’t piss him off.

“She’s not safe, Mrs. Corsetti,” I explain, forcing my tone softer than the situation calls for.

“Della. Please don’t be so formal.” She waves her hand in the air and counters with, “She’s my stepsister. She’s nasty, but poisoning Aurora seems a bit out of character, even for her.”

“No one’s denying it,petite souris. Both Rozelyn and Aurora confirmed what happened. I’m sorry because I know you don’t want to accept it.”

“I get that,” she stands straighter, “but that’s not my point. What she did was stupid, but I knew her.Livedwith her. We both lost our mothers, were both under Stefano’s influence…You think that doesn’t have an effect? She might be confused between what’s right and wrong. She’s…” Della sighs, her shoulders decompressing as though with all her points made, she’s lost the energy to continue, “traumatized or something. I don’t know.”

Emotions have always been difficult for me to make sense of. To comprehend how a person can hate someone so much and yet have empathy for them. But it’s clear Della’s showing her kindness by wanting to search within Rozelyn’s dead, black heart.

“I’m leaving this up to you, Flynn,” Nico states suddenly, his sharp gaze coming back to me. “Can it be safe for Della to visit?”

I search his expression, seeking anything indicative of which direction he wants this conversation to go, but find nothing. He remains stoic.

“I’ll make it safe enough,” I finally respond. “If you really want to see her, Della, and you’re allowing it,” I glance at Nico, “then it happens. But in a few days. Right now, I’m leaving her be.”

“That’s the best method?” Nico questions, his voice hardening. “We need answers quickly, Flynn.”

“I understand, sir, but I know her type.” Hell, I knowher.“Leaving her alone to stew in her thoughts. Whatever she’s hiding will be all she thinks about until it drives her crazy.”

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