Page 84 of The Freedom in Captivity

I approach the door, my hand going for the wrought-iron knob, ready to open it. If only to determine why he’s returned.

Toseehim again.

Because my stupid heart beats faster just hearing his voice.

Another growl.

And silence.

Two minutes later, it’s still quiet and I return to bed.

Flynn

Nico’s sitting on the edge of his desk, his parents on one side of him, talking quietly amongst themselves. To his right, Rosen stands with his hand in Aurora’s. Ariella lingers nearby, silently fiddling with her fingers.

I take up a position by the door and wait for Nico to begin the meeting. There’s two people missing, and I assume he’s waiting on them. His wife and his brother.

“Where’s Rafael?” Caterina asks.

“I told him I’d catch him up later,” Nico answers, looking up from his phone. “He’s with Isabelle. She’s demanding to leave and he’s having a last day with her or something.”

“She’s not needed any longer,” Enzo cuts in, his tone cold. Lorenzo is never a fan of people outside the Corsetti organization, and I get the sense the daughter of a traitor isn’t falling onto his list of favourite people. “He should return her home and come back, to do his job.”

Nico’s eyes cut to his father’s, sharper than even Enzo’s tone. “Something tells me Rafael won’t like that plan. He didn’t exactly leave much room for an argument this morning. We’ll leave them alone and I’ll catch him up later. As for Della,” Nico finds me across the room, “she’s delivering food to Rozelyn. We’ll begin when she’s back.”

Jealousy burns down my spine. I should be the one delivering her food. I’m the enforcer here, which means she’smycaptive.

Mine.

Has been since the moment at the bench.

As if being called on, the door flies open, breaking my glare with Nico as a bundle of blonde hair and energy rushes into the room, heading right for her sister. The entire room falls silent, all previous conversation ending instantly as all attention falls on the argument Della creates.

“You knew! You fuckingknew, Ariella, and you didn’t tell me.Me!And don’t lie because you’ve already alluded to it.”

Nico slides from his desk, rushing to his wife’s side, who’s placed herself in Ariella’s personal space. He grabs for Della.

“Petite souris,what is going on?” Before he can touch her, she whirls, stabbing her nail into the middle of his chest.

“Did you know too? I bet you fucking did because how could you not? What I don’t get is why no one told me!”

The strain in Nico’s expression is one I’ve seen many times before, and while I’m positive he will not harm Della, his next movements are jerky, snatching her wrist away from him and commanding control again.

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

“My mother!” She rips from his hold, facing her sister again, and in that movement, anger morphs into heartbreak, tears filling her eyes. “Hekilled our mother. Rozelyn basically confirmed it.” Della grabs her sister’s shoulders, and Rosen moves, reaching to separate the women, but Nico holds up a hand, stopping him. “You knew, Ariella, and you didn’t say anything.” Her voice cracks at the end, indicating the yelling is finished.

Silence falls through the room. Della’s heavy breathing. Nico’s tenseness. No one moves, waiting for the mute woman to talk. Even if we’ll be waiting a while for such a thing.

I’m sorry,she finally mouths.

“Everyone out,” Nico commands.

Not even a beat passes before I’m yanking open the door and getting out of there. Drama, I don’t do. Hate it. Nico can deal with the arguing sisters while I return to my silence. Behind me and murmuring to themselves, I hear Rosen, Aurora, and the elder Corsettis exit the office too.

I head for the staircase toward the guest wing.

Why? I wish I fucking knew.

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