Page 74 of Wicked Knight 2

“Is that what this is? Punishment for escaping. Do you think I wanted to live under Papa’s thumb? I left to get help.” I glanced back at Rex. “We came back for you.”

“Take her,” he muttered.

“Donata, let’s go.” Enzo practically dragged me out of the library. “I know you had it in your head that between the three of us, we could carry him out of here by force. But you know better than anyone that that’s not how it works. He found a home here.”

“He loves me.” I let Enzo usher me across the courtyard where our people had the entire household on the ground with guns held to their heads. “We were happy.” I briefly made eye contact with Belinda, Galina and her daughters.

“Come on. It was stupid enough for all three of us to come on this expedition. Let’s not linger.” He put me in the back of our SUV and then climbed in behind me. “Drive,” he ordered, and within seconds, the car rolled across the yard and headed out.

“Why is it always like this with us?” I sobbed into Enzo’s shoulder. “After all this time, we could finally be together. And he just went and found another thing to stand between us.”

“You fought for him. That’s all you can do.” He held me tighter. “He needs to fight back.”

“Today could’ve been a massacre. If I had wanted, I could have all of his people killed.” I wiped the tears off my cheeks. “He didn’t care.”

“First of all, going in guns blazing is not your style. You did the right thing. A peaceful takeover was the right call.” He blew out a breath. “Even though all I wanted was to see that old man get beaten to a pulp for what he did to Aurora and my son, Leo.”

“I’m sorry.” I hugged him. “That must’ve been hard for you. If we had threatened his life, his people would’ve fought back. They stayed put because Maxim didn’t call for them.”

“Like I said, it was the right move.” He let out a small laugh. “What now?”

“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “Maybe it’s time I let Luca Gallo go. For my own sanity, I can’t play these wicked games with him anymore. That reckless girl from high school no longer exists. It’s just me now.”

“That sounds like a good plan to me.” He kissed the top of my head.

CHAPTER27

The name is Luca Gallo

Maxim/Luca

Two months ago, I never would’ve thought I’d find myself lurking about in the antechamber of a secret enclave, waiting to see the king of the Society. The small living area didn’t look familiar at all. I’d gotten used to the difference between not remembering and not knowing. I was certain I’d never been here before, which made sense given how Luca was twenty-third in line to be the next Don Gallo.

My jaw clenched painfully at the thought. So many had died, that now the title of Don belonged to me. As far as Alfred knew, I was the only one left. I wanted to believe that I wasn’t the only survivor, that more members of my family managed to live through the threat hanging over our heads for the last couple of years. Maybe now that I had returned, they would know it was safe to come home.

I ran my hand over the bust guarding the double doors to the boardroom. The silk wallpaper, the ornate furniture, the art, it all screamed old money. Not that any of the decor was done in good taste. It was all just old and expensive. Luca’s house had a better style. I shook my head to remind myself that his house was mine—his life was also mine.

“Don Valentino will see you now.” A tall and burly guy in what seemed like an expensive suit appeared in my line of sight. “Right through here.” He pushed the heavy wooden door open.

The next room was more of a library that reminded me of the one at the compound. Tall bookshelves filled with leather bound books lined the walls. The fireplace was the focal point to the right. Though to the left, the piece taking up most of the space was a huge table, with a lion head carved in the center of it. Someone took their branding seriously.

Rex sat at the head of the table, looking like he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. A feeling I was familiar with.

“Thank you for seeing me,” I said as soon as he lifted his head from the papers in front of him.

“I didn’t have a choice.” He sat back on his throne-looking chair. “You have something I want.”

“That seems to be the recurring theme as of late.” I chuckled. Whereas I knew for sure I’d never been in this room before, I had a feeling Rex was, at the very least, an ally. “I’m here to make a deal.” No sense in beating around the bush.

“Sit.” He gestured to the seat to his right, which I found odd since the closest one would be the one on his left.

No point in arguing, even if I had something Rex wanted, what I needed from him was much bigger.

“You still drink whiskey?” He stood and ambled to the bar cart and poured two glasses. “First things first.” He set the tumbler on the table. His lips pursed. By the time I figured out what he meant to do, his right hook had already connected with my side. “That’s for breaking my sister’s heart.”

Fuck. “That was not my intention.”

“Oh.” He cocked an eyebrow. “Another recurring theme. You yanked her chain all through high school, harassed her in college, and now you decided you’re done with her.”

---