Page 118

"The kind of man that knew his life was about to end," Luca announces.

I've never seen fear in Dante's eyes before. But Luca's words strike something deep, making Dante's composure crack.

"What are you saying?" Dante's voice is deadly quiet.

Luca's smile is cold. "You think I didn't know you were coming for me? You think you can kill me, brother?"

My hand finds Dante's arm, steadying him as he takes a step toward his brother. The muscles beneath my fingers are coiled tight, ready to spring.

Something shifts in the cathedral's atmosphere, a change in pressure that prickles against my skin. But it's not what's going on in front of me that has me spinning on the spot.

My security training activates immediately, senses sharpening as I scan the space behind us.

Suddenly, the shadows in the alcoves seem deeper. The silence more complete.

"Dante," I whisper, moving closer to him. "Something's wrong."

The hairs at the nape of my neck stand on end, instinct screaming danger before my conscious mind can identify the threat.

Dante's eyes meet mine, recognizing the warning in my tone. His hand moves instinctively beneath his jacket, where I know his weapon waits.

Luca notices the movement, his own posture shifting as he places himself between Bianca and Dante.

"Francesca, speak! What is it?" Luca asks, voice rising in a way that makes Dante's face turn red.

"I don't know," I admit, scanning the cathedral's distant corners. "But we're not alone."

Footsteps echo through the cathedral. They're careful and quiet, but enough to notice. All four of us turn toward the sound, watching as a figure emerges from the shadows near the main altar.

Nico Ravelli walks toward us, the deliberate casualness of his movements sending warning signals flaring through my mind.

"Ah… my beautiful brothers," he greets, stopping several paces away. "I see you've started without me."

"Nico," Luca acknowledges. "We were just remembering her while we waited."

Luca's gaze flicks to Dante, the earlier menace still evident in his stance despite Nico's arrival.

"As we should," Nico agrees, his gaze moving between his elder brothers. "Elena deserves to be remembered properly. Byallher sons."

Dante remains silent, his eyes never leaving Nico's face. Something passes between them, a silent communication I can't decipher.

Yesterday's conversation in the wine cellar, perhaps. The terms of surrender Nico agreed to. The betrayal still fresh between them.

"It's good to see you, Nico," Bianca says, stepping forward. "It's been too long. You disappeared without saying goodbye."

Nico's smile is as fake as they come, except no one but me seems to notice. "Indeed it has, sister-in-law. You're practically glowing. Motherhood suits you already."

Her hand moves protectively over her belly. "The doctor says any day now."

"Perfect timing," Nico replies, his voice carrying an odd cadence that sends another chill racing down my spine. "Some might call it…destiny."

Dante shifts imperceptibly closer to me, his body tensing. He's sensed it too now—the wrongness, the danger hovering just beyond perception.

If only I knew what happened yesterday.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Francesca