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“Do I look like one of Vitelli’s circus clowns to you?” Cade’s knuckles blanch on the steering wheel again.

“You might as well slap on the red nose and grease paint,” I sneer. “Your sister is married to him. There’s no way in hell you’re peddling flesh without the Don’s blessing.”

I let my voice drop. “Tell me I’m wrong.”

He rolls his shoulders as if trying to get comfortable and somehow not managing it.

“Go ahead, Cade,” I taunt, leaning closer. Daring him. “Lie to my face.”

Finally, he snaps in a tone that could freeze hell. “Drop it, princess.”

Anger crawls up my throat like acid. I glare out the window, my nails digging crescents into my palms. The fury boiling inside me begs to be unleashed, and Cade’s dismissal only fuels the flames.

Nico Vitelli spent the last three years destroying my family for daring to cling to trafficking, yet he turns around and lets his brother-in-law run the exact same racket?

“Actually, you know what, I’m not dropping it.” I spin back to him, the words spilling out before I can stop them. “I think it’s fucking rich how Nico makes everyone else play by his precious rules while he monopolizes the arms trade. And now, it seems he’s got his lapdog brother-in-law running his trafficking for him—”

The look Cade turns on me stops my heart and my mouth slams shut, survival instinct kicking in too late. Fury blazes in his green eyes and for a moment, it feels like I’ve just stepped in front of a speeding train.

Okay, maybe that was too far.

Forget that Cade is dangerous. The man is Nico Vitelli’s brother-in-law. He might be the only bridge to the lifeline my family needs.

“So . . .” I venture, forcing my voice into something approaching diplomatic, “I’m guessing you and Nico aren’t exactly . . . close?”

Cade’s gaze whips to mine, and if looks could incinerate, I’d be a smoking pile of ashes by now. “I won’t say it again. Drop it.”

Frustration surges inside me.I need to fix this.

Saying sorry flickers in my mind—a ridiculous thought I immediately kick in the teeth. Knowing Cade, he’d throw that apology right back in my face, and I refuse to give him the satisfaction.

“Okay! Fine.” I mutter, eyeing his death grip on the steering wheel. “You can stop grinding your teeth to powder now. I’ll change the subject.”

Cade lets out a low growl. “Or you could try shutting up.”

My lips curl into a smile that’s more weapon than warmth. “Too bad. You don’t get the luxury. Not when there are so many other fascinating topics we could explore.”

Something reckless sparks in me. “Like Delilah Sinclair. Or is she another forbidden topic?”

The change in him is subtle but unmistakable—like ice thawing at the edges. His grip on the wheel eases, shoulders relaxing. When his lips twitch into that infuriating smirk, I realize this subject—Delilah—somehow pleases him.

“No, actually,” he says. “We can talk about her.”

The transformation sends something hot and ugly coiling in my gut. Jealousy, I realize with a jolt. I’m actually jealous of how her name alone can defang him.

“How do you know her?” I try to keep my voice neutral.

He shrugs. “Same circles. I told you she worked with Hector.”

There’s a familiarity in his tone that raises my hackles.

“Have you slept with her?” The question explodes from me before I can swallow it back.

Cade’s lips curl into a maddening smirk. “Not yet.”

I stare at him. “You plan to?”

“At some point, I suppose,” he says, all cold indifference. “She sells it, right? Sex?”