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She wasn’t sure ofanyone’sfealty. The only person whose motivations she understood was standing right in front of her.Dante had little chance of surviving Divorando without her, which meant that to him, her life was valuable.

“I will put my complete faith in our troops when it’s time for battle,” Alessa said, looking from Renata to Tomo. “But I’ll focus on my duties better until then, knowing I have someone trustworthy watching my back.”

For years, Alessa had been the figurehead of an army that treated her like a child at best, and an enemy at worst, but now she was in charge of someone. A strong young man who didn’t take a knee for anyone, including the former Finestra and Fonte, and while he wasn’t cowed byherauthority either, he did follow her orders. Some of them. Regardless, he worked forher.

Renata sucked in a breath, and Alessa steeled her spine. “He’s an experienced fighter, and I won’t discuss this any further.”

It was first time she’d ever seen Renata speechless.

Rebellion might prove addictive.

Fourteen

Senza tentazioni, senza onore.

Without struggle, there is no glory.

Alessa pinned Dante with a dark glare as Tomo and Renata left.

Leaning against the archway, Dante raised a bright green apple to his lips, entirely nonplussed by the staring war she’d initiated.

“I told you to wait upstairs.”

He shrugged. “I was going to, but it turns out half this place wants you dead, so I figured you could use an escort.”

The only sound was an occasional crunch as he casually chomped away, impervious to her goal of burning holes in his face through force of will.

“What wasthatall about?” he asked.

Cocking her head to be sure her mentors were out of earshot, Alessa pushed loose dark waves of hair behind her shoulders. “Renata is debating whether to kill me.”

Dante froze, teeth sunk into the fruit’s white flesh. He finished the bite and swallowed. “And?”

“And?That’s all you have to say?”

“If I lay a hand on her, they’ll hang me.”

“Well, you’re safe, because I told her if my death becomes necessary, I’ll do it myself.”

He stared into the distance. “Huh. Then how would I get paid?”

“I cannot believe Iampaying you for this.”

He tore another chunk from the apple, garbling his words. “If you wanted ayes ma’am, no ma’amkind of guard, you had plenty to choose from.”

“Oh, I certainly don’t expectthat.” She rolled her eyes. “But a little sympathy wouldn’t kill you.”

“Not much can kill me,” he said with a flinty smile. “And sympathy wasn’t in the job description.”

“Neither was talking back.”

“I go above and beyond.” Dante shrugged. “Pick your next victim?”

“No.” She glowered, even though she’d had the same thought a hundred times. “As you suggested, I’m trying something new. Are you willing to stay on a bit longer?”

“Howmuchlonger?” Dante asked, squinting.

“I promised them a decision by Carnevale.”