Page 54 of A Madness of Crows

As I step out, he drags me back, pulling me against his chest. Our breathing merges, mingles, as voices sound in the distance. And then – something that sounds suspiciously like anexplosion.

“Quickly.”

He takes off, dragging me with him as we race to that door, another key in his hand. We press ourselves into the alcove as he turns to check we’re clear. Listens.

And then he looks back at me. “Any second now.”

Seconds. That’s all we have left.

And those words find their way out of my throat. “What will he do to you? For this?”

What will the punishment be? For him? For Iliana?

But he only shakes his head, dismissing it. I open my mouth, but he moves faster.

Stefano Asante presses his lips against mine. Softly. Reverently.

And I press back into him, my body softening as his hand wraps around my back, holding me closer as though it’s the final time he’ll ever touch me.

His eyes are bright when he pulls back, presses his lips to my forehead. His eyes close.

And then he gives me that perfect, crooked smile. “I would have liked a lifetime with you, Caterina Corvo. To break all of the rules.”

I can’t breathe, can’t speak, as he gently moves me out of the way, fitting the key to the lock and pushing the heavy door open.

Hands wrap around the edges, pulling it from the other side.

Strong arms wrap around me in the next second, and I let out a sob as Gio buries his face in my neck. “Gio.”

He says my name, says it over and over again like a prayer. “I have you. I have you.”

And then he steps back, my hand wrapped tightly in his. “We don’t have much time. My bike is down the road.”

I turn back, but—

There’s nobody there.

The space is empty, as empty as the cavern that opens up in my chest.

That was his goodbye.

“Cat.” Gio keeps his voice low. “We have to go.”

His brows knit when I stay still. My mouth opens, closes. Gio looks over my shoulder. “He’ll be fine.”

There’s understanding there. But the thoughts continue to race. “Alessia. She’s safe?”

And Gio… he shakes his head. There’s desperation in his eyes. “We’re soclose, Cat. Luc is getting her out.”

She’s… still there. Still with Matteo.

Gio follows as I take a step backwards. His hands cup my face.

“We will find her,” he swears. “But you can’t stay here, Cat.”

All of the threats run through my mind.

“There is nothing else to discuss, unless you wish to know exactly how many bones there are to break. A surprising number, for such a small, fragile body.”