Page 113 of Beauty and the Daddy

Luca's face is a storm. "Belle, don't do this."

"It's done." I turn and walk toward the door, feeling everyone's eyes burning into my back.

"Belle!" His voice echoes behind me. "If you walk out that door?—"

I whirl. "What? You'll what? I'm not yours to threaten anymore, Luca. I never really was."

And with that, I storm out, leaving chaos in my wake. Just as planned.

I slip through the east wing corridors, heart hammering.

Guards nod as I pass—they know the plan.

I reach the suite where Sofia is waiting, and the nanny slinks out to make herself scarce, shutting the door behind her.

"Belle!" She wraps her little arms around my waist. "I heard shouting. Were you and Daddy fighting?"

I kneel down to her level. "No, sweetheart. We were just pretending."

"Pretending?"

"It's like a play," I explain, guiding her to the couch. "Sometimes grown-ups have to pretend to be angry to trick bad people."

"Like spies?" Her eyes widen.

"Exactly like spies." I smile, pulling her close. "Your daddy and I love each other very much. We're just acting to catch someone who's been... naughty."

She nods solemnly. "Is it Uncle Declan?"

My blood freezes. "Why would you say that?"

Sofia shrugs. "He looks at Daddy funny."

Well, I'll be damned. Nothing passes by the kid.

"You're one smart cookie, Sofia Moretti."

She beams and goes back to coloring.

I strain to hear any sounds through the door, but there's only silence.

The plan is for Luca to act devastated, to retreat to his office.

Declan will make his move either on Luca or on me.

"I'm bored." Sofia looks up. "Can we play a game?"

"Sure, sweetie. What do you?—"

The door handle turns. My skin goes cold, then hot.

Fuck me. I should have locked the door, just in case.

The door opens with deliberate slowness.

Declan steps inside, and the temperature drops ten degrees.

The gun in his hand isn't pointed at us—yet—but it doesn't need to be. The message is clear.