Page 32 of Bound By Betrayal

He looked between us briefly, that emotionless expression back in place before he shuffled up the steps and through the front door.

“Do you trust him?”

“Gio?”

“No, that fucker, Rocco.”

“Well, it’s obvious you don’t.”

“I’m being serious.”

She shrugged. “Is he an honest man? No. But he’s been loyal to my father his whole life. Take that answer as you please.”

“I don’t like it when he touches you.”

“There you go again, trying to claim something that’s not yours.”

My hand trailed down her slender throat and tightened, thumb lifting her chin. “You can deny it all you want, but the way you broke for me, called out for me, and how you were so goddamn wet—that was all mine.”

Amalia closed her eyes. “Kai, you and I…this, us…it’s not real. Remember that.”

“Maybe. I’m not trying to fall in love with you, vicious. But I do plan to fuck you. Own you. And ruin you for anyone else.”

She chuckled and rose to her toes, running her lips over mine. “We’ll see who ruins who.” Pushing out of my arms, she started for the steps. “Come on, my father is going to need us. Rocco said one of his warehouses was hit last night. That is, unless you need more alone time with your girl over there.”

“Amalia, Gio asked me to kill Rocco for you.” She froze, her breath catching. “He said he was going to hurt you. Do you have any idea what that’s all about?”

“How does he know that you—”

“He’s not stupid. You think he can’t see what goes on around him?”

She rolled her eyes and sighed. “Stop acting like you know him more than I do.”

I stalked forward, passing her. “All I’m saying is, be careful with this guy. I know he’s your father’s right-hand, but if he does anything to hurt you…”

Amalia gripped my shirt and shoved me against the door. “I already told you I’m not your damsel. And trust that if Rocco attempts to hurt me or my family, I’ll slit his throat myself.”

She let me tug her into my arms and melted into me as I whispered into her ear, “That’s my girl.”

14

“Amalia.”

Eva called for me as I set off for my studio, but I kept moving, not in the mood to deal with her shit. I needed to unwind. It was barely noon, yet I already felt the world’s weight on my shoulders. Soon, I’d be married to a man I didn’t love; in two days, I had to gather my girls, some out of retirement, and knock on doors in retaliation for my father’s losses.

And then there was Gio.

“Hey,” she called again, catching up to me.

“I don’t have time for you, princess.”

Evangelina grabbed my arm. “I just wanted to apologize for earlier. And also, thank you for finding Vali. I had no idea she could climb out of the crib.”

“It’s fine,” I said, waving her off and continuing through the courtyard.

“And Derek…”

I came to an abrupt stop and turned to face her. “You’re not trying to apologize on his behalf, right?”