Page 132 of Brutal Crown

“I don’t know.”

I yank the glass from his hand and smash it against the wall.

“Try again,” I growl.

Marco stands slowly, brushing off his shirt. “Stop acting like a madman. You’re not the only one who cares about her.”

“No, but you’re the one who stood there and watched while she walked across burning coals for this family, for you! And now she’s gone, and you’re here sipping Scotch like nothing happened.”

“I’m not sipping anything now,” he says dryly, glancing at the shattered glass cup. His tone becomes serious as he adds, “They won’t kill her.”

“You knew they would take her.”

“I had my guesses.”

I grab his collar, my rage spiking again. “Give me more than guesses.”

“The Society loves to make a show of everything. They take the traditions to a different level,” he starts in a calm tone. “If they have her, they’re not going to touch her before the Reckoning.”

“Ifthey have her? So they might not?”

“She’s not dead,” he says matter-of-factly. “If she were, they would have made a public statement by now, bragging that they’ve taken the life of someone they believe deserves it.”

My fists shake, and my throat feels raw. I can’t say a word. A part of me feels slightly relieved at the chance that she’s still alive. The other part of me is still terrified.

I stare at Marco for a long moment. Then slowly, I let go.

There’s a beat of silence before he speaks again, quieter this time.

“Francesco… I know you think I stood by while they took her. But I’m doing what I can to save her. I care about her, and you know this. I’ve got your back.”

His eyes hold a certain look that settles in my heart. An understanding shifts the tense air. A rare truce passes silently between us, between brothers who’ve fought too many wars on opposite sides.

“We’ll get her back,” he says.

I nod once.

I know Marco is hiding something, but that is the least of my problems right now.

I need to get Lia back, but rescuing her from the captors isn’t enough for me.

The Society took her to send a message.

And now?

Now I’m going to answer with fire.

I’ll burn them to the ground.

35

LIA

“You have had the wrong idea about me for a long time,” he starts, leaning slightly forward on his elbows. “It’s time to change that.”

I stare at him silently, but my heartbeat accelerates in my chest.

He sighs, leans back, and folds his arms across his chest. “You already know the Society isn’t just a council. It’s a prison wrapped in gold, ruled by men who lost their souls chasing power. The Elders decide who lives, who dies, who breathes, who burns.”