Page 47 of Brutal Heir

A CELTIC GODDESS

Alessandro

Fuck, I’ve never seen Rory like this, so panicked, so vulnerable. It’s scaring the shit out of me. My heart slams against my ribs, my hands twitching at my sides, desperate to comfort her like she’s been doing for me for over a week now.Dio, it’s only been a week? It seems like she’s been a part of me forever. I slide across the backseat of the car, wrapping my hands around her shoulders to steady her. The tremor still hasn’t subsided. Whatever, or whoever, she saw back there frightened her so badly she’s still shaking.

My fiery, tough, sharp-tongued Rory.

Who the fuck could bring her to her knees like this? Worse, what the hell did they do to her to elicit this sort of response?

A second ago, she was my anchor, helping me through one of the toughest physical therapy sessions I’ve been through since the explosion, and now, she looks like she’s a second away from breaking.

“Rory, I’m right here.” My hand slides up her shoulder and cradles her cheek. “You’re safe here with me. I’m not going anywhere.” That is, until I find the piece of shit who hurt her and then no one will be safe from my wrath.

“Alessandro...” My name on her lips in that quiet whimper breaks something inside me. Just when I was certain there was nothing left whole, this woman’s presence in my life has stitched together the jagged pieces I thought I'd lost for good.

And someone hurt her.

“Listen, little leprechaun,” I whisper, running my thumb along her cheek, and her wild eyes finally lift to mine. “I’m trying my best to hold my shit together, but if you don’t tell me who did this to you, I’m going to lose it.”

The corner of her lip twitches, but she doesn’t quite smile. At least the trembling has stopped. Her eyes remain glued to mine, the tempest of emotions simmering beneath the surface excruciating.

“Please, tell me.”

“I—I can’t…” That fear resurfaces in her gaze, and red-hot fury races through my veins.

It takes every ounce of restraint to keep my voice level, clenching my fist at my side. “But you saw someone who frightened you?”

Her head slowly dips, jaw clenching beneath my palm.

It had to be that blonde guy that she bumped into as we were walking out. She was fine before that.

“Why won’t you tell me? I can help—” I’ll have every Gemini scouring the streets to find the asshole who hurt her. Then I’d make him pay.

“I don’t want to relive the hell again,” she forces out. “Please, Alessandro, just let it go.” Her eyes flash, and a hint of that fiery redhead returns.

And relief floods my system. Anger I can handle. I know it well.

She straightens, pushing her shoulders back, and my hand slips off her face. The moment of vulnerability is gone, her tough, sarcastic mask back in place. Clearing my throat, I sit back in my seat and call out to the front of the car, “Let’s go, Sammy.”

“You still want to go to the Velvet Vault, boss?” he asks without turning his head. The man has worked for me long enough to know when to make himself invisible.

“Yes, I need to speak with the staff before opening.”

“Will do.”

Sammy pulls out into the typical traffic of Park Avenue, and I hazard a glance at Rory from the corner of my eye. She’s still pressed against the door, but at least she’s not curled up or trembling. Her gaze remains focused out the window, but her eyes have glossed over as if she’s gone to another time or place.

Yanking out my phone, I type out a quick message to Matteo. My cousin is a tech whiz and can hack just about anything. I know for certain there’s a camera at the entrance of the building we’ve just left. I’ve walked by it for weeks every time I come to physical therapy. If anyone can find out who the guy was that spooked Rory, it’ll be Matteo.

After I give him a rundown of the situation, I describe the blonde man who I assume frightened her. The only thing that stood out was that scar bisecting his left eyebrow. I hope it’s enough. My fingers fly across the keypad.

Me: It’s urgent.

Matty’s response is almost instantaneous.

Matteo: I’m on it, cuz. Anything for that cute little redhead.

Me: Don’t even…