Page 59 of Brutal Kiss

The words are out before I can stop them, raw and honest and irreversible. Vito's eyes widen slightly, and I see the exact moment he understands what's really happened here.

"You fell for her." It's not a question.

"She's mine," I repeat, my voice steadier now. "And if you make me choose between her and you, it's going to be her. Every fucking time."

Silence stretches between us, heavy and dangerous. I can feel the other people in the room watching, waiting to see how this plays out.

That's when the front door opens and Rina walks in, her dark hair disheveled and her face pale with worry.

"Any word on—" She stops when she sees Vito and me squared off, the tension in the room hitting her like a wall. Hereyes move between us, taking in our aggressive postures, the way we're both breathing hard.

"What's going on?" she asks quietly.

Vito doesn't take his eyes off me. "Dante was just explaining why he let your sister run off into the night."

"I didn't let her do anything," I snap. "She made her own choice."

"Because you couldn't control her."

"Because I love her."

The admission silences the room completely. Rina's hand goes to her throat, her eyes widening. Vito stares at me like I've just admitted to murder.

Maybe I have. Maybe loving Sofia Gallo in this world is suicide.

But I'd rather die protecting her than live without her.

CHAPTER 29

Dante

The silence stretchesfor maybe three seconds before Rina moves.

"Both of you. Now." She points toward the small bedroom off the main living area, her voice carrying the kind of authority that makes grown men obey without question. "In there. Before I lose what's left of my patience."

Vito opens his mouth to protest, but one look at his wife's face shuts him up. I've seen Rina angry before, but this is different. This is the fury of a woman who's just realized the man she loves has been keeping secrets that put her family in danger.

"Rina—" Vito starts.

"Don't." She cuts him off with a sharp gesture. "Move. Both of you. Now."

We file into the bedroom like scolded children. The space is cramped, barely big enough for the single bed and dresser, which means we're standing uncomfortably close. Perfect for the kind of conversation Rina clearly has in mind.

She closes the door behind us and leans against it, arms crossed, dark eyes blazing. "What the fuck, Vito?"

"Language, cara mia."

"Don't you dare 'cara mia' me right now." Her voice is low, dangerous. "You made a deal involving my sister without telling me?"

Vito's jaw tightens. "It was business."

"Sofia is not business. She's my family." Rina pushes off from the door, stepping closer to her husband. "How long? How long have you been planning to hand her over to Kieran Costello?"

"It's all very recent?—"

"Don't try and skirt my question, Vito!"

I watch the exchange with growing fascination. This is the only person in the world who can make Vito Rosso look genuinely uncomfortable. He shifts his weight, runs a hand through his dark hair, avoids her gaze.