Page 21 of Corrupt Crown

“Okay, then.” I grit the words out through my teeth. “First question.” My eyes narrow as they lock onto his. “The obvious one. Why am I here?”

His expression hardens, and he looks out toward the turquoise waters of the sea, bracing his hands on his hips. “Your Conti lover murdered my father in cold blood.”

Although I’m not surprised, having witnessed Nico’s fiery temper and callous disregard for practically everyone who crosses his path, pain funnels through my heart at the undertone in Rafe’s carefully cool countenance.

He drops his head, his dark hair falling over his forehead, almost covering the deep frown that forms there. “Then he took my younger sister hostage and is refusing allreasonablenegotiations to return her to us.”

His next words fill me with nausea and terror in equal measure, as his darkened gaze flicks back to mine.

“But he will undoubtedly trade her in return for his beloved, don’t you think?”

RAFE

A floodof emotions plays across Elodie’s face in rapid succession before she drops her gaze. I wait several beats, silently watching her digest this news until she lifts her head. Her eyes are murky.

Dull. Lifeless. Like they had been when she’d thought I was working with Domenico.

I don’t have time to mull it over before she speaks again.

“Second question.”

These fucking questions. She’d called my bluff when she’d threatened to climb off the balcony. I’m feeling grateful that I’d had the foresight to task Enzo with watching the security feed.

This damn woman and her ability to twist me inside fucking out.

I nod for her to continue as she watches me expectantly, her bottom lip tucked between her teeth.

“May I have my cell so that?—”

“No.” My tone is harsh and brooks no argument as I give her my back, striding across the grass to snatch my water bottle from where I’d left it alongside my cell. I take a swig of water before pocketing the cell and turn back to face her, surprised to find her closer than I’d left her.

“I-I need to let my…loved ones know I’m okay.” Her eyes are pleading as she steps even closer, almost within touching distance, and I find myself taking a step back, suddenly hyper-aware of how her proximity affects me.

“I’ve sent word to Conti?—”

“My friend is waiting?—”

“If you’re referring to your friend back in Lazise, you don’t need to be concerned. He decided to extend his trip to Verona alongside Adriano when he got your message that Domenico had arrived to escort you home.”

Her jaw tenses as I smirk. “I don’t think he’s the biggest fan of your lover, judging by his response.”

“There’s no love lost between them if that’s what you mean.”

We regard one another for a long moment, her eyes filled with something that vaguely resembles hurt. I feel a stab of guilt, having been the one to cause it, but I shove it away as quickly as it appeared.

Fuck it all.

I move past her, intent on reaching the sanctuary of my office, hating the way this conversation is progressing. My bare feet eat the distance, though I can feel her right at my heels until we reach the pool deck.

Without warning, I twist about to face her, to tell her that question time is over.

“Miss Rivers, I?—”

She stops abruptly, her sandaled feet slipping on the freshly sprayed tiles, and I snake out a hand to steady her. My palm grips her upper arm as she rights herself to regard me with big blue eyes.

Tilting her head to one side, she reaches up with her free hand to tuck her hair behind her ear. And when she speaks, her words are barely a whisper.

“Third question.” She exhales a heavy breath. “Why?”