Page 116 of Dancing with the Devil

“Did you know?” I asked, and her brows lifted as she stared back at me.

“Excuse me, miss?” she softly asked.

“Did you know about Antonio?” I asked again, hurt that Cesar—someone else I had trusted—also knew about this. She fearfully stared up at me before lowering her head.Of course, she fucking did.

I scoffed in disbelief, walking around her as I continued down the stairs. She called out to me, but I ignored her.

In my peripheral vision, I spotted Logan talking to someone in the kitchen. As soon as he saw me, he rushed over with no hesitation.

“Miss Nirah—”

“Logan get out of my fucking way,” I demanded as he blocked the front door.

“I’m sorry, but if you’re leaving, I—” I cut him off with a sharp punch to his nose and he groaned. I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time.

“Move,” I snapped, pushing past him and I watched as he threw his head back with his hands hovering over his bloody nose.

The cold air brushed up against my bare face, sending goosebumps all over my body. I looked around the property and decided to go for a walk.

I needed to clear my head and piece together all the newfound information that had been thrown at me.Antonio did this for you, Nirah.

But he is capable of evil things.

Sylvester hurt you.

It doesn’t excuse his actions.

Without Antonio you’d be hurt, lost, even dead.

No sane human should be capable of doing those things without remorse!

Antonio cares enough to feel no remorse when protecting you.

He could hurt me!

He’d never lay a finger on you, Nirah, and deep down, you know that.

I trusted him, and he broke it.

You can learn to trust him again.

He is bad news!

But he cares for and protects you. You feel safe with him. You feel comfort and warmth—You like being with him.

My inner conflict was interrupted by the sound of crying—whining.

Steadily, I followed the sound and found the tiniest puppy standing outside the gate with his head low. He was shivering. My heart nearly dropped, and I rushed over to him.

I immediately shrugged off my jacket, wrapping it around him. I picked him up and held him in my arms as he shivered tremendously. He was a little teacup-sized tea poodle

“Hey little guy,” I cooed, adjusting him in my arms. “Where did you come from?” I asked, looking around. I tried to find a name but nothing. No collar, no leash, nothing.

I headed straight for the house, and when I entered the warm foyer, I spotted Antonio speaking to Cesar.

“What is that,” Antonio raised a brow at me, turning his body to face me entirely.

“None of your business,” I shot back, but he approached me, stopping in front of me.