Page 185 of Dancing with the Devil

“Sure,” I gave in, watching her eyes glisten with joy.

Her smile—so soft, genuine, and pure—vanished within the blink of an eye.

My body tensed, as I stared into her dilated pupils.

Slowly, I lifted my hand, feeling the syringe she had just stuck into my neck. My legs went numb first, as the substance seeped into my veins, targeting my muscles one by one.

“I recognized you that night outside the club,” she lowered her voice. “I knewexactlywho you were… I mean, your resemblance to your brother is uncanny, Antonio.”

My voice was strangled. “Nirah?”

“I knew that if I could wrap you around my little finger, you’d do anything I say,” she said—overconfident. “Even kill your own brother.”

“Nirah,” Nereus breathlessly ran up to us. “It’s done. Let’s go.”

My eyes darted back to Nirah in denial. “I’m free,” she whispered, tears brimming in her eyes. “You killed them. All of them, Antonio. Every man that has ever hurt me. My father, Sylvester, Loren, and Alexander.”

A lump expanded in my throat, and darkness filled the corners of my eyes.

“Nirah, we have to leave before they come back,” Nereus’ voice echoed in my ears.

Nirah pulled my head to her chest, softly caressing my back. “Shh,” she cooed, slowly rocking back and forth and my vision blurred. “Riposa, Diavolo…”