Page 31 of Dangerous King (Savage Kings of New York #2)

Her hand is so small in mine, so fragile. I could break any of her fingers without trying. Not that I ever would. But I have to remind myself of how delicate she is. And warm and trusting.

I shouldn't be holding it. Not like this. Not after what I just did.

But I don't let go. Because that kiss?

We walk in silence through the forest path behind the estate, the gravel crunches softly beneath our feet, and Shadow trots ahead of us with his tongue lolling, occasionally circling back to check that we're still following.

The sun filters through the tall trees, casting golden beams across her skin, catching in her hair.

She looks like she stepped out of a dream.

And I'm walking beside her like I belong there.

I can still feel the shape of her mouth against mine.

The tremble in her fingers when she touched me.

The way she leaned in, so innocent, unsure, trembling, but willing .

And now, the quiet weight of her hand curled around mine feels more dangerous than any weapon I've ever carried.

I risk a glance at her. She's not smiling, not speaking, but her shoulders are looser. Her eyes are warm and soft.

She trusts me.

Goddamn.

I don't deserve it.

But I want it.

I want her .

Not just in my bed. I want to be the one she runs to when the nightmares come. The one who keeps her safe when the world claws at her. The one who never lets her be used again.

But can I bring her into this world?

Into my world?

It's blood and silence. It's threats and deals behind closed doors. It's lies wrapped in silk and promises carved into flesh. She's seen the worst of it already. She survived Giovanni. She saved my sister. But surviving isn't the same as belonging .

She deserves peace.

She deserves something clean.

And I'm not clean. I've never been.

My grip tightens slightly. She doesn't flinch. Doesn't pull away.

She leans in closer, bumping her shoulder gently into my arm like she's trying to stay near my gravity. Like she chooses it.

I glance at her again.

Could I keep her out of it?

No.

If she stays near me, the wolves will smell her.

Which means she'll need protection.

And who better to give it than me?

Who better to bury whatever tries to touch her?

If anyone dares?—

My jaw flexes. Shadow suddenly stops ahead of us, barking at a squirrel, then bounds into the brush after it. She laughs. A sound that hits me in the chest like a blow.

That sound.

So rare.

So real .

I'd burn down the entire city to hear it again.

Maybe I already started.

Maybe she's not just the one I want to protect.

Maybe she's the one who makes me want to be better.

Or maybe that's the most dangerous illusion of all.

But I don't let go of her hand.

Not now.

Not ever.

My phone buzzes in my pocket.

She hears it, and before I can say a word, she releases my hand and darts off down the path after Shadow. Smart girl. She knows the call means business. That whatever warmth we just shared is on pause now. Maybe she doesn't know what kind of business, but her instincts are sharp.

I answer the call. "Toni."

"Heard you poked a hornet's nest," he says, the amusement in his voice barely masks the warning underneath.

"Which one?" I murmur. "I've been kind of busy lately."

Toni falls silent. When he finally speaks, it's deadly quiet. "How is Izzy? Is she alright?"

"She is now."

"And Giovanni?"

"Still breathing." I pause. "But only because something about the setup doesn't smell right."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning he might not have known she was there. There's someone else involved." I leave it there. I'm not ready to say more. Not until I know what I'm dealing with.

Toni senses my reluctance and dives right in, "The reason for my call, have you watched the news?"

I usually make a point of checking the news every morning and evening, but I've been too distracted the last few days.

Not that I care about politicians one way or another, we have plenty of them in our pockets from both sides of the aisle.

Still, it's prudent to stay on top of things.

Especially for our family dealing in arms trafficking, a brewing war somewhere always means extra money.

"I'm afraid I've been a bit sidetracked," I admit.

"They arrested Carlos this morning."

That's good news. "Finally. Took the fucking DA long enough to?—"

"For extortion and racketeering," Toni sneers.

Shit. Not for murder.

A deep exhale sounds through the phone as Toni gathers himself. "Never mind the charge. I'll get that bastard either way once he's in jail, and the judge already denied him parole."

"Whatever you do, Toni, don't let it lead back to you," I warn. Edoardo made it clear he would punish Toni if he went after Carlos. I worry his temper will get the better of him.

"I'm not an idiot."

I chuckle, "Debatable. I remember it was you who talked me into that one evening at the Russian's casino…"

He laughs, "You enjoyed it, and you know it."

"Fuck yes," I grin at the memory.

Toni falls silent, "About Edoardo."

Fuck. There it is. Again. Toni wants me to side with him against Edoardo. "I'm not a capo yet," I argue like I always do when he brings this particular subject up.

The truth is, I don't object to going against our Don. If it were up to me, I'd side with Toni—for the simple fact that Edoardo condoned his father's murder. But like I said, I'm not a capo yet. My father is. My support for Toni won't do much, not when it comes to going against our Capo dei Capi.

He pushes. "Are you ready yet?"

"My father still supports him," I repeat what I told him before. "He believes Edoardo's chaos keeps the other capos from growing too bold. That it preserves balance."

Antonio snorts. "Your father's loyal to the world he came up in. Doesn't mean the world keeps loyal to him."

"I know." My voice is tight. "But I don't want to go to war and make him choose sides. Not while he's still… capo."

Antonio doesn't argue. He wouldn't. He loved his own father— still does —he knows how it is with loyalty and fathers. A beat of silence follows.

Finally, to change the subject, I add, "There was a girl in Giovanni's house. She helped Izzy escape."

"That right?"

"She's under my protection now."

Toni hears the edge in my voice. I can almost feel the shift in his tone when he asks, casually, "Someone important?"

"Someone useful," I lie.

He lets it slide. Maybe because he knows better than to push when my voice turns like that. Or maybe because he's keeping score for later.

"Let me know when you're ready," Toni says. "Because when you are, I'll be right behind you. And Edoardo won't see it coming."

Then he hangs up.

I run my hand over my face, then I tuck the phone away and look down the path.

Cat is spinning barefoot in the clearing, Shadow circling her ankles.

Her laughter is faint, light, unburdened.

I breathe the distraction in. I know that sooner or later, Toni will force the issue, and the situation will come to a head.

And when that happens, I'll have to choose between loyalties: friendship or family.

For a second, I let myself believe Cat and I could stay like this, suspended in time, forever.

But I know better.

There's blood on the horizon.

Someday soon, I'll have to choose what legacy I want to leave her standing in.