Page 22 of Intrigue
It’s a pledge I have no qualms about, given I don’t have much left to live for anyway. Bouncing from foster home to foster home isn’t a life anyone would wish for, nor does it promise much of a future.
Don Marconi’s voice rings from his study, instructing one of his men on something I’m not interested in. I’m supposed to wait, to stand here like a loyal dog until he decides I’m worth acknowledging.
But then, I feel it.
A presence.
I turn just as she appears at the top of the grand staircase.
She isn’t what I expect. I knew Don had a daughter but he never let her out when he had us over.
Dark hair, loose waves tumbling over one shoulder. A silk slip of a dress that’s a little too elegant for a girl who looks like she just caused some kind of trouble. Bare feet, and a silver anklet catching the light. She moves like she belongs to this house, but her eyes say otherwise—storm-gray and sharp with amusement. Like she’s constantly waiting for the world to entertain her.
And then she smiles.
And fuck me, I hate that I like it.
I don’t even know her name yet, but I know this—she’s going to be a problem.
She leans against the banister, arms folded, watching me like I’m something to be studied. Like I’m an animal in her father’s zoo.
“Well,” she drawls, “I expected something more impressive.”
I arch a brow. “Excuse me?”
She gestures lazily in my direction. “You. The infamous Alessandro Vescovi. I heard so much about you growing up, I thought you’d at least have a scar or two. Maybe a missing eye. Instead, you just look…” She tilts her head, as if choosing her next words carefully.
I wait, arms crossed, already irritated.
“…tired.”
A slow breath leaves my nose.
I should ignore her.
But there’s something about the way she says it, like she has already dismissed me, that makes my fingers twitch with the urge to ruin her mood.
“And you must be?” I ask, my tone cool, as if she’s a mere inconvenience.
“Selene Marconi. I’m sure you’ve heard of me. You’ve been coming to my house since you were a child.”
“Is that so? Keeping tabs on me? I see.”
“Nahh, I just take note of everything that walks in here, whether or not I interact with them. Can’t be too careful. Who knows when a stray or psychopath might wander in?”
I hold back my laugh. Can’t let her know she amuses me. “Your father never mentioned you were such a pain in the ass.”
Her crooked smile widens. “He wouldn’t. He likes to pretend I don’t exist unless he needs me to sit quietly in the corner and look pretty.”
I give her a once-over, slowly. I know I’m older than her by about four years, so that should make her seventeen, but her eyes betray a maturity that belies her years.“I can see why. Sitting quietly doesn’t seem like your strong suit.”
She gasps in mock offense, hand pressed dramatically over her chest. “Oh, he bites! I was starting to think you were one of those stiff, brooding types who never says anything interesting.”
I huff a laugh, stepping closer to the staircase. “And I was starting to think you were one of those spoiled little princesses who only speaks when spoken to.”
Her eyes gleam. “I never do what I’m told.”
Of course she doesn’t.