Page 45 of Intrigue

Tonight, I give in.

Chapter 14

Alessandro

The basement stinks of rot. Mold creeps up the stone walls, the slow drip of a leaking pipe the only sound besides Gino’s ragged breathing. Blood smears the concrete floor, pooling beneath his shaking hands. His fingers are barely recognizable now, the skin peeled back in wet ribbons, nails cracked and pried loose. He sobs, head lolling against the chair’s back, but I dig the knife in again, just under his knuckle, and his body jerks.

“Scream as loud as you want,” I say. “No one can fucking hear you.”

A strangled whimper. Pathetic. “Please—”

“No.” I press down. “You thought you could snitch on me and walk away breathing?”

His chest heaves, spit pooling at the corner of his mouth. “Don promised me a big payout. I was just supposed to report to him, everything you did. Please.”

The tip of the blade slides under his next nail. A single movement, and it pops free with a wet snap. His scream is choked, desperate.

Then I snap his wrist back, his bones cracking sharp under my grip. Blood spatters my boots, pooling in large volumes all over the floor. “How long have you been spying on me? Answer me, you dumb fuck.”

“Please…” His voice is a whimper now, fading fast.

Gino’s head wobbles. His swollen eye is barely open, lip split down to the teeth. “Since the girl left,” he wheezes. “After that night. After Edoardo died.”

My fingers tighten around the knife handle. My scars throb. Fire roars through my skull, its phantom flames licking at my arms, my throat—

I exhale sharply, pushing it down. “Don Marconi’s known since then?”

Gino nods frantically. “He—he’s been watching you. Since before Selene disappeared. He knew—he knew you were playing both sides.”

I step back, tossing the blood from the blade. My jaw clenches. That bastard. The old snake’s been on to me longer than I thought.

I glance at Gino’s trembling form, his body sagging in the chair, half-conscious. Useless now. I twist the knife one last time, a final breathless gasp escaping his lips before his body slumps forward.

This war just got personal.

***

Don Marconi’s villa looms ahead, golden light spilling from arched windows, guards stationed at every entrance. They tense when I approach, but I don’t stop. My steps echo against polished marble, the scent of cigar smoke thick in the air.

Inside his study, the Don lounges behind his desk, swirling a tumbler of whiskey, his eyes cool. His eyes lift to mine, cold and cutting, but there’s something else there, and it is not surprise, it’s like he’s been waiting for this.

“Sandro.” He leans back, assessing me. “Imagine my surprise when Gino paid me a visit. In fact he came to me with an interesting story. Something old. Then you go and buy Cassian’s gallery. What's really your angle?”

I don’t sit. “Cut the bullshit.”

His lips twitch. “Alright. Let’s get to it, then. What exactly was my daughter doing in your house?”

I keep my expression blank. “Nothing that concerns you.”

“Everything concerning Selene concerns me.” His voice is smooth, too smooth. “And what’s this about Cassian’s gallery? That wasn’t part of our arrangement.”

I tilt my head. “Respectfully, sir, that isn’t the bone of contention.”

His smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “Oh, but it is.” He sets the glass down with a deliberate clink. “You’re playing at something, Sandro. Buying out Cassian’s leverage. Taking an interest in my daughter’s affairs. I wonder, should I be worried?”

I meet his eyes. It’s a standoff, two predators circling, each unwilling to submit. My stomach churns, but I don’t let it show. He knows too much already. I can’t let him see just how deep I’m in.

Instead, I keep my tone light. “Since I bought the gallery, why don’t we make a trade? Free Selene from Cassian’s leash.”