Page 60 of Intrigue

Then my fist connects with his face, next. Each impact is for every time he touched her, hurt her. My pulse pounds, drowning out reason. I think about Selene’s voice, the way she looked at me, the way she always looks at me like maybe I’m more than this. More than a blade waiting to be buried in someone’s throat. I promised her I wouldn’t let the rage own me.

Cassian wheezes, barely conscious. The red haze nearly consumes me until I hear her voice in my memory: “You’re more than your violence, Alessandro.”

I stop, chest heaving. Cassian moans, barely conscious.

Cassian’s blood drips onto the polished floor. “The Don...” he mumbles. “Gun... drove here... had to warn...”

I grab the accelerant I stashed earlier, methodically dousing the gallery’s perimeter. The sharp chemical smell fills my lungs as I work. This place needs to burn, it needs to draw everyone here for what comes next.

“You really love her,” Cassian slurs, spitting blood. “Should see... your face when... someone mentions her.”

“Shut up.” I drag him toward the exit, his dead weight slowing me down. Part of me wants to leave him here, let the flames claim him. But Selene’s voice whispers in my head again: “Show me who you really are.”

The first flames catch, hungry orange tongues licking up the walls. Soon the old building will be an inferno, a beacon in the night. The Morettis will come running to their fallen. The Marconis will follow the smoke. And Selene...

I secure Cassian in my car, not too gently. The fire spreads faster now, consuming artwork worth millions. Money means nothing compared to keeping her safe. The Morettis know her secret. They’ll try to use her, break her, claim her as their own.

I watch the blaze grow, planning my next moves. The game board has changed. Everyone will converge here soon, drawn by the flames like moths. When they do, I’ll be ready. For Selene, I’ll burn this whole city down if I have to.

Then, through the crackle and roar, I hear it.

My name.

Selene’s voice.

“Alessandro!”

My heart stops. That voice—her voice—cuts through the roar of the flames. I spin around, and there she is, silhouetted against the burning night.

Chapter 19

Selene

Smoke fills my lungs as I sprint toward the burning gallery. The gun weighs heavy in my grip, still warm from taking down the Don’s men. Flames lick up the historic brick walls, painting the night sky orange. My heart pounds against my ribs as I round the corner.

Through the haze from a distance, I spot two figures. Sandro drags Cassian’s limp body from flames and secures him in a lying down position, to the backseat of the car, but leaves the door open.. Without thinking, I charge forward.

“Alessandro!”

He spins and ourur eyes lock. It’s like five years of pain and confusion crash over me as I see the truth blazing in his expression.

“I got your message,” I choke out. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I doubted you.”

In three strides, he closes the distance between us. His hands cup my face and his thumbs brush away tears I didn’t realize were falling.

“Never apologize to me,” he whispers fiercely. “Not you. Never you.”

Our lips crash together in a desperate and healing kiss. I pour every ounce of regret and longing into it while clutching his shirt. He tastes like smoke and redemption.

“I will never let you go again,” Sandro vows against my mouth. “Never.”

A harsh laugh cuts through our reunion. Cassian pushes himself up on his elbows on the seat, blood trickling from histemple. “How touching. The street rat and the traitor, together at last.”

Red clouds my vision. I lunge for him, but Sandro catches my waist. “He’s not worth it.”

“Let me go!” I thrash in his grip. “This bastard had the guts to hit me! He lied about everything!”

“Your whole life is a lie, princess,” Cassian spits. “Daddy dearest wanted you dead from the start. You’re not even his blood.”