Page 26

O ur suitcases rest somewhere in the far corner of the suite. Although it annoys me, Cove begged me not to focus on the mess and just enjoy myself as much as possible. This vacation is something we both desperately needed — I just wasn’t aware how much we needed it until we got here.

It’s odd.

Cove is not the type to like to travel. If he could, he’d stay inside of his home for the rest of his life. The only time he’d leave would be to have his illegal fights, a bit of racing here and there, and to participate in Kortlek. Otherwise? Cove Steele is a total homebody.

When he told me — no, he didn’t ask me, he told me — that he’d be taking me on a small trip to Italy, I was confused. Arlo was immediately on board as well as Father. Now, that was fucking weird. The two of them never seemed to see eye to eye with Cove these days. Why the sudden change?

Blair’s completely useless. When asked, she just said she was clueless and left it at that. She practiced her poker face over the years, and as much as it pains me to admit it, I wouldn’t be able to tell if she was lying or not.

The very next day, our suitcases were packed, and we were on the first flight to Rome. The only reason I came willingly and without asking too many questions was because I knew that sooner or later, an opportunity would present itself and I’d figure it out.

Then, both Cove and Arlo would get their asses handed to them.

My hair is wrapped in a fluffy towel, which matches the robe on my body. It’s in a deep red color, and Cove has the same one, only a couple of sizes bigger. A pair of sunglasses rests on top of my nose as I put my bare feet up on the small stool in front of me, slowly sipping on the hot cup of tea in my hands.

The November sun is a whole lot warmer in Rome than it is in New York. It’s not hot, but it’s very nice. I put the cup down on the small table between the two chairs, the other one occupied by Cove, and closed my eyes. A soft breeze hits my skin, and a small smile latches onto my face.

It’s peaceful.

Like the calm before the storm. I know there’s one. I can feel it in my bones. I don’t know where, when, or how it will happen — but it will. My intuition has never failed me, and I won’t start doubting my gut feeling now.

After taking a rest day when we arrived, we spent the next three days sightseeing, trying out the best-rated restaurants around the city, and relaxing. Not once has Cove mentioned Wyatt. To make matters even worse, every time I brought up the men we captured, he’d brush me off and say that Dad and Arlo took care of it.

I know they did; I want to know how.

“Is there anything else you want to see?”

Cove’s voice breaks my train of thought. I lean back into the chair and cross my legs. The soft breeze makes this whole situation a little less intense. I’m certain a lot of things are being kept a secret from me specifically, and in order to snoop around and find everything, I’ll have to play along.

“No,’’ I sigh. “I’d prefer resting today. Or maybe grabbing a bite. That sounds good, too.’’

“Anything specific?”

I take my sunglasses off and turn to look at him. His hair’s slightly damp from the shower, and he’s wearing his boxers only. My eyes drift to his thick thighs and the veins that seem to stand out as he shifts in the chair.

God, I want to have my head squished between those delicious-looking thighs.

“I could have some carbonara.’’

Cove sighs. I look up at him, and he has an unreadable expression. He’s trying to stay here with me, but mentally? He’s miles away. All of this tells me that the sudden trip has everything to do with Wyatt. Yet, he hasn’t done anything even remotely suspicious since we got here.

It’s not my proudest moment, but while he was showering last night, I snooped through his phone. All of his texts to Arlo are mundane, with Cove provoking him, then leaving him on read when my brother starts spamming with rage texts.

“One of these days, you’ll turn into carbonara,’’ he snorts.

“Well, it’s not often that I get to eat an authentic one. I’m making the most of my time here. Speaking of which,’’ I pause, leaning over on the table, looking at him and trying to carefully observe his expression. “When are we going home?”

He lifts a brow. “Why? Tired of me already?”

“Yes.’’

“Ouch,’’ he says in the most monotone voice known to mankind, and I laugh.

“Don’t be like that,’’ I tease, “you know I adore spending time with you, but we could’ve done that back in New York.’’

Cove hums. “I needed a change of scenery.’’

“You did?” I blink, baffled. Oh, he’s starting to lie so badly that it’s laughable. “And what made you pick Italy?”

“Arlo’s suggestion,’’ he shrugs. “Besides, you can’t say you don’t like it here.’’

I smile. “I do like it.’’

It’s true. I’ve been to Italy a few times in the past with my family, and it’s always been a wonderful experience. All of the food, culture, and tourist destinations are to be seen. However, I’ve never been here without knowing when I’d return home.

“Go get ready,’’ Cove says. “I’m taking you out.’’

A small groan slips from me. “Can I pay at least once?”

He gives me a stern look. “There isn’t a single scenario in this world where I’d ever let you pay for a date, Aria.’’

“I do have more money than you.’’

“Then spend it elsewhere. You’re not paying for our date, and that’s final.’’

I raise my hands up in surrender with a small laugh. At times, he can be so traditional that it’s insane. Though, I find it endearing. He won’t outright say it, but I see it in his actions. He wants to take care of me, and I’ll gladly let him.

It feels too good to be taken care of by Cove Steele.

While I was getting ready, doing my makeup and hair, Cove went out to a boutique and bought me a dress. I’m not surprised he knows my exact size and taste, because the dress is absolutely gorgeous. The sleeves are lace, with the same neckline. It’s tight, ending right above my knees, half-backless with a big belt around the waist.

The color is deep red, and I happen to have a matching lipstick.

Once I put it on, it was a struggle to keep Cove’s hands off me. He was all over me, and we almost didn’t make it to the restaurant. My stomach growling caused him to pause and save it for later. The restaurant was a couple of minutes walking, which was nice on the nice, slightly chilly, November night.

I take a sip of the white wine, inspecting my surroundings. The carbonara tasted divine, creamy, and delicious. Cove isn’t drinking tonight, and throughout the dinner, I could tell that something was bothering him. The conversation was going great, but his eyes would often flicker all around.

“So,’’ I clear my throat, putting the glass back down. “What’s going on?”

His eyes snap to mine, and his shoulders slightly tense. “What do you mean?”

“Well, I’ve noticed a few things.’’

“Such as?”

“For one, this whole trip is bullshit. I know something’s going on, and you know that I know. Now, that aside, tell me why the fuck Logan is sitting a few tables away from us?”

Cove’s shoulders go fully rigid, his eyes slowly narrowing at me. “You’ve noticed,’’ he states.

“Of course I fucking noticed,’’ I hiss. “He’s been working for Hudson for what — ten years at this point? Ten fucking years. Of course I’d notice him. And he’s been following us around since we landed here, which means he was on the same flight as us.’’

“Listen, Aria—’’

"No, you listen. I don’t care that you think you’re protecting me, but you’re not. You’re only angering me by not telling me what is going on. This is my life we’re talking about. No one has ever made decisions for me, and no one will start making them now.’’

I take a deep breath, reminding myself not to cause a scene in public, in a foreign country, at that. I exhale the air, straightening up in my seat. Cove’s eyes don’t move from my face, and I see his brain go into overdrive.

He’s contemplating whether or not to tell me.

“If you won’t tell me, Logan will.’’

Another beat of silence passes, and I stand up.

“Sit the fuck back down, bunny.’’

I want to hit him, curse him out, and almost kill him for commanding me to do anything, but before I can, my body obeys him, and I sit right back down. I bite the inside of my cheek, momentarily hating the fucking hold he has on me.

He shifts his attention around us, and before I know it, he stands up. With a frown, I follow him as he goes to pay for our meal. Once he’s done, he grabs my hand and leads me out. The tension in his shoulder makes me think carefully about what to say.

We’re walking down the street, and there’s slight anger in the way he moves, though his grip on my hand isn’t painful. Once we make it to the hotel room, I close the door behind us. I’m about to ask him what the hell his problem is when he abruptly turns around, pins me to the door, and covers my mouth with his hand.

My brows narrow, and with his free hand, he places his index finger on his lips, signaling me to keep quiet. My heart starts racing, but soon enough, I hear it myself. Distant, faint sounds of breathing. By my calculations, there are four people here.

Slowly, Cove moves his hand from my mouth, pulling out his gun. With a nod, I softly take off my heels, put them aside, and reach into my coat that’s hanging by the door. A small knife is inside, and I clutch it in my hands.

Cove makes the first move and walks further into the suite, and I go to the other side. The bathroom door opens, and one man immediately comes right at me. He holds a gun tightly in his hand and fires a shot.

I manage to dodge it just in time, rushing toward him. My fist collides with the side of his cheek just enough to throw him off balance. I knock the gun out of his hand, briefly glancing at the object as it falls down with a loud thud.

The split second of him being shocked is all I need. My knee flies to his dick, and he groans in pain, falling down to his knees. I wince, knowing I hit him with more force than necessary, but at the moment, I don’t find it in me to care.

I hit his nose, watching as blood splatters, the sound of the bone cracking sending a shot of thrill down my back. A small smile appears on my face, and I push him down, straddling his lap. At the moment, I don’t think of keeping him alive to interrogate him because the darkness in me wins.

Before I know what I’m doing, the knife is pierced in his chest. He screams out in agony, and I blink rapidly — his filthy blood getting in my eyes. I don’t stop stabbing, slicing, and destroying the man beneath me until my entire body is covered in blood and until I can feel his heart under my fingertips, slowly ceasing to work.

All the small hairs on my neck straighten up, and I try wiping the blood off my face with the lace sleeve, only managing to smear it further.

I turn around, my eyes meeting Cove.

Behind him are the other three men, one immobilized but alive, the other two dead.

Cove stares at me covered in blood. The white parts of my hair are stained, a few droplets falling down my chin. My hands are coated in the liquid, the chest of the man under me torn open. My breathing is labored, sweat covering my forehead.

“Fucking hell,’’ he mutters, inching closer to me. “I need you to fucking marry me, bunny.’’