Page 51

Chapter 51

Nova

I've been stuck in the safe room for what feels like hours, trying to keep the panic at bay by distracting myself with a book.

When there was noise coming from the computer monitor, I abandoned my book and watched as Massimo entered his office with a big burly man. The man inspected the room like he was searching for something… or someone.

Massimo hadn't looked stressed as he stood there with his hands in his pockets. He hadn't even twitched when the man came close to the hidden safe room door and the lever that would open it.

Then they left.

Somehow, I know that man was here for me, and is a threat.

Had my father sent him?

But Massimo knew that man—otherwise, there’s no way he would’ve let him inspect his private office. So it couldn’t have been one of my father’s men.

Even if that man wasn't here for me, I know the attack at the gates has everything to do with my father.

As my panic returns with a vengeance, I'm caught between two warring thoughts.

One—that's driven by years of psychological abuse and all my hard-learned lessons—tells me that my father is coming and that Massimo will hand me over .

The other—surprisingly, the one that I'm starting to believe more and more—is that Massimo will protect me. And along with believing that is the revelation is that I'm no longer that same broken girl, and I can fight against my father. I've unfurled or been forged into something new. It doesn't matter which analogy is used, because I'm an entirely different woman.

However, at the moment, the former thought is winning between my warring thoughts, and my inner critic hisses all those self-deprecating words at me. Telling me that I'm a gullible fool for thinking Massimo cares about me and will protect me.

A door slams, and I jump, spinning toward the door that leads into Massimo's office. However, it the door is still closed, so I turn to the computer monitor, realizing the slamming door was in Massimo's office.

As I watch, my mouth falls open in shock as a man charges toward Massimo. Aside from the tattoos covering the exposed skin of his neck, wrists, and hands, he looks strikingly similar to Massimo—only slightly shorter and not as broad.

"You fucking asshole." He snarls and slams into Massimo, punching him in the jaw. Massimo's head snaps back, but he takes the hit without retaliating.

When he pulls back to punch Massimo again, Vito, rushes in and catches his fist. "Let's talk, baby brother."

I realize the slightly smaller man is Creed, the third Santoro brother.

"Fuck you, Vito," Creed snarls. "Did you know, too?"

Massimo scowls. "Vincenzo told you everything."

Creed fists his hands. "And why the fuck did I have to learn about it from Vincenzo Pisani ?"

I go still at that name. I've heard it before, but where?

"Why did I get the confirmation from Vincenzo that the fucking heinous son of a bitch Mancini is, in fact, responsible and involved in everything that happened to my wife?" Creed seethes.

"For this exact reason."

I wince at Massimo's cold tone and his stoic expression .

"Fuck's sakes, Mass." Vito grabs Creed again to stop him from attacking Massimo. "Your grumpy motherfucker persona isn't exactly helping right now."

The tension in Massimo's broad shoulders eases, and he rubs his jaw. "Good to see you're not going soft, baby brother."

Creed's light blue eyes blaze with anger, but he half-snarls, half-laughs while shaking his head. "Explain yourself, Massimo."

"I didn't want to cause Sophie extra stress during her pregnancy, Creed. And as much as I wanted to pull you in on everything we've learned, you're not exactly level-headed when it comes to her—she would've known something was up." Massimo steps close and wraps his hand around his brother's nape.

The Santoro Brothers' love and loyalty to each other is well known in our world. If you fuck with one, you get them all. I watch the three brothers in fascination.

They're the polar opposites of my brothers. If this was Paulo and Emilio, they'd be going for the jugular. Paulo, my eldest brother, has said more than once that family is just as likely to slide a knife into your back as an enemy. I've always suspected he sleeps with a knife and a gun under his pillow because Emilio hates him and has never hid his resentment that he was second born—the spare heir , as my father liked to remind him.

"Vito and Raf have made sure that Sophie is protected, over and above the protection you already have in place, Creed. And Mancini has never made a move against Sophie since we recovered her from being delivered to that death ring."

I close my eyes as bile pushes into my throat. Massimo's family will never forgive what the Mancinis have done to them.

"Vincenzo was certain you have that fucking bastard's daughter." Malice laces Creed's tone, which cements my belief about Massimo's family. "Well, where is the little b—"

"Watch your fucking mouth," Massimo growls as he steps toward Creed, fisting his big hands.

Creed's eyes widen, and Vito steps in .

"Mass is the Don, Creed. And Vincenzo here has put everyone on edge."

Creed looks between his brothers, his brow furrowed. Vito loops his arm around his shoulder. "You keep your feet on the right side of the line and go to Triple S; she's going to be wondering what's going on. Gem can only accompany her for so long."

Creed turns to Massimo. "Brother—"

"I have it handled, Creed."

"Do you?" He studies Massimo. "Because if I'm reading this right, I see the threat to our family is actually escalated."

"I have it handled, Creed," Massimo asserts again. "Trust me, baby brother."

His jaw shifts as he regards Massimo and then Vito. "I do trust you…both of you. You know I'll always have your backs. And I know you're a strategic and intelligent leader, Massimo."

A look I can't decipher passes between the three brothers, and then Creed walks out the office door.

I'm left feeling bewildered, clearly missing whatever unspoken exchange just passed between them.

Once the door closes, Vito turns to Massimo. "We need to execute the plan immediately, brother. You can't delay any longer. You must do what you have to with the princess."

My stomach drops in fear of what that could mean.

Massimo turns to look at the hidden safe room door and looks straight into the camera—like he's staring right at me through the computer monitor.

Then he's walking toward me.