Page 84 of Ruthless King

“Cazzo, Dante,” I hiss.

“Scusi.” He lifts his hands as he mutters the apology. “Ineedto speak to you.”

“And I told you I have absolutely nothing to say.” I shove past him, and at least he has the sense to get out of my way.

“It’s about Stella’s father.” Dante’s words send a prickle of unease down my spine.

I halt and spin around to face him. “What about him?” I growl.

“You know this thing with you and Stella has been driving me nuts…. And since you refuse to speak to me, you completely cut me out of the business and your life, well, I had some time on my hands.”

“Get to the point, Dante.”

“I did some digging, which was why I wanted to apologize to Stella. I was wrong about her being a spy.”

“No shit,” I snarl.

“Why didn’t you just tell me, youcoglione?”

It tore me up inside to admit, but I too shared the blame in what happened. This could have all been avoided if I’d only told him the truth about her. I press my lips together. I had no idea why I hadn’t, other than wanting to keep Stella all to myself.

“I know about your little deal with Liam McKenzie,” he continues when I don’t answer. “And I’ve heard the lowlife doesn’t have the money to pay up.”

I could have guessed as much. I’d had Tony keeping an eye on him too and between all the drinking and wallowing in self-pity, I figured thestronzohadn’t rounded up the funds. It was just another thing I’d deal with when the time came.

“That name also rang a bell….” His eyes taper at the edges, and my heart kicks at my ribs. “This girl is Vinny’s sister?”

A soundless scream tears from my lungs. I swallow down the pain and grit my teeth. I don’t know why it matters, but I didn’t want my brother to know. Even more so now after what he’d done.

“I get it now. Why this girl has gotten under your skin.” He steps closer, and I take one back. I hate feeling cornered. The urge to run coils beneath my heated flesh. “She has no idea, does she?”

I shake my head, the faint movement barely perceptible.

“Fuck, Luca, I’m sorry.”

I clench my lips into a thin line. “No,” I grit out. “You don’t get to do this. You tried to rape her!” My eyes widen as I realize how my outburst echoes through the museum’s halls.

“I thought she was Bo’s spy,fratellino. And I swear, I wasn't really going to sexually assault her. I was only trying to scare her.” He drags his hands through his hair. “I fucked up, okay? I’ll do anything to make it up to you.”

“To me?” I shout.

“To her, whatever.”

“Not whatever!” My fingers curl, nails cutting into my palms. I draw in a deep breath to keep the fury at bay. I’m about a second from losing my shit and attacking him again. “I can’t do this right now,” I hiss.

Dante backs off, holding his hands up again. “I’m sorry. I swear I’ll find a way to make this right somehow, okay?”

Whipping my head back and forth, I barrel by him and storm down the quiet hallway.

CHAPTER38

HOPE IS DANGEROUS

Stella

The slap of approaching footfalls sends my pulse skyrocketing. I lean against the vanity and draw in a breath. My pussy pulses with need, fiery excitement building in my core. She’s such a littleputtanafor Luca. I’ve already discarded my lace thong, tucking it into my tiny clutch. It’s a good thing it’s a little scrap of indecent material or it never would have fit.

The door swings open, and Luca’s imposing form fills the doorway. A faint groan parts my lips at the sight of him.Dio, he’s gorgeous. And mine. At least until the week is up and my time in captivity ends.