Page 95 of Tainted Princess

“It means,” I said, taking a breath before saying the words. “I don’t think staying in Las Vegas is going to keep me safe. I think it’s far too late for that.”

For a moment, no one moved. Then Enzo cursed colorfully before stalking to the bedroom and retrieving his own phone, which he immediately started barking into. Eric also picked up his phone, texting furiously at whoever needed to know the information I had just dropped in his lap.

“Francesca,” Eric stated, not looking up from his phone. “I’m going to get a protective detail on you. If there are already people in Vegas who are looking to hurt you, we need to move quickly. I’ll—”

“You’ll do fuck all, Agent Morrison.” I stood, crossing my arms over my chest and glaring down at him. “I don’t need you or any other government agency getting in my face. The FBI has done nothing but fuck me over, so forgive me if I am not particularly inclined to let them cage me in like they have my father.”

Enzo returned to my side, now clothed in a black t-shirt—which I was briefly sorry about—and stood silently beside me, not forcing his will, but showing Eric that he was on my side.

“I just wanna look after you, Francesca,” Eric pleaded, his face a picture of misery.

“That’s not your job anymore, Eric,” I snapped. “Don’t you have a fiancée at home that requires your attention? Or is she not allowed out in the daylight?”

Eric grimaced. “Caroline and I are no longer together.”

“Well, color me shocked.”

“Look,” Enzo said, laughing quietly at my clear bitterness, “we appreciate the heads up, but it’s time for you to go. Francesca and I have a lot to do today, and none of that includes letting the FBI any deeper into our business.”

“I don’t intend to get in your way, but there is more that I need to tell you, Fran—”

We were all silenced by another knock at the apartment door.

“Now what?” Enzo snatched his gun up again, but Eric moved to the door first, turning and blocking him from opening it.

“I want you to know, Francesca,” Eric said, his face full of earnest sincerity. “That I only found out about this recently. If I could have told you about it sooner, I would have.”

A heavy ball of dread started to form in my stomach. “Found out about what?” I said, facing him as he blocked the door.

“When I first learned about his location, I had to take the time to investigate it before coming to you.”

“Found out aboutwhat, Eric?”

“Then with all that happened between us, I wasn’t sure... but I can’t wait any longer. You deserve to know the truth.”

My heart was racing and I could feel my hands tingling with the start of what might have been a panic attack.

“Just tell me what the fuck is going on, Eric!” I practically screamed.

He stared at me for a beat longer, and I could see him hesitate. But then Enzo started to move toward him, and Eric made up his mind.

Spinning around, he grasped the door handle, looking back at me one more time.

“I’m sorry, Francesca. More than you could ever know.”

The door opened, the light from the hall making the person standing there appear in silhouette.

He was tall, that much I could tell, with broad shoulders and a muscular build. He stepped into the dark hallway of the apartment, and I had to concentrate to stay standing, locking my knees and forcing myself to be strong and remain upright.

Once he was closer, the light from the huge windows behind me threw him into sharp relief, and I could see him clearly. His dark hair, cut short and styled lightly, highlighted his tanned skin and bright white teeth, which he flashed in a wide smile. He felt familiar, but in the way thatdéjà vuwas familiar; something you recognized but didn’t at the same time. I hadn’t seen this man before, but somehow, he was as familiar to me as my own reflection.

I frowned, looking him over again, but I stopped when I got to his eyes.

His warm, golden-brown eyes, looking at me with all the love and adoration I remembered from my youth, and my breath was stolen from my lungs. I clutched my hand to my chest and exhaled on a sob.

“Antonio?”

The smile grew wider as he replied, “Hey, little sis. Long time, no see.”