Page 118 of Thorns of Silence

“Huh?” Why would she have a child with her?

“A girl, Dante,” Amon said, exasperated. “If it was Phoenix, she had a little girl with her, so make sure you add that to your search profile.”

“I don’t care for redheads.” Of all the things in my mind, I didn’t know why I uttered that one. “A child? She better not have gotten married.” Anger crept beneath my skin, slow and searing.Deadly.“She’ll be a widow faster than she can saybang.”

I had to swallow the burning rage I felt at the mere thought of another man touching her. Kissing her. The beast inside me pounded his chest, eager for bloodshed.

“Let’s not jump to conclusions. The last thing we need is you making a mess here. Your mission is simple: find Phoenix and get out. Keep it clean, brother.”

“What the fuck am I supposed to think? Phoenix with a little girl?”

“Think about finding her.”

His voice was distorted by the emotion rushing through me, drumming in my veins and ringing in my ears.

“I’m going to murder—”

I didn’t get to finish my statement. “You know, maybe you should worry about me murdering your crazy ass. She’s my half sister after all.”

Images of her body writhing while some bastard touched her toyed with my sanity. She was mine and mine alone.

Red crept into my vision, drenching Cesar in it. He still stood there, watching me like I was losing my mind. Too fucking late.

“She’d better not be living with a man either,” I deadpanned.

“I swear, Dante. Your obsession with Phoenix worries me.”

I scoffed. “Well, aren’t you the pot calling the kettle black.”

A heartbeat of silence passed before Amon said, “Remember when you said she looked familiar to you?” I hummed my answer while my dreams centering around a faceless woman rushed to mind. “Ever figure it out?”

“No, but I will. And she’s going to help me.”

I sensed that Phoenix was the key to all my answers.

“Don’t you fucking dare hurt Phoenix when you find her.” Amon’s threat rubbed me the wrong way.

“I don’t beat women.” My tone was indignant, pissed off that he’d even insinuate such a thing. “I’m not Father.”

But the moment the words left my mouth, I recalled my hand on Phoenix’s throat. My fingerprints on her pale skin. The fear in her eyes.

I’d have to ensure I was never around her during my blackouts. I’d never forgive myself if I hurt her.

“I know you’d never hit a woman. It’s your obsessive nature I’m worried about. It’s obvious she’d prefer to keep to herself.”

“No, she wouldn’t prefer that. She wants to be my wife.” Cesar’s scoff didn’t escape me, and I shot him a glare. “She’s just stubborn and refuses to admit it.”

I had to believe that truth. There wassomethingbetween us. I knew it. I felt it.

“If you say so.” Amon’s tone told me he didn’t believe it.

“Do you think she’s living with a man?” I questioned, fixated on any fucker of the opposite gender being anywhere near her.

“How in the fuck should I know?”

“Well, you’re her brother now,” I grumbled. “Shouldn’t you know what she’s doing?” After all, he was the head of the Romero family now. “Whatever man she might be living with, I’ll cut his balls off.”

And I’d make her watch so she’d know never to bother with another man.