Page 123 of Thorns of Silence

“How about I have my driver take you back to town?” he offered.

I smiled and accepted. The bus service in Greece was hit or miss.

If only I’d known then what was waiting for me at the end of that drive.

* * *

I spotted him the moment I slid out of the black car, Skye’s hand in mine. I kept my expression blank as I stared at him, cursing up a storm in my head. Would I run into someone in every damn city I visited? He wasn’t supposed to be in Greece. Of all the fucking countries in the world, why did he have to appear here?

Because he’s stalking you, idiot!

I fought the impulse to run after the car as it drove off, leaving me standing and facing my past yet again.

Dante Leone.

He sat on an old bench on the corner of the street, next to a local who seemed to be talking his ear off despite Dante not acknowledging him. The gentleman chuckled and carried on, nonplussed, but Dante hadn’t broken his gaze from me.

I looked away quickly, but it took all of one second to notice his messy hair and the cigarette dangling from his beautiful mouth, looking like an angry god. His deep blue eyes settled on me, his face twisted with an expression I couldn’t pinpoint.

Whatever it was, a glimpse of it had my heart plummeting into my feet.

His gaze told me he wasn’t surprised to see me. In fact, he’d been waiting for me, and for whatever reason, I knew that Lykos Costello had sent me back into the wolf’s den.

Someone bumped into me, making me almost lose my footing, but I quickly caught myself. Dante’s expression darkened, glaring at the innocent bystander who muttered words I couldn’t read from his mouth.

Then an idea hit me like lightning. It was wicked. It was devious. It was perfect. I’d turn the tables on Dante and act like I didn’t rememberhim. Let him get a taste of his own medicine.

Lowering my gaze to Skye, I smiled softly. “Want to go for a walk before we head back to our hotel room?”

She nodded and we started walking toward Dante. His lips curved into a smile, and with each closing step, his smile grew wider. Three steps. Two. One.

I walked right by him, his masculine scent drifting into my nostrils, and didn’t spare him a glance. As if I’d never seen him in my life.

Dante rose from his seat, and my heart involuntarily skipped a beat. He was the only one who had this effect on me. I could feel his eyes on my back, sending shivers down my spine.

He passed me before turning around to face me. “Hello, Nix. Long time no see,” he signed with a smirk.

I furrowed my brow and blinked, applying any and all skills I’d learned from my grandmother over the years.

My lips curved into a shy, hesitant smile. “I’m sorry. Have we met?”

Take that, motherfucker, I thought to myself.

Confusion crossed his expression before it turned inquisitive, eyes never leaving my face as if he was trying to decipher my intentions.

Seconds stretched, and I felt Skye’s small hand squeeze mine tightly. I loosened my grip, hating that the mere presence of him got to me in such a way. It was disturbing how unsettled he made me feel. I never expected to see him again, yet here he was, standing in front of me.

He smiled, and my traitorous heart went racing.

His eyes lowered to Skye. “And who are you?”

Skye narrowed her eyes on him. “I’m the one who’s going to whoop your ass.”

That’s my girl, I couldn’t help but think smugly. I’d get her an extra cookie after dinner.

But I had to play the part. “Manners, Skye,” I reminded her, smiling softly, then looked at Dante again.“I’m sorry, can we help you?”

“Are you fucking with me, Nix?”