Page 131 of Thorns of Silence

“I’m a terrible mother,” I signed as a tear rolled down my cheek and my lips trembled.

His brows scrunched. “Why do you say that?”

I wiped my nose with the back of my hand. “Because you gave her all this.” I pointed to the closed door, behind which Skye was probably playing happily for the first time since I’d taken her. “I gave her—” A strangled sob escaped me. “I gave her nothing.”

His fingers still on my chin, he brought one up to brush my cheek.

“Look at me and listen carefully,” he ordered, and the old Dante I knew was back. Bossy and annoying. “You gave her life. You gave her love. All of that—” He jutted his head toward the bedroom. “That’s just material shit. Besides, I didn’t even pick it. I had to ask Cesar to put it together. We can take the time to redecorate it together.”

Shit, when he was generous and kind like this, it was hard to resist him. I preferred the asshole so I could keep my barriers up. The loneliness I’d felt over the last few months, the pain of the previous years, the worries—it all faded away.

My eyes lowered to his lips without my permission, and part of me craved to feel them against mine. To feel close to him, the way we’d been five years ago.

“Why are you looking at me that way?” Like he loved me. Like he needed me.

He tensed, silence stretching between us. His presence warmed my skin while he watched me with something that tugged at my heartstrings. Something dark and genuine, vulnerable. And he was lettingmesee it.

“Awake or asleep, sane or insane, all I see is your face. All I feel is your touch. All I want is you.” The pressure in my chest grew so tight it brought another rush of tears to my eyes.

“Why?” His expression and the way he stilled at my question made my heart beat faster. “What if we ran?”

Something conflicting flared in his eyes, terrifying and thrilling at the same time.

“There’s nowhere you could go that I wouldn’t find you,” he vowed. “Try to leave me, Nix,” he said, his eyes narrowing to slits. “I’ll turn over every rock until I find you. I’ll never stop.” He leaned closer, letting out a sardonic breath. “So if you run, dandelion, you’d better keep moving, because I’ll be right behind you.”

And I knew right there and then that there was no moving on from Dante Leone.

FIFTY

DANTE

She stared at me with those bright sapphires, punching tiny but unforgiving holes in my heart. Fear crept into her eyes, but there was defiance there too. It made my balls tighten, every fiber of me demanding I claim her.

My hands clenched into fists, fighting the instinct.

“Where’s my room?” she finally asked.“I hope it’s close to my daughter’s.”

I raised my eyebrows in amusement. “Our room is close to Skye’s.”

She flushed but held my gaze head-on. It was what I’d always liked about her. Her fire.

I stared back at her, not giving away how much I loved our banter. The truth was that I also craved the next part that never seemed to come. The make-up sex, or whatever the fuck it was called. Different scenarios flashed before my eyes: Phoenix arching her back in pleasure as I ate her pussy, me fucking her beautiful mouth, or even better, her body folded over the side of my bed as I pounded her into oblivion.

“Fine,” she caved. “Show me ourroom.” She rolled her eyes, ensuring there was no mistaking her displeasure.

Donatella, the nanny whisperer that Marchetti recommended to Illias for their upcoming twins, just came up the stairs, flicking us a curious look. “Can you keep an eye on Skye?” I asked her, and her gaze darted to Nix as if asking for permission, so I signed, “Is it okay if Donatella keeps an eye on Skye?” Hesitation flickered in her expression. “We ran a background check, and I ran through her references while we were flying back from Greece.”

“I’m also good with American Sign Language,” Donatella chimed in, signing proficiently. Nix’s eyebrows met her hairline in surprise. “My grandparents were deaf, and they’re American.”

A heartbeat passed before Nix answered, “Yes, thank you.”

Donatella disappeared into Skye’s room, leaving the door open. She must have signed something to Skye, because she answered, “Sure, I’d love to build legos with you.”

A soft, happy giggle traveled through the air, and I knew Skye would be in good hands.

We continued walking the length of the hallway until we reached our bedroom. It was the largest room in the castle, once belonging to Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg’s wife, Princess Charlotte. The large sitting room’s décor was accented in royal blue, with a fireplace in the far right corner next to large french doors that opened to the balcony overlooking the sea.

Her footsteps silent against the Persian rugs, she made her way to the adjoining room, coming to a stop in front of the long mirror. A grand archway led to the master bedroom where a four-poster bed sat between matching ornate, hand-carved nightstands and a mahogany chest of drawers.