Page 61 of Thorns of Silence

“Reina’s waiting for you.” My nails dug into my palms.

“Just go.”

She disappeared with a soft click, and I reached for the pager. The nurse must have put it on the stand after I was rushed away for my operation. I turned it over in my hand, the small device fitting perfectly in my palm.

Bitterness filled me.

How could my life change so quickly in merely nine months?

If only I hadn’t given him a chance… If only I hadn't fallen in love… If only I hadn’t told anyone and handled it myself.

My hand trembled so hard the little device rolled up and down, left and right in my palm.

I would never click it again. There was nothing he could save me from anymore.

I’d never need him—or anyone else—again.

Except, I needed my sister right now. I refused to lose her like I had lost my baby. Everyone always thought they knew what was best for Reina and me, yet all they did was leave us behind.

Like Mamma, who’d chosen suicide over us.

Like Papà, who’d let us down time and time again.

Like Grandma, who made decisionsforus, not with us.

It was time I taught the world to stay the fuck away from us. Starting with Dante Leone.

TWENTY-FIVE

PHOENIX

Istared at my reflection in the mirror.

The same face stared back at me, yet somehow it wasn’t mine. Reina was in England. The girls were at the symphony, which made tonight the perfect time to hit the club where it all restarted. The night Reina got roofied. The night our paths crossed again after two years of silence from him.

The club that belonged to Amon and Dante.

I’d seduce Dante, then ask him for a full tour of the nightclub so I could scope it out. I would destroy it the way he had sent that restaurant and every date I’d had since up in flames. The way his brother destroyed my sister. My sinister smile flashed in the mirror, showing the true Phoenix. The woman I knew I was.

I was ready for payback. I’d finally give them a taste of their own medicine. They’d regret ever hurting my sister and me.

Twenty minutes later, the cab stopped and I made my way to the bouncer.

I flashed him my most flirty smile, then pulled out a phone and typed up a message. “I’m Dante and Amon’s friend.”Fucking not.

Hopefully they were here. Even if it was just Amon, I’d find a way to make him suffer. I wouldn’t seduce him. Even the idea of seducing Amon had bile rising in my throat.

I had a swiss knife in my clutch. I could stab him.Great plan, my reason mocked. Dante was simply an easier and more logical target.

The bouncer stared at me, then checked a piece of paper. “Your name,” he said slowly.

I typed it. “Phoenix Romero.”

He quickly stepped aside, and I tried to stifle my surprise.

I entered the club that belonged to Amon and Dante Leone, wearing my sluttiest outfit—a backless red dress that hugged my curves and barely reached mid-thigh. Across the hallway, I spotted Cesar shaking his head before he disappeared. Knowing Cesar, he was going to alert Dante of my presence. If the fucker didn’t have some kind of satellite surveillance on me already, watching my every move.

Either way, I knew he’d come looking for me.