Page 117 of Tragic Empire

Waving his weapon in their direction, he sighs. “Maybe killing him first will add to yourhusband’storment more, though.”

“You can’t kill them,” I protest, getting to my feet with a renewed sense of energy. Bron allows me to stand but acts as a barrier between me and the men. “Please, think about this! You think you can just kill two Morettis and get away with it?”

Bron arches a brow at my pleading tactic. “I think once I get you and Killian on a plane back to London, they won’t risk more Moretti deaths by coming for us.”

“And what about me?” I croak, breathing hard. “You’re going to take away the only real best friend I’ve ever had? You think Jade will still like me after you kill two of her brothers?”

His jaw ticks. “Perhaps losing a friend will be the punishment that you finally learn from.”

Do not cry, do not cry.

Keep going.

Wear him down.

“What about Dante?” I blurt, rounding Bron to put myself in front of Cassio, Armani, and Colton. “Even you have to admit he’s been nothing but kind to me. You want to reward the man who took me in and kept me safe with no ulterior motive by killing two of hischildren?”

“You’re trying to change my mind.” He gnashes his teeth, eyes dark and untamed. “I don’t appreciate being manipulated, Ana. You think I don’t know that if Cassio remains alive, he’ll come for you?”

“No, he won’t,” I argue.

“Yes I fucking will,” my husband rumbles.

I whip around to look at him, pleading with my eyes to let me handle this. I don’t know what I’m doing, but I’ll say whatever it takes to get him out of here alive.

“I won’t go with him,” I vow, spinning back to face Bron. “Let them live, and I’ll go with you. Cassio won’t kidnap me, and I won’t go willingly if he comes for me. I’ll do whatever you want, just don’t kill him because I broke rules I didn’t know I needed to follow.”

“Ana—” Cassio tries, his sentence dying on his lips as I shoot him a glare that could incinerate a weaker man.

“He has to pay,” Bron maintains, but there’s a shift in his demeanor. He’s considering it, my offer. He doesn’t want to take it, but if I push harder, maybe I have a chance.

“Isn’t losing me payment enough?” I swallow hard. “You know he loves me, you know about his past. Taking another wife from him? Isn’t that a worse fate than death?”

God, please forgive me for this, Cassio.

“I don’t like how hard you’re trying to save his life, love,” Bron purrs, using his gun to lift my chin. “He isn’t right for you, you understand that, don’t you?”

“What does that even mean? If not him, then who?”

Bron’s eyes darken, and he refuses to answer.

An idea bounces around in my mind, and I latch onto it.

“Areyouin love with me, is that it? You killed Cole because he had me and you couldn’t?”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” he hisses. “You’re too young, too good. You were supposed to be untainted, and he ruined you.”

“Ruined me for who?” I scream. “I don’t understand. If you wanted me for yourself, why did you marry my mother?”

“You were sixteen when I wed Vivian.” His face screws up. “I didn’t look at you like that. I only wanted to keep you safe. You were so delicate and out of control. I kept you safe, ME!”

He crowds me, hands shaking around his gun.

“Icovered up your little murderous mishaps.Itold Cole how to help you. I thought he was like me—inaweof you—I never expected his fascination to be so twisted.”

In awe of me? Is that what he tells himself?That thisobsessionis innocent admiration?

My throat constricts and I choke up. “So, you won’t have me but no one else can? You want me to live a life without romantic love? Without sex?”