Page 53 of Wicked Princess (Knight's Ridge Empire 2)

“We thought it was the Italians. Retaliation for what we did—”

“The Italians? Who— Oh my God,” she breathes. “Ant and Enzo. They’re—”

“Part of the Mariano Family.”

She works her jaw as she thinks, dipping her head and breaking our contact.

Sensing that she’s about to try to slip away from me, I reach out, take her hand and lead her over to one of the sofas. Dropping down, I pull her right beside me. Now I’m here, with her, I need her close. I’m like a fucking junkie.

“But they were at Nico’s party. Why did you let them—”

His brow quirks.

“Okay, fine, so you didn’t exactly let them do anything.”

My heart sinks for Calli.

“Does Calli know?”

“She does now, yeah.”

“See?” she spits, trying and failing at jumping up.

“Stop running,” I growl.

“This is why you need to stop keeping Calli in the dark. If she knew the truth, then…”

I stare at her.

“She wouldn’t have met him if she knew, Seb. She’s not an idiot.”

“You’re right.”

“I-I’m sorry, what?”

I can’t help but laugh at the incredulous look on her face.

With a smile, I repeat my previous words. “You’re right.”

“Wow,” she breathes, resting back into the sofa. “Hell really did freeze over.”

“So that means you forgive me?” I ask, turning to her and sliding my hand up her bare thigh.

“Oh yeah,” she laughs, her eyes crinkling with her faux amusement. “That’s not happening.”

“But I’ve got all these ways in mind to help convince you.”

“I’m sure you have.” Her fingers curl around the edge of the sofa and she hauls herself up. “Well, this has been fun and all…”

She’s not quick enough and I move with her. My hand on her throat stops her movement, although she doesn’t look at me. She keeps her eyes locked on the door, ready to run.

“We’re not done yet, Hellion. Not by a long shot.”

I run my nose along her jawline forcing a shudder to rip through her body.

“And I think you’re more than ready for it.”

Her face hardens, her eyes narrowing as my fingers tighten on her throat.