13
Thatbastard Rocco shot me a look and nod that was anything but cordial as he walked past and made his way inside. It took everything I had to stay rooted in place and not make him swallow that goddamn cigarette while he spoke to Amalia. But I didn’t want to give her another reason to fight me. The story of Gloria, or rather, what she thought was the truth, had gotten under her skin. My poorly timed dig had backfired when she threw the reality that she and I were temporary in my face.
But that’s what I wanted, what I’d agreed to, even if thoughts I refused to acknowledge told me otherwise.
“Kill him.”
I slowly turned toward Gio, shocked by his words and even more taken aback by his face, which was void of emotion, as if he’d just asked me the day of the week.
“What did you say?”
“Kill him. Do it. I know you can.”
Raking my fingers through my hair, I shook my head in disbelief.
“Gio, do you hear yourself? Even if I entertained the thought, Rocco is like a son to your father. I don’t think that would go over too well.”
The boy’s eyes found mine, and they held a mix of fear and anger. “He’s going to hurt my sister. You can’t let that happen.”
A rush of blood whooshed past my ears, and I gripped his shoulder, twisting him toward me. “Why would you say that? Did you overhear something?”
His gaze was downcast as he huffed a breath. “No. It’s…just a feeling.”
“What’s going on?” Amalia’s hand was over mine, the one with the death grip on Gio’s shoulder. “Cain?”
“I-I asked him if I could go for a ride.”
She rolled her eyes. “Sure, you did. You refuse to sit on a horse, not even a carousel, and somehow, you expect me to believe you want to ride this crotch rocket?”
“Hey, Gloria is a masterpiece. Don’t say that in front of her.”
She flashed me a hard stare. “You’re sick.”
On second thought, maybe messing with her wasn’t all bad. She looked fucking adorable when she was pissed off.
“Gio, get inside.”
“You’re my sister, not my mom.”
“I can still kick your ass. Get inside. I need to speak with Kai.”
Every time this woman said my name, my cock stirred.
“Gio, listen to your sister.” My command spilled out harsher than I intended.
He looked between us briefly, that emotionless expression back in place before he shuffled up the steps and through the front door.
“Do you trust him?”
“Gio?”
“No, that fucker, Rocco.”
“Well, it’s obvious you don’t.”
“I’m being serious.”
She shrugged. “Is he an honest man? No. But he’s been loyal to my father his whole life. Take that answer as you please.”
“I don’t like it when he touches you.”
“There you go again, trying to claim something that’s not yours.”
My hand trailed down her slender throat and tightened, thumb lifting her chin. “You can deny it all you want, but the way you broke for me, called out for me, and how you were so goddamn wet—that was all mine.”
Amalia closed her eyes. “Kai, you and I…this, us…it’s not real. Remember that.”
“Maybe. I’m not trying to fall in love with you, vicious. But I do plan to fuck you. Own you. And ruin you for anyone else.”
She chuckled and rose to her toes, running her lips over mine. “We’ll see who ruins who.” Pushing out of my arms, she started for the steps. “Come on, my father is going to need us. Rocco said one of his warehouses was hit last night. That is, unless you need more alone time with your girl over there.”
“Amalia, Gio asked me to kill Rocco for you.” She froze, her breath catching. “He said he was going to hurt you. Do you have any idea what that’s all about?”
“How does he know that you—”
“He’s not stupid. You think he can’t see what goes on around him?”
She rolled her eyes and sighed. “Stop acting like you know him more than I do.”
I stalked forward, passing her. “All I’m saying is, be careful with this guy. I know he’s your father’s right-hand, but if he does anything to hurt you…”
Amalia gripped my shirt and shoved me against the door. “I already told you I’m not your damsel. And trust that if Rocco attempts to hurt me or my family, I’ll slit his throat myself.”
She let me tug her into my arms and melted into me as I whispered into her ear, “That’s my girl.”