Chapter 17 #3
Satisfied, he leaned back, sinking deeper into the steaming water. His lips curled into a musing smile. “It will be so splendid to reunite with my daughter. Shall I bring her flowers? Fine chocolates? Jewels?”
I swallowed my unease. “I’m sure she will appreciate your every gesture and deed.” A blatant lie. I couldn’t imagine Emily’s horror at discovering the truth of her parentage.
“Will there be anything else, master?”
Balthazar waved a lazy hand, dismissing me as he rested his head against the tub’s lip again.
I bowed and backed out of the bathroom, gripping Alina’s blade tightly.
In the hall, Ginevra stood nearby, flanked by two other servants. Their conversation halted at my approach.
“Ginevra, can you take me to Balthazar’s office?”
She nodded briskly. “Certo, maestro.”
Without hesitation, she strode ahead, her keys jingling as she pulled one from the ring at her waist. She unlocked the door, stepping aside with a slight bow. “I shall lock up once you’re finished.”
“Thank you,” I said curtly, stepping inside.
The door shut behind me with a click, and I pressed my back against it, my pulse pounding in my ears.
Placing the dagger inside Balthazar’s trophy wall was not in my best interest.
I needed to get it away from him.
I lingered in his office for what I deemed appropriate before tucking the sheathed dagger into my waistband. Then, with careful composure, I exited, instructed Ginevra to lock the door, and hurried out of the house.
A fire burned within me—one that had been smoldering for too long.
I stormed into the stables, demanding a horse from the groomsman. The moment I was astride, I kicked the steed into motion, galloping through an endless sea of olive trees, its hooves striking the earth like rolling thunder.
As I neared my destination, outrage churned inside me.
Balthazar wanted me to steal the Sun Dagger. But I was done playing his sinister games. No longer would I bow to his every command. No longer would I be his pawn.
It was time to reclaim what was rightfully mine—my dignity.
I veered toward a tavern instead of heading toward Giovanni Zampa’s residence.
I needed a drink.
Slowing my horse to a trot, I rode up to the weathered building, dismounted, and tied the reins to the hitching post. Another horse stood beside mine—its presence made my pulse quicken.
Someone was waiting.
Inside, the tavern was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of stale ale and woodsmoke. My eyes adjusted to the darkness, sweeping the room until I spotted a hooded figure alone in the corner.
I crossed the room, my boots heavy against the creaking floorboards, and slid into the seat opposite him.
“I can’t do this anymore. I want out.”
The man exhaled, then pushed back his hood.
Malik.
The sight of him sent a fresh wave of exhaustion through me.
“I just can’t do this, Malik.” My voice was tight, barely above a whisper. “I’m done being your spy. I can’t keep doing this.”
Malik studied me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. “Did you retrieve the dagger from Balthazar?”
I patted my waistband. “Yes. I have it.”
A heavy breath left my chest. “I want out. I want my life back. This has gone too far. I’ve been gutted, tortured, and nearly killed. And now, just like you said, Balthazar trusts me. I did everything you asked. Now I want out. No more secrets. We tell the truth to Emily and Olivia.”
I ran a tired hand down my face.
Malik remained still, unmoving, his gaze calculating.
I swallowed hard. “You told me this wouldn’t take so long. Emily and Olivia hate me. They think I turned against them.”
My voice cracked, teetering on the edge of something bleak—something dangerously close to defeat.
“I want my life back.”
Malik nodded, his expression unreadable. “I know it’s been difficult, but I’m proud of you for staying the course. Things just got… out of control.”
I gaped at him. “Is that what you call it? Out of control? My wife despises me. She’s disgusted by what I’ve done.
I had to tell her so many lies. I had to pretend to love Dahlia.
” My voice rose, the bitterness cutting through each word.
“You didn’t see Emily’s face when she saw me with her. It broke her. It broke me.”
My insides coiled, burning with self-loathing.
But Malik was unmoved. “I understand, but you knew the plan. You were supposed to bring me both Balthazar’s and Alina’s daggers, not hers. I still need his.”
I slammed my fists onto the table, the impact rattling the glasses. “Are you insane? How the hell do you expect me to get Balthazar’s blade? Do you have any idea what that would take? He trusts me now, but I’m dead if I even look at his dagger the wrong way. This time, I won’t make it out alive!”
Malik lifted a hand, tamping the air as if I were a mere inconvenience. “Patience. We are dealing with forces far greater than you can imagine. Now, you must bring me Balthazar’s dagger.”
A chill rippled down my spine. “And how do you expect me to do that?”
“Find out where he stores it and take it.” Malik shrugged, his nonchalance sending ice through my veins. He moved to rise, pulling his hood back over his head.
I shot my hand across the table, gripping his wrist. “Wait!” My pulse hammered. “Did you know? Did you know Emily is Balthazar’s daughter?”
Malik went eerily still.
I caught the flicker in his gaze, the way his expression darkened—an unreadable mask of shadows and secrets.
A sharp breath left my lungs. “You knew! You were the one who ripped the page from the journal!”
Malik neither confirmed nor denied my accusation. “It’s better that she doesn’t know.” His voice was firm, resolute. “And you will keep it that way. She doesn’t need more pain. Neither does Olivia.”
I pulled back, disbelief curling through me. “But Balthazar knows. He’s planning to reunite with her. He was overjoyed to find out Alina gave him a child.”
Malik’s stare hardened. “Emily will not find out. And you will keep your mouth shut. Balthazar doesn’t even know what’s coming to him.”
“You don’t understand. Everything is a fucking mess! You swore to me that this plan would be simple—that Emily and Olivia wouldn’t suffer because of it. Now look at what’s happened! Balthazar will find out who I am and destroy me before I even get a chance to explain anything to Emily!”
Malik rose from his chair, looming over me, his presence like a storm cloud ready to burst. “Don’t worry.
Balthazar will not kill you. I am your ally.
I stand by your side, and I will protect you.
” His voice softened, but his eyes gleamed with something darker.
“Now listen carefully—Giovanni is dead. Raul Costa has the Sun Dagger and will be at his annual masquerade ball. Tell Balthazar to go to the masquerade. All will be well.”
My breath came hard and fast. “And what? You’ll handle everything?”
Malik smiled—a small, knowing thing. “Trust me. Everything will work out.”
I exhaled a long, unsteady breath. “Fine. If you say so, I’ll go…”
His gaze softened just a fraction. “You are a good man, Marcellious. Even the darkest monsters can change when given a woman’s love. You have done well. Once Emily and Olivia know the truth, they will be proud of you.”
I barked out a bitter laugh. “Proud? I don’t know if Emily will take me back after everything I’ve done. I am a terrible person, a monster. She will never forgive me.”
For the first time, Malik hesitated.
Then, he met my gaze with something grave—something almost… hopeful. “You should know… Emily isn’t just carrying your child. She is carrying your legacy.” His voice dropped, solemn. “No matter what happens, she will find it within herself to forgive you. I swear it.”
A lump formed in my throat.
Malik slid a folded piece of paper across the table.
“Bring me Balthazar’s dagger. Then meet me at my home.”
And just like that, he was gone.
Vanished like a ghost.
Leaving me to slump back into my chair, reeling.