Chapter 34
EMBERLINE
My lips still burning from my very first kiss, I leaned out the bedroom window, staring down at my trunks clattering off the delivery boat and up the front steps, carried by an army of servants, followed by Luca, who’d come along to make sure I hadn’t been murdered by my pillaging husband.
Maybe almost deflowered on the training room mats, but murdered… no.
Miracle of miracles, my savage of a husband had been listening after all. Eight trunks in total. Most of them heavy. Reinforced steel with custom-padded interior compartments and a complicated locking system that only I had the combination to.
Dante effortlessly heaved the first one over his shoulder as three servants struggled with the second.
He paused halfway inside, tipping his face up to make sure I was watching—the peacock. “You weren’t kidding about these being heavy.” He winked. “What did you pack, bricks?”
“Just some personal belongings,” I replied, glaring down at him with my chin cupped in my hands. “Sensible clothes plus a few dresses. Some books, since it looks like married life is shaping up to be a bore.” I yawned. “Why, is the trunk too much for your old, aching shoulders?”
His grin flashed, sharp and pleased, and warmth spread through me. “Saints, you and I are going to have such fun together.”
“Don’t count on it,” I sniped, pissed off beyond belief because all I could think of was the way I’d melted into butter when his body had been pressed against mine.
Never, ever happening again.
Not in a gazillion years.
Luca followed a healthy five paces behind my husband, shooting me an accusing look of brotherly reproach. I’m coming up, but I’m keeping my distance from your caveman husband.
Good plan, Luca. Although… Dante wasn’t half the nightmare I’d expected him to be, but to say that right now would be tantamount to admitting I actually liked the brute.
Which I didn’t.
Our motives were aligned; that was all.
Then my brother was throwing his arms around me, tears pricking my eyes as he squeezed me tight. “We’re fixing this mess, Em. Uncle is petitioning the Shadow Council to overturn the marriage; he’ll get you out of this sham, bullshit agreement and back home where you belong.”
He looked exhausted, with dark circles under his eyes, but looking me over, cataloguing everything, from my tangled mess of hair to the fact I was still in my black dress.
Luca, you need to listen to me. I have to stay. Tell Uncle Gio our plan is still a go. I’m simply married to a different brother. I can find a way to make this work.
My brother’s blistering glare narrowed until I couldn’t see his eyes at all.
“No, he shouldn’t,” I said aloud, squeezed my brother’s hand, launching into the argument I’d been practicing since last night.
“This oath… was one father made. Ending this marriage contract would break a sworn blood oath, and there is no forgiveness for that. This marriage must stand.” Two servants struggled past the open door, craning their necks to eavesdrop.
Tasked—most likely—to report every word back to Giovanni. And as much as I would like to believe my uncle hadn’t used me as a pawn, everything pointed to him only serving his own best interests.
“The players have changed, Luca, but the plan is still the same,” I spoke clearly. Dante knows who killed Father. I added the last part, so Luca would understand why I was staying. We made a pact. Once I help him regain standing in the Dynasty, I get the name of the assassin and who hired him.
And then what? His dark eyes gleamed with worry. You’re going to go and kill them all in some archaic vendetta? It’s too dangerous.
“I have to fulfill my part of the oath, Luca. Father trained me to serve the Dynasty. You needn’t worry about me,” I whispered, a second before Dante cleared his throat behind us, backed by the sound of scraping and a fair amount of swearing as the rest of my trunks were dragged in.
The master bedroom took up most of the front of the house. The bed was plain, the mattress a bit too firm, but the room was clean, and the window had a lovely view of the canal.
“You can have this room,” Dante waved his big hand around, ignoring my brother completely. “There’s a smaller one down the hall I’ll use.”
I arched a brow. “Afraid I’ll bite?” I asked, then internally groaned when Luca’s gaze whipped to me. Since when had I started joking around with the enemy? Since when had I started joking around at all?
“Nope. Too afraid of getting stabbed in my sleep.” He smiled tightly. “I’m still not convinced you won’t murder me on principle.”
“There are no guarantees in life,” I said airily, totally not ruling out murder.
“You’re godsdamned right there aren’t,” Luca muttered. “Ember shouldn’t be here with you. She should come home, where she belongs.”
“This is exactly where she belongs.” Dante set my trunk at the foot of the bed before stepping back.
“Unpack,” he ordered, studying Luca with a frown, then dismissed him entirely.
“Get your bearings. I’ll do a sweep outside, make sure Marcello hasn’t decided to plant any surprises.
I’d like to get at least one fucking good night’s sleep. ”
I kept quiet as he disappeared down the hall.
“Em, you need to come back with me,” Luca argued quietly. “What good can you possibly do here?”
I’m not walking away. I’m going to finish this. For Enzo.
And for us.
I knelt by the first trunk, pressing my thumb to the blood seal. The complicated lock system—silver, magic, and tiny carved runes—clicked open with a satisfying little pneumatic sigh.
Cold, hard steel gleamed up at me. Steel I could depend on when everything else in my life might be—probably was—a lie. Steel that was as precise as the truth I was seeking.
This is where I become part of the Dominico family, and this is how I destroy the Don.
Throwing knives, balanced and polished. A collapsible bow, its limbs etched with protective script, the grip wrapped in black leather. Vials of silver nitrate. Spare boots with blades hidden in the toes. A bundle of thin, wicked stilettos.
My entire life in neat, deadly rows.
You can’t be thinking of going after Marcello alone?
Luca dragged a chair over beside the trunk.
I know Uncle wants you to bring them down, but Em, you’re acting impulsively.
You always have a plan, and now… His dark eyes measured me up, that frown deepening.
You’re more emotional than I’ve ever seen you.
I’m not emotional. I’m focused. And I do have a plan.
“I’m worried about you, Emberline.” Luca stared out the open door, as if he expected Dante to return any moment, but only the servants straggled past, slowing down to catch every word.
I hesitated. “Go home, brother.” I cupped his cheek with a sad smile. “I’ll miss you, but this is where I belong now. With my husband.”
I should put a bullet in the brute’s head. Or stick a knife in his heart. Whichever would hurt more.
My dear, sweet brother, whose never hurt a soul, are you actually considering murder on my behalf?
Stop teasing. You know I would do anything for you.
I do. I gave him a sad smile. But killing Dante Dominico won’t fix anything now. Go home, Luca.
He rolled his eyes. “I hate leaving you here, Emberline. This place… is a shithole.”
“I’ve picked a name, actually.” I grinned. “Casa Di Merda. Sort of has a ring to it, don’t you think?” I kissed my brother on the cheek. “Goodbye, Luca. Don’t come back here again.”
Stay alert. Learn everything you can about the family business and don’t rely on Uncle so much. I paused, hoping my suspicions were wrong.
We cannot trust him, so now, it’s only you and me.