Chapter 25
The bed was a tangle of limbs and heat. Bea woke in the darkness, her body pressed between Dimitri’s chest and Killian’s massive arm draped across her waist. Nico was curled against her back, his breath warm against her shoulder.
They’d fallen asleep like this, a knot of possession and exhaustion, she needed water, or maybe she just needed a breather.
Carefully, Bea extracted herself from the pile of sleeping men. Dimitri’s arm tightened reflexively around her waist, and she froze, holding her breath. But he didn’t wake. She slipped free, grabbed one of Killian’s discarded shirts from the floor, and padded barefoot out of the room.
The compound was silent at this hour. The marble floors were cool beneath her feet as she made her way down the grand staircase and through the darkened hallways toward the kitchen.
She pushed through the swinging door and flicked on the light above the island. The industrial kitchen gleamed, all stainless steel and polished granite. Bea crossed to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water, twisting the cap and drinking deeply.
The door swung open behind her. Bea turned, her heart jumping, but it was only Isabella.
The older woman was dressed in a silk robe, her graying hair loose around her shoulders.
She looked elegant. Bea glanced at the clock, two thirty in the morning.
“Couldn’t sleep?” Isabella asked, her voice soft.
Bea shook her head. “Just thirsty.”
Isabella moved to the counter and filled the electric kettle. “Tea?”
“Sure.”
They stood in companionable silence while the kettle heated. Isabella pulled two mugs from the cabinet and dropped tea bags into each. When the water boiled, she poured carefully, the steam rising in delicate curls as she slid one mug across the island to Bea.
“How are you doing? Are my boys treating you well?” Isabella asked, her dark eyes searching her face.
Bea smiled, bright, confident, the mask she wore so well. “I’m doing great, they are great.”
Isabella studied her for a long moment. Then she set down her mug and crossed around the island. She pulled her into a hug, warm, maternal, grounding.
Bea stiffened for half a second, then relaxed into it.
When Isabella pulled back, her hands stayed on Bea’s shoulders. She leaned in close, her voice dropping to barely a whisper. “You need to be very careful with Victor.”
Bea’s breath caught.
Isabella’s gaze was fierce, her grip tightening. “I know he had something to do with my husband’s death. I’ve always known. But there was never any evidence. Nothing I could prove. He’s too smart for that.”
Bea felt her pulse spike. The air in the kitchen suddenly felt too thin.
“Isabella-”
“I’m telling you this because you’re going after him,” Isabella said quietly. “And I need you to understand what kind of man he is. He doesn’t just steal money, Beatrice. He destroys people. He’s patient and methodical he will not hesitate to eliminate anyone who threatens him.”
Bea swallowed hard. “I’ll be safe.”
Isabella’s eyes softened, but the warning remained. “Promise me.”
“I promise.”
Isabella released her shoulders and stepped back. She picked up her mug of tea and took a slow sip, her expression unreadable.
“Good, my boys will do anything to keep you safe. You’re good for them, they need someone like you.” she said simply.
Then she turned and walked out of the kitchen, leaving Bea standing alone in the too bright light.
Bea stared at the swinging door for a long moment, her mind racing.
Victor killed Dimitri’s father.
She’d suspected he was dangerous. She’d known he was a thief, a manipulator, a man willing to betray the family that trusted him.
But this was different.
This was personal.
Bea set down her water bottle and pressed her palms flat against the cool granite countertop. She closed her eyes and took a slow, steady breath.
Victor Morelli was a dead man walking. He just didn’t know it yet.
Bea slipped back into the bedroom as quietly as she’d left.
The men were still tangled together in the massive bed, their breathing deep and even. She climbed carefully over Killian’s leg and slid back into the space she’d vacated between Dimitri and Nico. The moment she settled, Dimitri stirred.
His arm came around her waist, pulling her back against his chest. His voice was rough with sleep. “Where’d you go?”
Bea turned her head slightly, her cheek brushing against his shoulder. “Just thirsty. Went to get a drink.”
Dimitri hummed, his lips brushing the back of her neck. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” The lie came easily. Too easily. “I’m good.”
He was quiet for a moment, his hand splayed possessively across her stomach.
Then Bea spoke again, her voice soft. “Can we go out to eat tomorrow? Somewhere nice?”
Dimitri smiled against her skin. She could feel the curve of his lips. “Yeah sweetheart, we can do that.”
He pulled her closer, his body warm and solid behind her. Within minutes, his breathing evened out again.
Bea stayed awake, staring into the darkness. Isabella’s warning echoing in her mind: be very careful. She would be, but careful didn’t mean she was backing down.