Page 51 of Devil's Game

“Like I said, you’re going to be the death of me.”

His lips were about to capture mine when the door slammed open. Panic sent an icy chill skittering over my heated skin, but before I could untangle myself, Merrick turned me, only my face visible from the door’s view.

“I’ll fucking kill whoever’s there,” he growled, tugging his shorts up as two figures walked in, their strides calm despite the threat.

The unease twisting my stomach quickly dissipated as they came into view. “It’s okay.” I giggled, tapping his shoulder to let me down. “It’s Kellan and Spade.”

Maybe they came to . . .

My smile faded as I took in their somber expressions, which was new for Spade.

“What’s wrong?” I pushed out of Merrick’s grip, and he helped me get to my feet, his gaze narrowed as he examined the other two men.

Kellan and Spade immediately closed the distance, attempting to wrap me into a hug, but I stepped away. “Tell me first.”

Spade’s hand reached for mine, and I accepted the touch, knowing he needed the contact almost as much as I did. I took Kellan’s hand, too, and leaned into Merrick as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders, reminding me that I wasn’t alone. I didn’t have to face the dire truths of the world with a brave face anymore.

Kellan’s eyes bore into mine, his thumb caressing the top of my hand, communicating that whatever he was going to say would be a blow to my chest.

“There’s been a fire.”

Chapter Fifteen

Giana

Flames filled my vision,the orange and red flickering like a destructive dance, threatening to consume everything around me.

“Giana?” Merrick’s rumbling voice echoed through my mind, but I was too far away to respond, too locked in my thoughts to break through.

Streams of water sprayed the burning structure from every angle, trying to keep the fire from spreading, but there was no hope for the building. Smoke filled my nostrils, the charred remains of the first place that had felt like home laid before me, still too engulfed in flames to be recognizable. But I knew this place like the back of my hand. I knew every inch of it like notime had passed, like I hadn’t only stepped foot inside for the first time in six years only days before.

And now it was gone.

Hands gripped me, firm fingers shaking me, but it was no use.

Was this shock?

There were no tears streaming down my face, only a bone-shattering loss clanging through my chest. I’d swear the flames were consuming me, rather than the building looming in front of me.

I shouldn’t have come. I shouldn’t have given him this power over me, but I had to see it with my own eyes, had to see if there was any way for it to be saved. There wasn’t, of course. With how old the building was, I was surprised it hadn’t already gone up in smoke.

He did this to hurt me, to break me. There was no other reason. This wasn’t a stronghold. Destroying it wouldn’t gain him anything other than the chance to watch me crumble, to break everything that I loved until nothing remained.

The piece of paper clenched between my fingers felt like a leaden weight at the reminder of Tommaso. The firefighters had handed it to us when we arrived at the scene, a mix of anger and disappointment in their eyes. Though they knew who the perpetrator was, had evidence of it, even, it would never go anywhere. Not with the fire chief and the police chief firmly in the Barones’ pocket. But they still passed it along and went to battle the blaze, just another cog in the wheel of the Barone empire.

I didn’t even need to look down at the page; the words were ingrained in my mind, his writing haunting me even now.

I’ll destroy everything you love until I’m the only thing left, mi amore.

-Tommaso

A chill ran up my spine as I read the words, some of that old fear creeping back in before I had the chance to shut it out. He would, if I let him.

But there was no point in contemplating giving in. Even if I went crawling back to him now, his ego was too bruised. He’d never let my guys live. He’d kill them in front of me, just to make sure I stayed firmly under his thumb.

I wouldn’t give up. I wouldn’t back down. Not now and not ever.

I refused to give him the satisfaction of keeping this note, letting it fester in my thoughts and heart until it poisoned my strength and resolve.

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