Page 39 of Impenitent Claim

The mockery wafting off the other senior males was tangible.

“It wasn’t amusing,” the little prince said fiercely. “Most of them are badly hurt. That one looks…dead. Isabella shouldn’t have to see that.”

I hated that he defended her. That he wasallowedto defend her. It should be me. I should snap the necks of these twisted older men who’d done nothing short of put me on a gladiatorial display and then deride their queen for calling them out on it.

But Isabella wasn’t the ruler. In this patriarchal, archaic organization, their lack of respect was painfully obvious.

“And where did you find this man?” Alonzo glared at his father’s underboss.

“The last fight,” Tullio quipped with a wave of his hand. “TheBear,they call him.”

The kid took a step back. “I knew he looked familiar.”

“Elijah has done a bit of everything. Military service, big game hunting, and even some bodyguard work,” Tullio explained. “I’m going to keep this one close. See how we can use him.”

“We’ve seen he’s more than capable,” Don Aldo agreed smoothly. “But he’s…new to town.”

The underboss hummed in agreement. They thought they were so sneaky, so clever. That I was just some big dumb brute who didn’t know they were criminals. Well, let them think that. It served my purposes.

Stepping past the men, Isabella’s body vibrated with a pissed-off energy. “Be careful that your mad dog doesn’t bite you.”

That almost brought a smile to my lips.Yes, pretty one, I’ve wormed my way into your world now.

The males continued to talk once Isabella’s footsteps faded away. I wanted nothing more than to go after her, but I remained statuesque as chatter and boasting swam around me.

“Do you want something to eat? Or…drink?” The question snapped like a whip.

I looked down at the child, who’d taken a few steps in my direction. Eighteen, graduated high school this past spring, and yet he was barely as tall as the woman he’d been out here alone with. Size was a blessing or curse, not something he could control. But he was responsible for his ability to defend himself—and those around him.

“Take him inside and show him where the buffet is,” Tullio dismissed us.

“Alonzo,” the father snapped. “Tuck in your shirt, boy. Straighten your tie. We have a reputation to uphold, and you look like you’ve been in a brawl.”

The kid winced.

“I could use a bite,” I found myself saying, distracting the lad.

I wasn’t hungry, but anything to get away from the greasy men and the bodies of the victims they’d tested me with. Plus, I needed to know where my beauty was.

I followed Alonzo into the country club. My fists relaxed at my sides. The rolling in my chest dissipated. His small kindness caught me off guard.

He’s weak.

Acting like he did would get him killed. If not by me, then by any number of other threats in this world. I’d seen it more times than I cared to count.

The kindness of another man flickered through my mind. Before he’d become the pakhan of our bratva, before he had any real power, Dimitri had been kind.

But he is strong.

Despite the hell life put him through, Dimitri rose above the destruction and conquered his own empire. This kid would never do the same.

“Those look tasty,” Alonzo said, but he wasn’t speaking to me.

From my peripheral, the seed beads sewn into the embroidered flowers on her dress sparkled. I only allowed myself to look as high as her hands. There was a blue-painted plate with three tiny yellow pies sitting on it.

“Don’t you dare tell your aunt,” Isabella whispered in a conspiratorial tone.

The little fucker in front of me laughed. “Your secret’s safe with me. A pity she couldn’t make it tonight.”

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