Page 61 of Impenitent Claim

“That is none of your business. Go inside and slice the cake, and have the maids serve it on trays. You shouldn’t be seen carrying them. But you may pass out pieces with a smile.” Cecilia prodded me in the spine, hurrying me forward.

Anger bubbled hot and toxic in my chest. I needed to calm down before I snapped and did something I regretted. Already, the assertive tone was bordering on out of character for me.

Through the heated wrath, a prickle formed at the back of my neck. Ilya was close, and as we rounded the vehicle, I caught his form from the corner of my eye. He probably heard the entire exchange.

I clenched my jaw and hurried to escape Cecilia’s grasp.

The pressure inside threatened to crack. It was all too much. Crying hadn’t alleviated the strain. I was in desperate need of a good night’s sleep, but that was out of the question. My stalker was going to get me in trouble. Gio was in constant danger, despite my sacrifices. And the wicked witch was making my life a living hell. At least my fiancé wasn’t cruel. That might have broken me.

No, I had to bear this strain.

I can save Gio today.I would worry about tomorrow and the day after that later.

As I rushed into the house, I felt that glacial gaze following me. I pushed the weight of it back. The man haunting my nights and days would have to wait. This was bigger than him. I might not be able to spare my brother every time, but this time I could.

Once in the kitchen, I began slicing and plating the chocolate cake. The maids were scampering about, making sandwiches and bringing coffee to the soldiers filling our home. Two slices of cake came with me down the hall. Ducking into a room, I pulled off my tweed jacket. In my haste, I popped two buttons on the undershirt. But I managed to reach into the slit I cut in my bra cup. When I’d decided on this course of action, I made sure that I would always have the concoction readily available, so one evening this week, I spent most of the night sewing miniature vials of tonic into the padding of my bras.

I uncorked the twin vials, dumping the tonic on the slices and watching it soak into the fluffy, decadent goodness.

My heart beat wildly in my chest. If the chocolate wasn’t strong enough to mask the poison…. If the two victims didn’t eatenough of the cake…. If the tonic wasn’t concentrated enough, because I hadn’t had a chance to test it…. If…. If….

A long exhale left my lungs. I set my shoulders, took a final look at my handy work, and pushed into the bustling hall.

“There’s cake in the kitchen,” I called cheerily to the first group of soldiers I passed. They grinned, swiveling their heads in the direction.

Cecilia would likely pinch me if she realized I wasn’t serving this properly, but I had to deliver these pieces of cake personally. I pressed forward until I found my brother, who stood next to my fiancé.Perfect!Alonzo would be the second victim to fall sick, seemingly uncoincidental in relation to Gio’s sudden illness. If possible, I would poison two more slices of cake that would randomly be dispersed. But I had to make sure Gio ate his slice first. Making a beeline for the pair, I thrust the plates in their direction.

“It’s from my bridal shower. Take these, and I’ll get more for the men,” I panted.

Alonzo gave me a look that could only be described as fond. “You really are perfect, you know that?”

His praise, strange to hear, sent a rush of warmth through me. My future wouldn’t be so terrible with this young man, who thought the world of me. Kind of like a golden retriever.

But as I watched him eat the cake, something so cold it burned grazed over my skin. I didn’t have to turn to know the Russian fighter was there, lurking on the edge. He was no doubt scowling as he watched the exchange.

Why is he even allowed here?He was an outsider, who they knew nothing about, and it was utterly stupid to allow his participation.

“Time to suit up,” Cosimo sneered behind me. “We’re running surveillance, Gio.”

Relief rushed through me as my brother shoveled the last bite of cake into his mouth. He basically threw the plate at me and took off after Cosimo. I tried not to sigh too loudly.

“I don’t like that guy,” Alonzo said quietly.

I looked at my fiancé, following his gaze which was pinned on the underboss’s son. “Fabrizi junior?”

Alonzo hummed. “He’s the kind who would stab his grandmother and laugh.”

I took Alonzo’s empty plate and couldn’t help but feel that was the most accurate description I’d ever heard in terms of Cosimo. Just as I was about to retreat into the kitchen, my fiancé’s hand shot out and clutched my wrist. It was a quick moment of contact since he dropped his hold a moment later.

“Kiss me for good luck?” Hope shimmered in his eyes.

“Wait, you’re going too?” I breathed.

Alonzo nodded. “My aunt thinks I spend too much time secluded. It looks bad.”

Remembering the conversation from the drive here, unease shivered through me. That was an unforeseen development. To my knowledge, Alonzo hadn’t seen much active duty. He hadn’t gone the other night. In fact, his father kept him out of the field and out of meetings. Why would he be allowed to go today? I wanted to ask him what had changed, why he was suddenly going out to the streets with the other soldiers. But he continued to look at me expectantly.

The kiss.

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