Page 90 of Impenitent Claim

Glass shattered, and the released pressure spewed liquid over the floor and across the cabinets.

“Thanks,” I snapped. That would have been delicious.

I jumped from the stool and knelt to mop the mess.

“You seemed so angry in the other room,” Ilya commented.

“Damn right, I’m angry.” I slashed the rag across the floor.

“What’s wrong?”

“You!” I stabbed a finger in the air and lowered my voice. “You killed the capo and his sons.”

A muscle in his jaw hardened.

“What? No comment, phantom?” I seethed. Shaking my head in disgust, I continued mopping. I dropped to my knees, and a sharp bite of pain cut through the skin.

I reared back, cursing violently in Italian. Glass protruded from my skin.

Two firm hands gripped me under the arms. I hadn’t heard the monster move. Like the predator he was, he could move his bulk silently over the space.

“Let me go,” I hissed.

“You’re hurt.”

I smacked him. “The staff will be back here any second.”

Ilya deposited me next to the sink. He reached underneath and plucked a first aid kit.

Surprise tied my tongue. He knew exactly where that was.

He opened the lid, sifting through the contents. But I pushed against his body. “You have to get out of here. If I’m discovered alone with a man, it will be bad for me!”

An angry exhale made his nostrils flare. He leaned forward until our cheeks brushed. “They were plotting to kill you, Izzy. I will never apologize for ending those who seek to harm you,” he murmured against my ear.

If I turned my head, I would brush my lips across his skin. My heart skipped a damn beat. So close, but not touching. He was a ghost, right there, right within my grasp. I very badly wanted to turn to him.

But he pulled away and disappeared a moment later.

And good thing! Cecilia sailed into the kitchen, chewing out the housekeeper as she did.

The words died on her lips as she took me in. “What happened?”

I looked at the mess on the floor and then at my knee. “I was…trying to help the staff.”

The strega flew at me, ripping the cloth away from my injury. “Careless! Stupid girl!”

Her palm cracked across my cheek.

“Zia!” Alonzo barked, appearing on the threshold.

My knight in shining armor! Guilt twisted in my heart, there was none of the fire that burned in me at his appearance. Instead, fear for his safety sprang up to gnaw at me.

“You willnothit my fiancée.” Alonzo advanced.

“She broke a bottle of our prized champagne,” Cecilia snarled.

“I asked her to serve it,” Alonzo countered, jumping to my defense.

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