Page 115 of Impenitent Claim

As he scrambled to his feet, I clattered down the steps until halfway down the curve. I gripped the rail and effortlessly launched myself over. The feeling of weightlessness lasted no more than a handful of seconds as gravity pulled me downward.

I landed, stepped rapidly to brace myself, and then pulled myself straight.

The mafioso yelped and quickly retreated.

I cocked my head to the side, considering him. “Looks like the front door’s not your best option.”

Lunging forward, I unsheathed the tactical knife from my side and drew the serrated side horizontally across his chest. The vicious cut instantly began to leak down his shirt.

It was a whimper that wobbled on his lips. “Elijah! Please, I’ll pay—”

Swiping my hand through the air, but resisting the urge to cut him again, I silenced his pleas for me to stop. “I don’t want your money, and you have no power here.”

Tullio ran.

That’s more like it.I shifted my shoulders and stretched the muscles in my neck.

The Italian was finally playing the game correctly. He stopped his blubbering as he raced for a back door, trying to escape the monster stalking him. My identity was still a secret, one I would reveal right before I ended him. Relishing that sweet thought, I took a step forward. The eerie sound of creaking house and distant whispers—just the forced air, or maybe something more—filled the halls. My heart beat in time with the thudding of my feet as I followed him deeper into the mansion, past garish abstract portraits with twisted shapes that seemed to follow my every move. Flickering light from outside cast long, dancing shadows that bent and warped on the wallpaper, making the room feel alive.

Ahead, I saw him dart into a room, trying desperately to find a place to hide. He was panicked—I could almost taste his fear in the air, sharp and bitter, like copper on the back of my tongue. His breaths were loud, uneven, as he crouched behind an old armchair. But he didn’t know how loud his breathing was, or how easily it gave him away. His fear made him sloppy. I slowed my steps, letting the darkness of the hallway swallow me up as I approached, the cold, clammy air brushing against my skin like the touch of a ghost.

The tension built like a string pulled tight, ready to snap. My fingers gripped the knife blade tight as I crept closer, the surge of bloodlust heightening with every step. Most bears had five claws, and when they swiped across flesh, it made a hideous gash. Twisting my blade, I whispered forward, ready to strike. I stopped just outside the door, listening, grinning to myself. He had no idea how close I was.

The supernatural force at my back panted eagerly for me to finish this. But my vengeance wouldn’t be rushed, no matter how loudly my inner beast roared. I stepped into the room, my shadow stretching out long and jagged across the floor. The underboss gasped, trying to stay hidden, but it was too late. The hunt was over. I’d found him.

Chapter 43 – Isabella

The fist pounding against my door shattered the beautiful embrace of sleep. Groaning, I pulled myself out of bed. What fresh hell was this? It was late at night—or very early in the morning. But since I didn’t know what time it was, I couldn’t say how long I’d actually been asleep.

The voice of one of the houseguards snapped the last dregs of sleep from my mind. “Signorina, the don needs you in his office. Signorina?”

“Coming,” I gulped as I slid the bathrobe over my shoulders.

A myriad ofwhat ifsbubbled through my mind. Most began and ended with my spectre. What if they caught Ilya? Cosimo saw us together and assumed something, so what if they were questioning the Russian? Their torture techniques were practiced and highly effective. What if he cracked?

He wouldn’t betray me unless they clawed the truth from his heart!

Forgiving him for any mistake he made, I scrambled to the door. The guard didn’t offer me a clue as to what happened,walking me down the hall and escorting me right to the door of Don Aldo’s office.

“Thank you,” I managed to breathe as I pushed inside—

Where my tribunal was gathered in a semicircle to meet me.

The only pair of friendly eyes were filled with sorrow. Alonzo mouthed a single word to me, and I managed to give him a small nod. Whatever happened wasn’t his fault. Truth be told, I was sorry too. The last thing I wanted was to make him look like that.

“You little slut,” Cecilia hissed.

I faltered, catching a response on my tongue before it could dig me a deeper hole.

“What?” the strega scoffed. “Don’t you have anything to say for yourself?”

“Zia,” Alonzo pleaded. “She doesn’t know what’s happened. How could she?”

“She knowsexactlywhat happened,” the strega sneered.

“You shouldn’t listen to Fabrizi!” Alonzo jerked a thumb at Cosimo. “He’s a snake.”

“He’s the one who’s been watching her,” the aunt countered.

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