Page 68 of Savage Grace

He nodded, indicating that I should continue.

Rome and Antoni both shifted so they were facing me straight on, and even Theo shifted a little to watch me expectantly. I learned at that moment that I did not like this type of attention.

“You’re wrong about the Redliners,” I word-vomited.

Toni’s face fell immediately.

“Zarina.”

“Just, hear me out. Please?”

He sighed, gesturing with his hand that I should continue and leaning back in his chair. Rome’s lips were pursed too, watching me carefully like she did with anyone while she tried to discern whether or not they could be trusted.

That stung a little.

Another deep breath.

“I believe that all these incidents that have happened over the past few weeks are coming from a new group trying to gain some sort of hold over Melbourne. The Redliners are receiving the same sort of warnings, letters and?—”

Toni held up a hand to cut me off. “And how do you know this?”

“Ashe–Hennytold me.”

His jaw clicked before he shot a deathly glare at Theo. I didn’t realise until after I said the words that I had just outed the fact that Theo had failed at his job to keep me away from him.

“When?”

“I… ran into him today. While I was out to lunch.”

“Oh, what a coincidence!” Toni mock smiled at me.

“Tone, look?—”

“No. Zarina, I told you to stay away from him.”

“I know, but?—”

“No buts,” he brought a fist down on the table now that made me jump and Theo stand at attention.

Rome smacked him upside the head. “Donotspeak to your sister that way.”

Toni ran a hand down his face and let out a slow breath.

“I’m sorry,” he looked at me with softer eyes now.

“If I may, Don Antoni,” Theo stepped forward. “Perhaps Zarina is onto something about the threat coming from a third party. But I will admit that all signs seem to point to the MC.”

Toni nodded, but kept his attention on me.

“But what if that is intentional?” I tried, pleading now. “What if theywantyou to think it’s the Redliners?”

“Okay, but who would do that, Zar?”

I shrugged. “It’s just… It’s just a thought I had.”

“Did Ashe perhaps guide you towards this thought?”

It was my turn to feel the red hot anger build now. He was still looking at me with that warm, brotherly concern, but his words sliced through me in a way he probably didn’t realise.

---