Page 150 of Seeking Vengeance

“Yes.” She bucks. “At least then this would have been over.”

“You would’ve been dead before you unscrewed the lid.” I release my hold, allowing her to swing around to face me, her eyes stark, her cheeks flushed.

“You said it yourself—if they kill me, you kill them, and so on and so forth. At the very least, some of them would die.”

I lean closer, glaring as our noses almost brush. “And you would’ve been the first.”

“So be it.” Moisture wells in her eyes, the liquid born of rage. “He needs to pay for what he’s done.”

“What about Stella? Do you think she deserves to lose another parent?”

She recoils, her gaze shooting daggers, each blink sending a scathing wave of hatred my way. “Did you hear him? He’s going to go after her. I know he is.”

I remain in her face, her mouth a breath away. “I’ll fucking kill him before I let anything happen to either of you. Do you understand? Love me or hate me, Layla, I’ll still keep you safe.”

She bares her teeth, vicious and pained as footsteps approach from Emmanuel’s room.

“Dante?” Abri murmurs.

I flinch at the name and glare over my shoulder to see her blocked from the hall by Bishop’s large frame.

“It might be best for her to wait in the room across the hall.” She glowers at the man guarding me as she pushes past. “You can keep the doors open. You’ll be able to see her at any time.”

“No.” Layla rasps. “I want to hear every word that motherfucker has to say.”

“And I want to get us all out of here alive,” I murmur under my breath, leaning into her, taking liberties with her personal space. “Get yourself under control,amore mio.Or I’ll do it for you.”

She squares her shoulders, her rage smoldering.

“That’s right. Keep that anger directed at me. Not him.” I press my hips into hers, our cheeks brushing as I guide my mouth to her ear. “Hateme. Loatheme. Curse my fucking name for playing you the way I did, because I will never hurt you, Layla. But he will.”

I’m so fucking tempted to kiss her. To steal a gasp and make her moan, just in case this is the last chance I get.

“Now move your ass into the other room.” I force myself to pull back, my restraint threadbare, my gaze brooking no argument as our eyes meet. “And make sure you stay there.”

She continues to glower, the only sign of fragility coming from her heavy swallow.

“I’d die for you,amore mio.” I retreat and turn for Emmanuel’s room. “But for the love of God, I’d prefer not to do it today.”

35

Layla

I remain proppedagainst the wall, humiliated at being barred from a conversation I deserve to be in.

“Stay with her,” Matthew instructs Bishop, then returns to Emmanuel’s room, leaving me to fight against crumpling to the floor.

I should’ve tried harder.

Should’ve stolen a gun and pulled the trigger without a second thought.

Maybe I would’ve died. Who’s to say I won’t anyway?

Emmanuel has it out for me. I could see it in his eyes.

He’ll go after Stella. He’ll destroy my family.

“Come on.” Abri gives me a sad smile and opens the door to the adjacent room, allowing more light to spill into the hall. “Let them talk. It’s clear you’re a weakness where my brother is concerned, and that’s the last thing he needs when facing off with our father.”

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