Page 123 of Salvatore

Her departure is composed, her stiff posture and rigid limbs the only signs of her internal upheaval as she walks for the sliding glass door.

“Ivy, wait.” Olivia shifts backward in her chair.

I shoot her a warning glare, one so threateningly lethal that she remains seated while Ivy continues outside to be greeted by the screech of Lorenzo’s birds.

“Well, as delightful as this has been—” I dab my cloth napkin to my mouth, then calmly place it down on the table “—I’m going to have to ask you both to pack your shit and leave. You have ten minutes to be out of here.”

Olivia’s face pales, her dumbfounded stare turning to my brother. “Is he serious?”

“We’re not going anywhere,” Remy mutters. “Not unless Ivy comes with us.”

I raise a brow, my attention remaining squared on Olivia. “Ivy isn’t leaving. She’ll do as I say for as long as I say it.”

“Why?” she begs. “What do you want from her?”

“The more important question is what does Lorenzo want, and the answer to that isn’t favorable.”

“Elaborate,” Remy demands.

I chuckle, the sound demeaning. “He wants her gone, brother. Didn’t he tell you that?”

“Gone?” Olivia’s eyes widen. “Meaning?”

I hold her stare and raise a condescending brow.

Her face leeches of color. “You’re going to kill her? Is that why you came he?—”

“I’ve organized a new identity and passport.” I return my animosity to Remy. “I’ll relocate her out of state. Maybe even abroad. Lorenzo doesn’t approve of the plan but he conceded for the sake of?—”

“But what if she refuses?” Olivia pleads.

I grind my teeth. “Brother, if she continues to talk to me as if we’re equals, I’m going to have to teach her the error of her ways.”

“They’re best fucking friends.” Remy shoves to his feet. “They’re practically sisters. How the hell do you expect her to?—”

“I don’t care if they’re fucking soulmates.” I lean back in my chair and shrug. If anything can trigger my brother into storming from the house, it’s the outright contempt he holds toward my apathy. “You’ve worn out your welcome. Pack your things and spend the night in a hotel. I’ll allow you to come back in the morning and say your goodbyes.”

“You’llallowme?” Remy balls his hands into fists and leans them against the table. “This isn’t your house.”

“Correct. But the man who owns it is one more complication away from telling his men to take Ivy’s life. So your options are—leave and spend the night indulging in whatever questionable pleasures keep the two of you entertained, or call Lorenzo to complain and be willing to take responsibility for your actions when he orders her death.”

“Oh, God.” Olivia clasps a palm to the base of her throat, her pleading gaze lifting to Remy. “What do we do?”

My brother rolls his tongue over the front of his teeth, clearly wishing he had the balls to lunge across the table and punch me in the face.

He won’t though.

He knows his place, and how it’s positioned beneath me.

“Let’s go.” Remy grabs Olivia’s seat and drags it backward.

“But what if he hurts her?” she pleads.

“He won’t.” He glares at me as he helps her to stand. “Otherwise he would’ve done it already.”

Smart man.I grin though, goading him a little more just because I’m a prick, and move to my feet. “Have a wonderful night.”

“Fuck you, Salvo.”

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