Page 85 of Salvatore

“I know how to handle our uncle.” Salvatore looks at them with disinterest. “But Ivy doesn’t. I need a few minutes to coach her.”

The brothers and Bishop all exchange tense glances through the vehicle’s interior.

I nibble my bottom lip, waiting for the next world war of insults to reignite, seriously exhausted from the emotional whirlpool. “I promise I’ll be a quick study.”

Bishop gives me a dismissive glance and claps the car fob down on the center console. “Lock up once you’re done.” He climbs out, shuts the door, then walks for the elevator.

Remy sighs and follows.

It’s Matthew who hangs back, remaining in his seat for a silent heartbeat before finally unclasping his belt. “You need to tread carefully, brother. Don’t do something stupid.”

“Me? Stupid?” Salvatore reaches for the seat-back pocket and scrounges inside, pulling out a cell and a SIM card in a tiny plastic case. “I thought I was merely reckless and self-centered. I guess the list goes on.”

“You’re deliberately pushing Lorenzo, and it won’t end well for you.Orher.”

I tense as Salvatore ignores the conversation, placing the SIM in the cell, then turning on the device and tapping out what I assume is a text message. Either that or he’s typing a Reddit post—how does one negotiate with their mafia uncle after stealing an emancipated cartel princess?

“Don’t make me regret guiding you into the lifestyle any more than I already do.” Matthew climbs from the car, leavingme alone with a man who has received enough contempt in the last half an hour to leave most mere mortals crushed.

The three men stalk to the elevator, the doors opening as soon as the button is pressed. They continue inside, then turn to face us, all of them eying the car with varying levels of aggravation.

I’ve never really had a family. And I definitely never had a sibling who would follow me as I defied my uncle and entered enemy territory. I can’t imagine what Salvatore must be feeling.

I focus on my hands in my lap, waiting for the mixed bread basket of emotions to lessen now that we’re alone. “I’m sorry for causing trouble between you and your brothers.”

“You haven’t.”

“So it’s always this delightful?”

He doesn’t answer.Whydoesn’t he answer?

“I’m not safe here, am I?” I ask.

His chin hitches, the defensive gesture telling.

I drag in a deep breath. “How concerned should I be?”

He keeps his gaze fixed forward, staring through the driver’s seat headrest. “The concern is mine. Let me handle it.”

Right. I’m supposed to leave my life in the hands of a man I barely know and don’t understand.

I unclasp my belt and inch away, allowing myself more room to turn to face him without making leg contact. “Tell me what to expect from your uncle.”

Salvatore meets my eyes, cold, hard, and emotionless. “He’ll want you killed on sight.”

I flinch, not expecting the harsh honesty. “So I can’t go up there?”

“No.”

“But you’re obligated to bring me to him?”

“Yes,” he states simply.

What in the goddamn fuckery of unruly shit shows is this?

“I don’t understand.” The words whisper from my drying lips. “Why go to all the effort of rescuing me if you planned on bringing me to my executioner? If you wanted me dead, I can assure you Gabriel and his men were already well on their way to achieving success.”

“I don’t want you dead,” he growls. “The retrieval just didn’t go as planned. There was no way Lorenzo was going to approve us snatching Gabriel’s daughter just to appease Remy’s goddamn girlfriend—it would cause a fucking war. So we went behind my uncle’s back under the agreement we wouldn’t make waves. We’d either get in and out undetected, or we’d keep trying until we could.”

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