Page 33 of Violent Delights

“I’m not a slave,” I say, meeting his gaze. “I’m a human being.”

He watches me carefully like he’s trying to see something under the surface. I keep my expression neutral because this is one of the men closest to Ignacio. If he suspects what’s going on between Nico and me, we can both be killed.

“Just be careful, Lelia.” My name sounds like a warning in his mouth.

And then he turns and walks out.

I sit there for a long time, staring at the space where he stood.

He knows something. Or hethinkshe knows.

And that’s almost worse.

It’s onlywhen I’m in my bedroom again that I think about him.

Nico has been on my mind, but I haven’t had a moment to talk to him.

My mind hasn’t properly drifted to our silent moments together.

Not until I’m alone.

And even then, I realize I think too much.

Nico is dangerous. But not in the way I’m afraid for because I know he’ll keep me safe. It’s him I’m worried about.

He’s dangerous because he makes me feel like I could bemorethan this.

More than leverage.

More than a pretty thing promised to the Boss of a violent organization with bloodied hands.

He’s dangerous because when he looks at me, I feel like I matter.

Chapter 16

Domenico

The tension in the house is building the closer we get to the wedding. But it’s not only the mansion that’s alive with electricity, I am too because I know that there aren’t many more evenings I can sneak into Lia’s room to see her. And I need a concrete plan.

It’s only a couple of days later when I hear a car pulling up to the mansion, and I don’t realize it could hold the answer to my prayers.

I see him before he sees me—crossing the gravel courtyard beside the fountain, flanked by two guards who don’t know what kind of man they’re escorting. He walks like he’s still in New York. Confident. Quick. Dangerous in the quiet way that matters.

I keep my distance.

Watch.

Assess.

Guillermo has the look of someone who’s seen too much and learned not to flinch. His eyes scan every shadow. Every corner. It’s been less than five minutes and he already knows where every exit is.

I was on my way to see Lia, to talk to her about a plan that’s been formulating in my mind since last night, but this stops me dead in my tracks. I’ve known about Guillermo since I was a kid when my father sat me down and trained me on every man in the Vitale familia. But now that he’s here, he stalks in like a hero and a protector.

He steps into the house and the air changes. He’s worked for Lia’s father for longer than I’ve been alive. He has been Lia’s bodyguard back in New York for years. Now all I can do is pray Cassio doesn’t follow this bastard.

“You must be the new guy,” he tells me, and I can see the smirk curling his lips. He’s testing me. I respect that because he’s looked after the woman who’s stolen my heart since the moment I laid my eyes on her.

This is a man I need to get on my side.

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