Page 47 of Violent Delights

My hand finds his as we tangle our fingers together and for the first time in my life, I make a choice that is mine.

“Let’s burn it down.”

I sneakaway after everyone has gone to bed and the house is silent. Down the service hallway, past the empty scullery, into the wine cellar. Nico’s waiting near the racks, leaning against the stone wall like he’s always belonged here.

When he sees me, something in his posture changes. Softens. Breaks open. He straightens and as I near him, he pulls me into his arms.

And for the first time all day, I can breathe again. Earlier in my room, I was too nervous to relax, but for now, I can.

Nico doesn’t speak. Instead, he steals my lips with his. He kisses me like he’s starving. Hands tangled in my hair, breath ragged, like he can’t believe I’m real.

“I hated watching him touch you in the gardens,” he says into my neck.

“I hated it too,” I whisper.

We sink to the floor together, tucked between old bottles and dust, and the whole world disappears. He strokes my face like I’m something fragile. Like I’m his.

“Tell me what you want,” he murmurs.

My voice is barely audible to my own ears, but when I speak, I know he hears me. “I wantyou.”

“Even if it ends badly?” This is the first time Nico has shown any doubt.

“Especially then.” I kiss him like an answer. “Have you found the intel your father wanted?” I ask him then, remembering the other reason he’s been here.

“I did. Having access to the whole house has helped, but Guillermo has offered his assistance and I can’t thank him enough for it.”

I smile and rest my head on Nico’s chest. For the rest of the night, we pretend we’re free.

But the pretending only lasts so long.

By the following morning, Ignacio is talking with the guards and the planners again.

Plans. Invitations. Guest lists. Security protocols.

I listen from the balcony above, unseen, trying to commit every word to memory.

“…we need more eyes on the perimeter,” Ignacio says. “I want more men brought in tonight, and since Cassio arrives tomorrow, we can all relax as he knows my bride better than I do. I trust him.”

That sends a chill down my spine.

Because if Cassio is that close with my cousin, Nico’s cover could fall apart.

Quickly. Violently.

I rush to find him before lunch, ducking into the guard’s quarters and pretending to be lost.

He finds me first.

“What are you doing here?” he hisses, pulling me into a storage alcove.

“They’re bringing in more men. And Cassio arrives tomorrow.” The panic in my voice is palpable.

His expression turns dark. “That’s sooner than I thought.”

“What do we do?”

He presses his hands against the wall on either side of me, caging me in. “You keep playing your role. Smile for him. Lie through your teeth.”

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