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“No.” He grabs my wrist, pulling me inside despite my struggle. The door shuts, and Charlotte’s still there, watching like it’s a damn show. “I was stuck in a deal. She was part of it. It all happened before I even got involved with you. I’m putting it all down for you.”

I wrench free, shoving him. “For me? You must have a screw loose or something. You put cameras in my house! You’re fucking crazy!”

“I had to know you were safe,” he says, voice low, eyes blazing. “I couldn’t stop myself.”

“Safe?” I laugh again, tears stinging. “You killed Theo. You fucked me over his body. And now this? Who the hell are you?”

Charlotte claps, slow and mocking. “Oh, this is priceless. You really didn’t know, did you? He’s a killer, sweetheart. A kingpin. Enjoy the ride while it lasts.”

“Get out,” he snarls at her, pointing to the door. She saunters off, tossing a wink my way. The door clicks shut, and it’s just us, the atmosphere thick with fury.

I spin on him. “Is she right? Are you in some mafia? I mean, I had my speculations but trafficking, killing people must be a regular thing for you, right?”

He stares at me, jaw tight, then nods once. “Penelope, you have to let me explain.”

My world tilts. I stumble back and hit the wall. “And me? What am I to you? A side piece? You thought fucking the dead daughter’s best friend was some kind of twisted thrill?”

“No.” He closes the gap and cages me in with his arms. His breath brushes my face, hot and desperate. “You’re everything. I’d tear my life apart for you. I already am.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me?” My voice cracks, raw and small. “Why let me find out like this?”

“Because I’m a selfish bastard.” He presses his forehead to mine, and his hands slide to my hips. “I wanted you too bad to let you run.”

I try to shove him, but he doesn’t budge. His hold tightens, possessive, and heat coils low in me despite everything.

“You don’t get to decide that,” I whisper, hating how my body leans into him.

“I know.” His lips hover over mine, a dare. “But it’s too late to change things now.”

I should slap him, scream, leave. But I don’t. I stand there, trapped in his orbit, feeling the weight of what he is, of what we are. He’s a hurricane, and I’m caught in the eye, too fucked up to care. What’s wrong with me? I still want him, still would let him touch me right now, even with her scent still lingering in the room?

I’m drowning in him, and I don’t know if I’ll ever surface. Maybe I don’t want to. Maybe that’s the worst truth of all andI’m just as twisted as he is, chasing this darkness because it feels like home.

Chapter 11

Adriano

Penelope stands there, eyes wild, like she’s ready to scratch my face off. Seeing her in my space, like that day I had her in my kitchen, makes my insides all mush. I like it too much, even when she’s storming in, all fire and hurt. She belongs here, even if she’s about to tear me apart.

Her voice shakes, barely above a whisper. “How could you hide this shit from me? Leave me to choke on it alone?”

I scrub a hand over my face, stubble biting my palm, my gut twisting. “Because I’m a fucking wreck, Pen. I couldn’t stand the thought of you bolting—not when I’ve memorized every damn inch of you.”

She surges forward, slamming her palms into me, but I snag her wrists, trapping her against me. “You don’t get to bury secrets and pretend it’s for me, Adriano!”

“I know.” I crash my forehead to hers, breath ragged, lips brushing her skin like a plea. “But I’m too far gone. Every time you’re near, I want to keep you close.”

She freezes, her eyes snapping up, wet and blazing. “You’re a killer. Some twisted bastard.”

“Fuck yes, I am.” I press into her, pinning her to the wall, voice dropping to a rough hiss. “And I’d carve my hands bloody again just to feel you breathe next to me.”

“Theo,” she gasps, shaking like a leaf. “You bashed his head in—”

“For you.” My fingers dig into her hips, frantic, like she’ll slip away if I let go. “I’d slaughter a thousand more to keep your heartbeat in my ears—I can’t fucking sleep without it.”

She stares at me, torn apart, and I see it—the moment she breaks. Her hands fist my shirt, pulling me in, and her lips crash into mine. It’s not soft, not sweet. It’s desperate, angry, all teeth and heat. Different. She knows who I am now—dangerous, fucked up—and she’s still here, kissing me like she needs it to breathe.

I groan into her mouth, hands roaming her sides. “God I’m so crazy for you baby,” I mutter against her lips.

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