Page 145 of Auctioned Innocence
It’s time to finish this.
Time to show Lorenzo and James exactly what happens when they underestimate a Renaldi who’s done being underestimated.
But first, I have to find Sofia and make sure she’s alive.
That’s all that matters now.
32
SOFIA
Consciousness returns slowly, accompanied by a wave of nausea that has nothing to do with the blow to my head. I swallow hard, fighting down the sickness.
“Welcome back,principessa.” Lorenzo’s voice makes my skin crawl. “Comfortable?”
I test my restraints without opening my eyes. Zip ties, amateur hour. They didn’t even check my boots where Dante taught me to keep a ceramic blade.
“I’ve had better accommodations,” I say, finally looking around. We’re in the warehouse’s converted office space, all concrete and exposed pipes. James stands by the door, looking smug despite the obvious tension in his posture.
“Still so sharp-tongued.” Lorenzo circles my chair. “Even now, you can’t help but challenge authority.”
Another wave of nausea hits. I breathe through it, using the discomfort to focus. “Even now, you can’t help but monologue like a second-rate villain.”
The backhand isn’t unexpected. I roll with it, tasting blood.
“I made you what you are,” Lorenzo spits, pacing. “Everything you are?—”
“You really believe that?” I laugh, buying time as I work on the zip ties. The capture wasn’t part of my original plan, but I’d prepared contingencies for exactly this scenario. “You think this strength came from you?”
“I orchestrated everything!” He’s really angry now. Good. Angry people make mistakes. “Your kidnapping, the auction, all of it to destroy your father’s precious legacy?—”
“Into what?” The zip tie starts to give. “Your revenge fantasy? Your petty jealousy?” My stomach rolls again, but I push through. “You didn’t make me strong, Lorenzo. You just showed me exactly what I never wanted to become.”
Movement catches my eye—James shifting uncomfortably. Interesting.
“And what’s that?” Lorenzo demands.
“Someone who betrays family.” I meet James’s eyes. “Someone who hurts innocent girls to feel powerful. Someone who thinks they can control others through fear.”
I double over as nausea hits hard.
“Sofia?” Real concern colors James’s voice. Old habits die hard, I guess.
“She’s fine,” Lorenzo snaps. “Another act to?—”
I vomit on his expensive shoes.
The moment of chaos is all I need. The zip tie breaks. My hidden blade finds James’s thigh as I dive past him. His gun clatters to the floor—I grab it as I roll.
“Don’t,” I warn as Lorenzo reaches for his weapon. “Unless you want to see how good a shot I’ve become.”
“You won’t shoot me.” His smile is confident. “You don’t have it in you.”
I squeeze the trigger. Lorenzo screams, staggering back. The gunshot rings in my ears—god, why are guns always so damn loud. My hands are shaking.
“A lot has changed,” I say as he crumples, clutching the wound. “I’m not who you think I was anymore.”
James moves. I spin, but he’s not attacking. He’s…laughing?
