Page 171 of Sinner's Obsession

“We need queens at our sides and not traitors. My wife is loyal. She almost died to give yours a way out. Your wife is loyal to no one but herself.” His jaw tics, but he can’t deny the truth of my words and I go on, needing him to wake the fuck up. “Do you think our lives will get easier, our enemies fewer? I planted a fucking chip in her and gave her the password to mine. But I did what I had to do to protect her, making her understand that if she stays, then this will be her life.” I stab a finger at the air, pointing at Chiara. “That woman will never accept the lengths you would have to go to protect her, to keep her safe. Let her fucking go.”

He stares at me with an arched brow. “Would you have let Aurora go?”

“I didn’t have to.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“I almost lost her because I wanted to keep her by force. Let her go.”

“She’s my wife. Marriage is for life.”

“Yes, but we could also make someone disappear if we want. There are loopholes, and you know it. We could fake her death and she could disappear to live her life somewhere else. I would die for you. You’re my brother. I just want what’s best for you.”

“Regardless, you better get along with Chiara, because your wife loves her and that bullet won’t change a thing,” he say, storming away.

Chiara glances from him to me, leaning on the wall, misery engraved in her puffy eyes. She storms in my direction. She’s persistent and brave. I have to give her that.

“I am sorry,” she says, surprising me. Her eyes never waver from mine, as if allowing me to see her open vulnerability. Something I’m sure this woman seldom shows. “And if I could take her place, I would, without a second thought.”

“I don’t like you.”

“It’s obvious.”

“But I love my wife.”

“Lucky me.”

With a trembling hand, she places hers on Aurora’s.

“Next time you plan to escape, do it alone.”

“I . . .”

Feeling calmer, I say, “I get it. I truly do. It’s anchored in our DNA to be free, to find our way on our own, but you are like a bird incapable of flying. Your parents clipped your wings. What you went through the last couple of days is just a small part of what this world hides. It’s ugly and dangerous.”

“I didn’t choose this.”

“Regardless, but plan better next time.”

“You really want me gone, don’t you?” A wistful expression takes over her features.

I shrug. “You don’t want to be here, so, yes, loyalty above everything else.”

“I still think you brainwashed her.”

“I don’t have to justify myself to you.”

I take a step toward her, and she cranes her neck to me. It’s her stupid bravery that has Cato so wrapped up in her. She’s a challenge, and I hope he cracks her soon and stops this cat-and-mouse game.

“If you go, you will never see my wife again.”

“You can’t stop me.”

“Still don’t get it? This is a life with a closed circle. Once you step out, that’s it.”

Our conversation is interrupted when a hiss escapes my wife’s mouth. I jerk my face to her. Her lips curl up as she sees me. Life. She resurrects me back to life with a simple smile. I bend over her and cup her face, inhaling the scent of my woman, my home. I kiss her lightly on the lips.

“Don’t you ever scare me like that again,” I stutter.

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