“It’s time for you to do the one thing I never thought I’d ask of you,” he states, offerin
g me a smile. “Arthur doesn’t believe you can do this.” There’s something in his expression that makes my gut churn with anxiety.
“I could kill you right now and walk out of this mansion without you following me,” I threaten him, but he chuckles. I know he doesn’t believe me. I don’t even believe me, but I shove my gun into the holster. My brows furrow, and my eyes narrow.
“I’m sure you could, no doubt about that.” He nods in agreement, his gaze burning with frustration. “But there’s something I’d like you to do for me.”
“What makes you think I would do anything for you?” Crossing my arms in front of my chest, I watch him for a moment before he smiles at me as if we’ve been in each other’s lives for years. As if he knows who I am. But he doesn’t. He’s a stranger, and I won’t be played by some asshole. Someone who’s been burned by my boss, who wants to ask for favors I’m not willing to give.
He responds with a smile. “Read this.” He chucks a folder on the bed. Pointing to it, he waits for me to pick it up. When I do, I flip it open, scanning the information on the pages. The moment I see the signatures at the bottom of the agreement, I slam the folder into the wall, feeling my hand shudder with pain as the open brick cuts into my flesh.
“Like fuck you’ll get her,” I bite out. “What do I need to do?”
“Forgo your agreement with Arthur. I know what he’s planning. All you have to do is turn the tables on him, but ensure he thinks you’re about to complete your task for him. Once you’ve proven yourself, I’ll renounce the agreement for her.” He gestures to the floor, wordlessly ordering the man at the door to pick up the mess I made of the folder. Once the man hands him back the paperwork, he turns for the door, then looks at me over his shoulder again. “I wanted to make sure you’re with her for the right reasons.”
“I love her. I would do anything for her.”
“Good.” He heads out of the room but stops and turns. “Because this will be the end of your life in the Cavalieri.”
“What makes you think I won’t just kill you anyway?” I question, waiting for him to explain, but he doesn’t. “I can always agree to your terms, but I answer to Arthur. The Cavalieri are my family.”
“Maybe, but—”
“Blood is not thicker than water. Maybe I do have your DNA running through my veins, but I’m nothing like you.” My words don’t even cause him to flinch. He merely watches me for a moment before he smirks.
“All in due time, son.” He pulls the door shut, leaving me in the room, wondering just what I’m meant to do. There’ll be a choice; I know there will.
* * *
Each step closer to the dungeons beneath the house makes me anxious. I know I can’t trust this asshole, even though he’s got some signed paperwork. I doubt Arthur would play me like that again. Unless . . .
If days really have passed, I’m certain I’m walking into a trap. One set by both men. Perhaps this is what Arthur wanted all along. Me to walk right into a room where I’m killed while Giuliana watches. The man who’s leading me into the depths of the house is one of the guards I recognize. He’s watched me like a hawk, and I wonder what he wants.
“This is going to be the most difficult test you’ve ever faced,” he speaks, not looking at me but focusing on the hallway ahead of us.
“Is it something you’ve done?”
“Oh no. Arthur doesn’t hate me as much as he does you.” He chuckles. “He wants you to fail. He wants you dead.” A cold sliver of ice trickles down my spine, turning it rigid. I’m not scared. I know I’ll be able to survive this. But the moment I walk into the large space, I see her. As if I’m magnetized to the woman before me.
Giuliana Calthorpe is sitting beside her father, watching me enter the room. It reminds me of an interrogation room in a police station. But the place that should have a one-sided mirror has a window.
“He wants me to kill in front of her,” I mutter.
“Here, you’ll need this.” The burly asshole shoves a folder in my direction, and then Arthur’s voice comes over the speaker system.
“Nice to see you again, Lance. I trust your accommodations have been up to par. I realize we’re a bit late by a few days, but I thought you’d need time to prepare. Your father” — he utters the name as if it’s poison — “is a bit of a neat freak and doesn’t really like children hanging around him.”
“What game are you playing?” I ask, staring at him through the glass. I don’t look at his daughter, because I know he’s brought her here to hurt me. What he doesn’t realize is she’s not going to run at the sight of blood. Giuliana is stronger than he thinks. He’s always underestimated my girl.
“Read the information you asked for, Lance. And then we’ll get this over with.” There’s a satisfied smirk on his lips that makes me want to wipe it off with a fucking chair. But I tamper down my frustration and look away.
I open the folder, glancing at the words on the page. I notice the test results. He was right; my mother lied to me. But why would she do that? She told me she was ready to die.
“I didn’t think he’d tell you.” Her voice comes from behind me, and I pivot on my heel to meet my mother’s eyes. She’s cleaned up. Her skin isn’t as pale and shallow. She’s dressed in a black skirt and jacket with a white blouse beneath. She looks normal.
“Why did you lie?” I set the folder on the table, not looking away from her because I need to see if she’s telling me more lies.
“I wanted to die for the longest time, Lance. Arthur promised to help me,” she murmurs, stepping closer to me so I can smell her perfume. The scent takes me back to all those years ago when she used to love me, when she would come home and make me dinner.