Ruthless Heart

LILY

I’m havinga hard time pulling myself together as I sit in the back of the car with Nero. My side is pressed into the door, trying to keep my distance without being too obvious about it.

I knew that Nero must have done terrible things to be the man he is today, sitting on top of the Barretti crime empire. Hell, he’s threatened my life more than once since I got here. But knowing it and seeing it up close, blood and all, is different.

I don’t know what to do.

We’re driven to the docks, where a helicopter is waiting. I’ve never been in one before, but that’s the least of my concerns right now. I climb aboard in a daze and take my seat behind the pilot. Nero climbs in after me.

I still can’t look at him.

“Here,” he hands me a pair of huge headphones. “To block the sound.”

I just stare at it blankly, still replaying the agony on that man’s face.

Nero makes a noise of annoyance. He grabs the headset back and reaches to place it on my head. The unexpected contact makes me flinch. I can’t help it; I recoil from him like I’ve been stung.

Nero sees it. His jaw clenches, but he finishes positioning the earphones over my head. There’s a microphone attached, too, and a moment later, his voice comes, scratchy through the headphones over the dull roar of the blades.

“You’re judging me.”

I still don’t meet his eyes.

Nero snorts, his voice low and mocking. “What did you think my life looked like, Princess?”

He takes my jaw and turns my face to look at him dead-on. There’s no escaping the shadows in his eyes, or the bitter edge to his voice as he continues: “The Barretti empire wasn’t built on hugs and handshakes. Every day, I’m out there making choices that you could never dream about facing.” Nero’s eyes burn into me, full of loathing and fury. “You see the world in black and white, Princess, but in my world, there’s nothing so simple. Everyone is covered in dirt, and blood, and shades of grey. Everyone,” he growls. “There are no saints. And you can bet, some people deserve exactly what’s coming to them.”

I gulp. “People like that guy you were beating half to death?” I can’t help asking. “Like my dad. Like me?”

Nero releases my jaw, and shakes his head, disdain clear on his face. He turns away from me and leans forward to say something to the pilot.

A moment later, we take off.

The flurry of noise and movement is a relief, surrounding me with something other than the dread taking root in my chest.

Focus, Lily, I remind myself. Nero’s crimes won’t help me now. The only thing that matters is helping him get close enough to Ian McKenna to lock down this vote of his. I can fake smiles and hand-holding for the weekend with the Devil himself if it lifts the death sentence hanging over Teddy and me.

Once Nero has his luxury development ready to go, I’ll be free of him.

Forever.

Soon,we arrive at the lodge upstate, which is nestled in the countryside, surrounded by idyllic woods, fields, and a sparkling lake. I’m looking out at our surroundings when we arrive, and I get my first glimpse of the lodge. It’s gorgeous.

Three stories tall, it’s a log cabin-style building with a rough stone foundation, surrounded by smaller cabins dotted amongst the trees. The helicopter lands in a clearing nearby, and staff come out to get our luggage. I breath in the fresh air and notice that others are arriving in cars. I spot the McKennas emerging from one vehicle, and glance over at Nero. He’s seen them too.

“Welcome to Stonybook,” a hotel concierge greets us. “I have you in the Willow cabin, but we’re gathering in the main lodge for refreshments, if you’d like to follow me.”

We make our way into the lodge, and the stylishly rustic décor is the perfect blend of cozy and modern, with wood on the walls, a great stone fireplace, and lots of woven throws on the beat-up furniture.

I clock the décor and attitudes around us, and immediately peg it as old money: understated and fraying around the edges.

“The gentlemen are on the terrace,” the concierge advises us.

Nero gives me a look. “You going to behave?” he asks in a low voice.

I narrow my eyes. “You’re the one who needs to be on your best behavior.” I snap back. “Remember, no punching anybody’s face in. It’s not polite.”

Nero strides off, and I breathe a sigh of relief to have some space between us. But it doesn’t last long, not when I clock the other assembled wives and girlfriends, all greeting each other and sizing everyone up. We may be out in the country, but there’s still plenty of designer jewelry and glossy hair on show, mixed with polished riding boots and casual khaki pants.