Chapter 44
44
Victoria
I’m halfway down the hallway with the stolen burner when I hear a noise.
What is that? It’s not a doorbell, and I’m pretty sure it’s not a phone either. It sounds… I’m not even sure how to describe it, maybe like a metal door opening?
I stop so fast my bare feet squeak against the polished wood.
A second later, the security panel near the stairwell flashes once. A red blink that makes my stomach tighten.
Shit.
Somehow, I know he’s coming…
Then I hear him.
Well, I hear heavy steps, most likely from boots. But I’m sure it’s Lorenzo.
My pulse spikes because my body is stupid. I’m going to need to do something about my reactions to him.
As if he can hear my inner ramblings, Lorenzo appears at the end of the hall.
His phone is pressed to his ear, voice carrying low and sharp. “Sure.” He strolls toward the stairs without looking at me. “I’ll handle it. I’d hate for you to strain yourself by doing your job p>
He pauses at the top of the staircase, eyes flicking down to the foyer. There’s a moment of silence. I wait for him to do something, but no words come, only his lips curving up.
“Yeah,” he drawls into the phone, fingers tightening around the railing. “I’m aware it’s a problem. I’m also aware problems can stop existing.” He listens again, jaw ticking. Then, almost like the world stops spinning on its axis, a strange laugh escapes his mouth.
It’s quiet and ugly and makes a chill run down my spine.
“Don’t worry,” he adds, voice smooth. “I won’t leave a mess. I know how much you hate a mess p>
My stomach flips. I start down the hall without thinking. An idiot moth to a flame…
I deserve to be burned.
Lorenzo’s gaze snaps up and locks on me instantly.
The phone stays at his ear, but his attention changes, sharpens.
“Mmm,” he hums, eyes never leaving mine. “I’ll call you back p>
He ends the call and pockets the phone.
I stand frozen in time, waiting for him to ask me why I’m here, but he doesn’t.
His mouth twitches. He looks amused. Glad I’m here to entertain him.
He starts down the stairs, one hand sliding along the banister.
“Who were you talking to?” I ask, stopping only a few feet away from him.
Lorenzo’s gaze drifts past me, then back. “Business.” He adjusts his watch.
“That’s not an answer,” I push, stepping closer. “That’s a word people use when they don’t want to tell you the truth p>
“Not true p>
“Whatever… I get it. Whatever you’re talking about, I’m sure it’s a crime p>
A faint smile cuts across his mouth, sharp and quick. “Crime is such an ugly word.” He clicks the clasp into place. “I prefer problem-solving p>
“You’re allergic to honesty,” I shoot back, pointing toward his phone with a small, furious flick of my hand. “Let me guess, someone annoyed your uncle p>
The moment the word uncle leaves my mouth, the air goes tighter.
Lorenzo’s eyes flicker with a warning light behind them.
“Careful.” He steps into my space. “You’re not allowed to say certain names in this house p>
I hold my ground even as my pulse does something traitorous.
“Why?” I whisper, forcing the question out through my teeth. “Because secrets make you feel powerful p>
His gaze slides over my face like he’s reading my thoughts and finding them boring.
“No,” he answers, voice dropping. “Because secrets keep people alive p>
For a second, it looks like he wants to say more, but then it’s gone.
I’m about to open my mouth and say something when the front door beneath us opens.
I move closer to the railing and peer down as Rafe steps inside. He doesn’t glance up at me right away. He clocks Lorenzo first, then his gaze drifts, and he catches my gaze.
Lorenzo starts heading toward the stairs, and I trail him.
This seems important, and I want to know… curiosity killed the cat after all.
Rafe pauses beside the console table, dropping a slim folder onto it.
“Movement again.” Rafe rolls his shoulders. “And it’s not subtle p>
Lorenzo makes his way over to where he is, and I follow closely.
Rafe’s gaze flicks toward me, then his gaze finds Lorenzo again. “We need to talk p>
“Sounds good. Can’t wait to hear.” I cut in, pointing at myself dramatically. “I give great advice. It’s kind of my thing now p>
Rafe’s mouth tightens as if he’s choosing between lying and dying. Lorenzo decides for him.
“Go back upstairs,” Lorenzo orders. “Now p>
My spine stiffens. “No p>
Lorenzo’s eyes lift. The silence that follows is a blade. Each second that follows is more deadly than the last.
“You want to hear?” Lorenzo asks, voice almost gentle. He takes one step closer. “Fine. Here’s the part you get to hear p>
He turns slightly, angling his body so Rafe can still speak without appearing to speak to me.
Rafe clears his throat, voice lower. “One of our secondary routes got hit p>
Lorenzo continues to watch me even though I’m not part of the conversation. “And?” he asks.
Rafe flips the folder open, thumb pinning down a sheet as he speaks. “We traced Doyle back to a building on the outskirts of town p>
“We got eyes on it p>
“Yep p>
Lorenzo exhales slowly. “Good. I want to know everything before we attack. No surprises p>
My stomach turns, not because of the words, but because of how casually they sit in his mouth.
Rafe keeps going, voice careful. “We’ve also got the name of the guy who’s acting as the bridge between Gallagher and Doyle. If we pick him up, we can squeeze him for more details. Maybe we can find out where he lives. Hit him where it really hurts p>
Lorenzo’s gaze doesn’t leave my face. “Good. Get me everything before we act p>
Rafe’s mouth twitches like he wants to smile. “On it p>
Lorenzo’s eyes narrow slightly. “Also, once you grab him, I want to question him p>
Rafe nods once, then hesitates. “That could be a problem p>
“How so?” Lorenzo tips his head back.
Rafe gestures with the papers. “If we move on him tonight, we risk drawing attention p>
Lorenzo’s laugh is quiet. “Attention from who? Let them find out. I have zero fucks to give p>
“Good to know. And your uncle p>
At the mention of his uncle, Lorenzo’s back stiffens. I can’t figure that one out. From what I’ve heard, he loves his cousin, but for some reason, he’s scared of his uncle.
“I’ll handle it,” he answers.
Rafe nods quickly, relief flickering. “Got it p>
I step forward, anger rushing up like a wave I can’t stop. “What does that even mean p>
Lorenzo’s eyes slide back to me, expression bland. “It means you’re about to go upstairs p>
“No,” I snap, voice cracking with a fury I refuse to apologize for. “I want to know what’s going to happen. I’m sick of you hiding things p>
Lorenzo’s mouth curves. “No can do. Now go to bed p>
“No can do,” I parrot.
Rafe laughs.
Lorenzo doesn’t.
“Listen.” He lifts his finger to catch a loose strand of my hair and tucks it behind my ear. My heart rattles in my chest at how tender his touch is. “You’re not part of this p>
I slap his hand away, my palm stinging from the contact. “I’m part of whatever you dragged me into p>
His eyes flash with irritation, something darker under it. Heat?
“You’re part of what happens in this house,” he corrects, voice sharpening. “Not what happens out there p>
“Why?” I demand, breath shaking. “Because you don’t trust me? Because you think I’ll run p>
His gaze holds mine, unblinking. “Because if you know too much, you become leverage p>
My throat tightens.
Rafe clears his throat, shifting like he’s trying to remind Lorenzo there are witnesses. “We should go p>
Lorenzo’s eyes flick toward Rafe. “Get the car p>
Rafe doesn’t argue. He just turns and leaves with the brisk efficiency of a man used to taking orders.
Lorenzo pivots back to me, his expression smoothing into something colder.
“Go upstairs,” he repeats, voice quieter now. “Stay in your room p>
I plant my feet. “Make me p>
His eyes narrow, but then he smiles.
“Oh…” He leans in so close his mouth brushes the shell of my ear without quite touching. “Don’t tempt me, Little Bird. I’m trying very hard to keep you alive p>
My stomach drops.
He pulls back, gaze dragging over my face. Then he turns on his heel and heads for the door like the conversation is finished.
I stand there, breathing hard, watching him.
He pauses at the threshold, one hand on the door, and glances back over his shoulder.
“Don’t test the guards tonight. I won’t be here to stop them from being stupid p>
Then he’s gone.
The front door shuts, and I realize I’ve been holding my breath like I expected something else to happen.
I’m still standing in the foyer when I hear footsteps, then hushed voices. A maid passes with a tray in trembling hands. Her gaze meets mine for a split second, and in that glance, there’s fear so raw it makes my stomach churn. Not fear of me. Fear of him. Maybe I should be scared of Lorenzo, too.
I’m not, though, and that should be alarming.
Despite what I was ordered, I don’t go upstairs right away.
Instead, I drift through the hallways like I’m mapping the mansion.
Eventually, I find my way back upstairs, then slip back into my room and close the door quietly.
I wonder when Lorenzo will be home.
Home.
What a funny word.
This isn’t my home, yet despite being caged here, I do feel safe, so maybe it is.
Because Lorenzo is protecting me. While he’s currently planning a war, he still thinks of my safety.
I should feel scared, but ironically, I trust Lorenzo to keep me safe. And while I might want to fight him, I know that whatever is happening outside these walls…
It’s bigger than me.
And for the first time since the wedding, the fear in my chest isn’t just about what Lorenzo might do to me.
It’s about what someone might do to him.
And I hate myself for that.