Page 52
The words startled her as much as him.Where had that come from?She’d grown up knowing she was nothing more than her father’s bargaining chip.That her life would be about obedience, appearances, and whatever man Enrico handed her off to.
Sal studied her for a beat, then stood, circling his desk with slow, measured steps.He sat down again, unhurried, and snagged another brownie from the plate.He bit into it, watching her with amused eyes as she stood awkwardly in front of him.
“What do you want to do?”he asked at last.
She blinked.“I…don’t know.”Shock rippled through her—because he hadn’t laughed, hadn’t waved her off, hadn’t told her to stay in her pretty cage.
“Well,” he said around another bite, his tone maddeningly casual, “when you figure it out, tell me.I’ll make sure you’re safe while you do it.”
Her lips curved into a shy smile.The idea of doing something—anything—more than standing at his side during dinner parties made her heart flutter.“Really?”
He shrugged.“Cata, if you want to spend your days getting your nails done and shopping, then do it.I don’t care.”
“You wouldn’t care if I spent all your money?”she teased, arching a brow.
He rolled his eyes.“I dare you to try.”
That pulled a genuine laugh from her, though it faltered when she realized just how much wealth Sal commanded.More than her father ever dreamed of.The thought sobered her, but only for a moment.Because under all of this…she didn’t want to be a spoiled princess.She wanted to matter.To make her life mean something.
What that “something” was, she still didn’t know.
“I’ll think about it and get back to you,” she said lightly, spinning toward the door.But she froze when her gaze landed on the rug.On her torn panties from earlier.
Her face flamed just as a knock sounded.
“Come in!”Sal called lazily, the devil.
Catarina gasped, diving down to snatch the scrap of fabric just as Tony stepped inside.His face was grim, though he gave a respectful nod when he saw the scene was—at least outwardly—innocent.
Catarina kept her head down, clutching her panties in her fist like contraband as she darted past him.She didn’t have to look back to know Sal was smirking like the arrogant bastard he was.
So she did the only thing she could think of—she spun at the doorway, lifted her free hand, and called out sweetly, “Thanks, cutie!”
She laughed with wicked delight at the way Sal instantly shoved back his chair, clearly ready to come after her.But before he could, she slammed the door shut and hurried down the hall, grinning like a fool.
Her panties were balled in her hand.Her heart was racing.And for the first time in her life, teasing a man felt like freedom.
Chapter 28
Salconsideredgoingafterhis pretty wife—he even started around the desk, already picturing the hour or two he’d spend proving to her just hownon-cutehe was.
But the way Tony rubbed the back of his neck stopped him cold.That gesture only meant one thing.Bad news.
He forced down the growl rising in his chest and turned, squaring off with his friend.His voice was clipped, dangerous.“What?”
Tony didn’t flinch at the anger.He’d been with Sal too long for that.“We’ve gotten word of several shootings along the Interstate Ninety corridor.”
“Who?”Sal snarled, arms folding tight across his chest like iron bars.
“Our sources say Bianchi himself, along with several of his soldiers.I’m waiting on confirmation.”
Sal’s jaw clenched.“How many?”
“There was a shooting in Mauston—two wounded, both expected to survive.Then another in Janesville.That’s about a ninety-minute drive from here.The victim in Janesville was pronounced dead at the scene.My trooper contact says everything points to Bianchi’s crew.”
“Any reason to think this isn’t him planting a flag?”Sal asked, his tone flat but edged with menace.
Tony hesitated, then shook his head.“None.That’s why I got the call immediately.No witnesses.No survivors, really.But it looks like Bianchi’s making a straight line for us.”
