“Where did you get that?” he questioned, and I noticed that the puppy had stopped trembling.
“It’s not athat,” my jaw dropped. “It’s a Kingsley—if it’s a boy—and a Lady if it’s… well, a lady,” I answered. “It’s not like you’re allergic to it,” I scoffed. “Oh, wait. I wouldn’t know,” I softly whispered.
“You went out and stole a dog?” he questioned, and I could almost laugh.
“You’rethe only one low enough to do that here,” I forced a smile, and he stepped towards me.
Kingsley—hopefully it’s a boy—jumped up in my arms and growled at Antonio.
Antonio stopped walking—confused and surprised—and I couldn’t help but show a proud smile.
“Kingsley Milo Valentino does not seem to like you very much,” I shrugged my shoulders. “And neither do I. So, we’ll be off,” I said, and Kingsley leaned forward, growling at Antonio, and I couldn’t hide my smile. “Such a good boy,” I praised, lifting him into the air. “Do that every single time, okay?” I loudly whispered so that Antonio could hear me.
* * *
After spending days locked in my bedroom—with Kingsley—I finally took him for a walk.
I had one of Antonio’s men go out and buy some dog food, treats, and disposable mats for when he needed to do his business. Thankfully, he was already well trained and slept almost all day.
The day after I found him, I tried everything to find his owners, but I didn’t get much luck. So, I kept him. Well, at least for now.
I walked into the house, with Kingsley on a leash after a late-night walk through the city. It was just him and I. Logan followed behind me, of course.
I haven’t spoken to Rosalia since, feeling extremely betrayed yet guilty. With what I’d seen, Rosalia and Cesar both had good reason to fear Antonio and not say anything to me.
I had also called Silvia to find out more about her research on him, and it had my stomach churning.
While I lay on my bed with Kingsley, Rosalia walked into my bedroom, and I sat up. “Mr. Antonio said that he wanted you downstairs for dinner.”
“I’m not hungry. Tell him that he can eat by himself,” I said, petting Kingsley as I laid back down.
When she didn’t move, I sighed, looking over at her.
“Please, don’t make me go downstairs and tell him that,” she shakily whispered. “Please, Miss Nirah.”
“I’m not hungry, Rosalia, so why should I go and have dinner with him?”
“Because, you’ve missed the last four dinners. He is very upset, and I am afraid that this will—” she cut herself off. “Please, just have dinner with him. Ever since you isolated yourself from him, he has beenverycold. Colder than usual—Miss, he threw a glass bottle at Cesar when Cesar misheard him.”
My brows slightly knitted together as I sat up. “He what?”
“He is not happy, and I am afraid that he will start taking it out on the rest of us. Cesar endures most of it since they are always together but—”
“It’s okay. I’ll go,” I assured her, climbing off my bed. “I’m sorry that he’s taking it out on you all,” I apologized, approaching her. “I didn’t realize…”
“It’s okay. I will go downstairs and let him know you’ll be joining him then.”
And with that, she left my bedroom.Why is he doing this?
I shrugged my jacket off and started getting ready for dinner.
I headed downstairs and saw him at the entrance of the dining room with Logan and Cesar. I gave him a quick side eye before walking inside. I sat down, listening to them converse in Italian.
“You’re doing it again. It’s still disrespectful,” I said, crossing my legs as I stared ahead while they talked behind me.
“Nirah—”
“It’s also disrespectful to keep a lady waiting,” I spoke over my shoulder.
