I sit back, stunned.
Sin’s father didn’t just murder my father years later. That night, all those years ago, he tortured him. Carved his own name into his skin.
And I’m in love with his son.
That night, Axledoesn’t leave my side.
He follows me through the halls, presses against my legs, curls up beside me when I finally retreat to my room.For the first time since stepping foot in this house, I don’t feel completely alone.
The weight of the day settles deep in my bones as I sink into the mattress. As It turns out someone entirely separate from either family is the one who brought me Axle.
Zeik Caputo.
Sin’s lifelong friend that reminds me of a frat boy and gave me so much shit when I first met him.
Their family is like Switzerland between the Donati and Rusco rivalry, and they are safe to pass any treaty line.
Axle’s steady warmth is anchoring me.His fur is thick beneath my fingertips as I run my hands through it absentmindedly, comforted by the rhythmic rise and fall of his breathing.
The house issilent.Too big. Too unfamiliar.
But Axle is real.
And so is Sin.
I exhale shakily, rubbing my thumb against the leather of Axle’s collar.And that’s when I feel it.
Something stiff, something hidden.
A second note.
My heart pounds as I carefully lift the folded paper tucked beneath the leather, my handsshaking as I open it.
Be careful.
That’s all it says.
Two simple words.
But they send a chill down my spine.
Sin wrote this. Sin sent this.
I can almosthear his voice in my head, low and rough, weighted with warning.
Be careful.
I swallow hard, gripping the note tightly.Something isn’t right.
Something bigger is coming.
And for the first time since arriving at the Rusco estate,I feel a different kind of fear creeping in.
Not just for myself.
For Sin.
While he may have betrayed me beyond words, I still have a flutter in my aching heart for him. I see the danger he’s in. I see it in Cameron’s eyes. The longing he has to destroy the Donati empire.
