Perhaps ever.
Just having her in my arms was an incredible feeling. I kissed her forehead, smiling as she murmured in her sleep. She wasn’t just my angel.
Cassidy had become my salvation.
Sighing, I stroked her arm as I listened to the sound of night creatures, wishing we could stay here for an extended period of time, but life would continue to interfere. The next few days, maybe weeks would be treacherous. Just keeping her safe could mean losing her.
Hell. I refused to think about that now.
Love.
It was different this time, more intense. I could feel it boiling my blood, keeping me on edge. I hungered for Cassidy more than ever, finding it almost impossible not to take her again. Somehow, I knew my weakness could destroy her, but there was no way I could ever lose her.
As soon as I closed my eyes, the sound of my phone not only irritated the hell out of me, but an immediate shot of concern rushed into my system. Something was wrong.
Rising out of bed, I grabbed my phone on the third ring, snarling my answer given the number was blocked. “Who is this?”
As I listened to the caller, the dark, gruff voice one I recognized, I fisted my hand.
Revenge wouldn’t only be sweet.
It would become the most destructive force anyone had ever seen.
* * *
An empire.
The Vincheti family had amassed an empire over the generations, usually comfortable in whatever situation was tossed in our direction.
Treachery.
Bloodshed.
Law enforcement.
Nothing was insurmountable.
Until this moment.
I stood in my father’s office, staring out the window at his impressive backyard, the rolling landscaping carefully maintained by a service he paid a hefty price for in order to keep everything pristine. My mother insisted on it. However, the greenery and flowers, shrubs and fruit trees did little to calm my anger.
Or my anxiety.
We’d left Italy less than two hours after the call. I closed my eyes, still able to see a vision of Cassidy’s naked body writhing under mine, the passion shared between us incredible. Yet when I’d forced her to dress without telling her anything, remaining quiet the entire flight, she’d shut down as she’d done before.
Goddamn it. I’d allowed the entire situation to get out of hand.
Niccolo had arrived not long after I stepped foot in my father’s house, my brothers Salvatore and Dominik soon after. Only my sisters and mother would be left out of the conversation and the needed decisions. This wasn’t something I wanted them to hear.
Or to worry about.
“Any word?” Dominik asked.
“Nothing since the first call,” I told him.
“The bastard is playing games,” Salvatore hissed.
That was definitely the case. This wasn’t just about a game of power any longer.