Just as I reached the bottom, I stopped. Antonio’s office door was on the other side, voices coming from the room. The door was slightly open, and I had to figure out a way to get past without anyone noticing.
Slowly, step by step, I tiptoed across the floor. The closer I came, the clearer I heard them talking.
“She deserves to know.” It sounded like Dante.
“Not a chance. She’s been through enough.”
“Mancuso is dead?” There’s that name was again.
“Yes. I killed him myself.” I heard the hate in Antonio’s voice. “There was no way I could have let the fucker live after what he’s done to her.”
To who?
“So, this is what the message on the body meant.”
Jesus. What message? And what body?
“Yes.” Antonio’s voice was low, yet hard. “But I don’t give a shit how many bodies pile up at our doorstep with fucking messages carved into them, she cannot find out about this. Do you understand me? Doe can never know the truth.”
What were they talking about? What truth?
Shit. There wasn’t time for me to figure this out now. I needed to move if I didn’t want to get caught.
I eased past the door, holding my breath, my shoulders tense. My heart was beating so damn fast, I started to feel a little lightheaded.
The second I reached the other side of Antonio’s office door, I let out a breath and darted down the hall as quickly and silently as possible. It was probably insane and stupid of me to run toward the devil I had spent my whole life trying to get rid of. But there was no question in my mind that I would risk my life for Karina. I would risk being back in hell if it meant saving anyone of the Valentis.
My feet carried me as fast as they could, my heart pounding, my pulse racing. I reached the door, but the second I opened it, it triggered an alarm. But I was so desperate to get out, I didn’t stop. I didn’t hesitate…not until I heard his voice.
“Doe.”
I didn’t turn. I couldn’t. If I had to look at his face—into his eyes—my resolve would crumble. I would crumble.
“Doe. What are you doing?”
A tear slipped down my cheek as I closed my eyes.
“Doe?”
“Don’t,” I warned. “We both knew this day would come.”
“What are you talking about?” By the sound of his voice, I knew he was moving closer. All I could do was inch forward, little by little.
I turned my head, glancing to the side. “He’s here, Antonio. He came for me.”
Silence.
I turned slightly. “It’s Vadik, Antonio. He’s here.”
“I know.”
More tears.
“I know he’s here. But you listen to me, and you listen good.” He took another step closer. “I am not letting you go. I’m not letting the fucker come near you, do you understand?”
With a heavy heart, I closed my eyes and reached for my necklace. Antonio was a strong, stubborn man. There was no way he would let me go. He would stop me, no matter the cost. It was something I couldn’t risk.
“You do what you want. You do what feels right. Do not doubt your instinct. That’s what you said. Those were your words.”