Chapter 33 The Departure
Amelia
Antonio laughed dangerously, then said, "In my world, there's no difference." His grip tightened slightly on my shoulder. "Here's what's going to happen. You're going to come with me. Willingly. We'll tell Marco you requested the transfer. Jeremy will be informed when he returns that you decided you'd be safer at the estate."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then Jeremy has a very unfortunate accident in Chicago." Antonio's voice dropped to a whisper. "One phone call from me, Amelia. That's all it takes. My people are already there, watching him. If I give the order, he doesn't make it home."
"You're lying. He's your nephew—"
"He is also a rival for control of this family." And if he's going to be weak, sentimental, and distracted by a blind girl, then maybe he's not fit to be heir." Antonio released my shoulder. "But I'm a reasonable man. I don't want to kill family if I don't have to. So I'm giving you a choice. Come with me willingly, or refuse and condemn Jeremy to death."
My hands shook on my cane. "You can't—"
"I can. I will. Unless you agree to come to the mansion right now."
"To do what? Be your prisoner instead of his?"
"To be a guest. Protected. Comfortable. And yes, occasionally I asked questions about what my nephew discusses with you, what he's planning, and what his weaknesses are. Small things. Nothing that would hurt him—as long as he behaves himself."
"You want me to spy on him."
"I want you to help me keep him alive. By keeping him smart. By making sure his obsession with you doesn't compromise the Family." Antonio's voice hardened. "And you're going to do it. Because the alternative is making that phone call to Chicago right now."
"I need time to think—"
"No. You decide now." His hand gripped my arm. His grip was firm but not painful, but controlling. "Yes or no, Amelia. Come to the mansion and help me protect my nephew from himself. If you refuse, he will die by tonight.
I stood there, my mind racing.
If I refused, Jeremy died.
If I agreed, I betrayed him. Became Antonio's spy. Gave him information to use against Jeremy.
But at least Jeremy would be alive.
"If I come with you," I said slowly, "will you leave him alone?" You don't hurt him?"
"If you cooperate, I have no reason to hurt him. He can continue being heir and continue his life. I just need insurance that he doesn't become a liability."
It was a trap. It had to be. But what choice did I have?
"Okay," I whispered. "I'll come with you."
"Smart girl." Antonio released my arm. "Pack your things. We leave in ten minutes."
"Can I—can I tell Nina goodbye?"
"No. We're leaving quietly. Marco will inform the staff after we're gone." He walked to my door and opened it. "Ten minutes, Amelia. Don't make me come back for you."
The door closed.
I stood alone in my room, shaking, trying to process what had just happened.
I'd just agreed to go with a man I didn't know to spy on the man who'd protected me, all based on a threat that might not even be real.
But if it was real—if Antonio really could have Jeremy killed with one phone call—
I couldn't risk it.
I moved to my dresser and started pulling out the few clothes I had. My hands shook so badly I could barely grip the fabric.
Jeremy had asked me to stay here. To wait for him. This was to ensure my safety.
Instead, I was leaving with his uncle. The man he clearly didn't trust.
The man who'd just threatened to kill him.
'I'm sorry,' I thought, even though Jeremy couldn't hear me. I'm so sorry.
But if my actions kept him alive, it was worth it.
Even if he hated me for it later.
Even if Antonio was lying and this was all for nothing.
I had to try.
MARCO
I stood in my office, fists clenched, and watched through the window as Antonio Santoro led Amelia out the back entrance.
She looked small next to him. Fragile. Her white cane tapped uncertainly as he guided her to his car.
"Boss." Nina stood in my doorway, her face pale. "Are you really letting him take her?"
"What choice do I have? He's Antonio Santoro. Second in command of the Family."
"Jeremy's going to kill you when he finds out."
"Jeremy's in Chicago. And when he gets back, I'll explain that his uncle claimed priority. I had no authority to refuse his uncle's claim. I turned away from the window. "Get me Russo's number. Jeremy's investigator."
"Why?"
"Because someone needs to warn Jeremy what his uncle just did." I sat down heavily. "It definitely cannot be me who warns him directly, or else Antonio will find out."
Nina left. I stared at my desk, at the ledgers and receipts and at all the normal business of running a neutral bar in a city of wolves.
Amelia had been here five days. Five quiet days where she'd started to feel safe.
Now Antonio had taken her.
And when Jeremy found out—
There was going to be blood
AMELIA
The car was expensive. Leather seats. Smooth ride. Classical music is playing softly.
Antonio sat beside me in the back seat. I could feel him watching me.
"Where are we going?" I asked quietly.
"The Santoro estate. About thirty minutes from here." He shifted. "You'll have your room. Ensuite bathroom. Much nicer than Crimson."
"Another cage."
"A gilded one. Better than the alternative."
"Which is?"
"Being dead. Or watching Jeremy die. Take your pick."
I turned my face toward the window I couldn't see. "If I do this—if I spy for you—what happens when Jeremy finds out?"
"He won't. You're smarter than that."
"And if he does?"
Antonio was quiet for a moment. "Then I'll deal with it. But that's not your concern. Your concern is keeping him alive. You achieve this by assisting me in keeping him intelligent.
"By betraying him."
"By protecting him from himself." Antonio's hand patted my knee—brief, possessive. "You'll understand soon enough. Jeremy's reckless. Emotional. He needs someone to balance that. And right now, you're the perfect leverage to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."
Perfect leverage.
That's all I was to Antonio. A tool. Antonio used me as a weapon against his own nephew.
But if it kept Jeremy alive—
The car turned. The car began to climb what felt like a hill.
"We're here," Antonio said. "Welcome to your new home, Amelia."
The car stopped. A door opened.
"Come on," Antonio said, his hand on my elbow. "Let's get you settled."
I climbed out, my cane finding pavement.
I could hear water—a fountain, maybe. Gravel crunching under our feet. There was also the sound of wind rustling through the trees.
And voices. Guards, probably. Staff.
Antonio had full control over all of them.
I was in the Santoro mansion.
Jeremy's home.
Now my prison.
And somewhere in Chicago, Jeremy had no idea what had just happened.
No idea his uncle had taken me.
No idea I was about to become the weapon used against him.
I'm sorry, I thought again. I'm so sorry.
But I kept walking.
The alternative was far worse.
And I would do anything—even betray him—to keep Jeremy Santoro alive.