“Then you’ll find a different way out. He’s not going to do anything to scare people into calling the cops before he gets to you.”

“But they’re not idiots. Someone will figure out it’s a trap. Why would I be alone and just waiting for someone to kill me? That doesn’t make any sense.”

“You’d have to spread rumors that you don’t trust anyone, not even your men. Those assassins got inside your house, and for all Romeo knows, you think there’s another traitor in your midst, so you’re not going anywhere with your men until you figure it out. You could be meeting someone you trust and who might be able to get you out of the city, and the club seems like a good place for that because there will be a lot of people.”

“And what about you? They’ll assume you’re with me.”

“It doesn’t matter. Someone can say you’re keeping me in a dungeon somewhere. I’d be the first one on the list of people you wouldn’t trust.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “It’s funny, though. You want me to go to what used to be the Ezzatis’ area, and you want me to be alone while you’ll be on some rooftop taking care of my enemies... and just one mistake or a slip, and I could be dead. Convenient, huh? There might be secret Ezzati supporters somewhere in that club, don’t you think?”

The corners of his lips twitched. “And if the Ezzatis’ supporters saw me, they’d kill me for what I’ve done. I’m sure you can get out of a club full of people and find your way out even if something happens to me. I don’t want you dead. You know where my family is and you’re protecting them. And there are also other reasons.” His gaze lingered on mine.

Yeah, other reasons. Oh God. “I appreciate your confidence, but I...”

“I know how it all sounds, but if you really want to stop running and end this, you’ll have to do something dangerous. If you prefer to go to the Desaltis’ territory, you can try that and I’ll come with you. But wherever we go and whatever we do, our lives will be at risk. Another option is to move somewhere far away from here and have your men start a war with the Desaltis. If you turn out victorious, you can come back. If not, you’ll stay away and never return.”