Antonio’s gaze narrows. “It’s up to her, Gilly. She has to make her choice. I simply get the feeling that Falco is at the top of her list. However, if she chooses another, then I will abide by her wishes. Simple as that.”

She’ll choose another. There’s no fucking way she’d ever agree to let that greaseball touch her, much less marry her. She’s Antonio’s sister, but I know her better than even he does. I’ve tasted her, felt her, dreamed of her for longer than I care to admit. She’s in my blood now, part of my soul.

A gentle knock at the door has Antonio on his feet. He pulls it open before Angelica can knock again.

“Yes, my love?” He takes her waist and kisses her.

“She’s made her first pick for a date.” Angelica grins when he finally lets her go.

Needles prick along my spine. “Who?” I almost bark the word.

She shoots me a curious look. “The talkative one. Carson Falco.”

* * *

Her room is dark, and she’s in bed, but she’s not asleep. The light from her cell phone illuminates her beautiful face as she types faster than I even thought possible. Her brow furrows in concentration and worry, and she’s so invested in whatever messages she’s getting back that she doesn’t notice me until I’m standing at the foot of her bed.

She jumps and almost drops her phone, then recovers. “What are you doing in here?”

“What’s got you scared?” I get right to the point as I walk around to stand over her.

She clutches her phone to her chest, hiding it from me.

“Is it him?” I ask and point to the phone. “Because if it is, I’m going to take that phone and smash it right here, right now.”

“Him? You mean Falco? No!” She grips her phone more tightly.

“Then who?” I sit beside her, bracing myself across her by flattening my palm to the bed beside her hip.

“None of your business.”

“The one you met the other night when you snuck out?”

“No,” she says, but she glances away when she says it. So the truth is yes. Whoever she’s texting is the person she met when she snuck out.

“You need to tell me the truth. I can’t have you sneaking out again. It’s dangerous.” I lean closer to her.

She stays quiet for a long while, then asks, “Are you saying that as my brother’s associate or as someone who cares about me?”

“Why can’t it be both?”

She stiffens and turns away.

Wrong answer.

“Carina–”

“Go tell Antonio about me sneaking out. I don’t care anymore. Just get out of my room.” Her phone pings with more incoming messages.

I lean back and take a deep breath, then let it out slowly. “You chose a date with Falco. Why?”