ze wandered around the De Luca Vi, uncertain of what to do.
He had left the dungeon earlier, and the conversation with Sandro still weighed on his mind. Not only did Sandro want Arabe back in the vi, but he also aimed to use her presence as leverage to lessen ze’s intended punishment.
However, ze harbored doubts about Sandro’s sincerity. He suspected that even if Arabe returned, Sandro would still inflict severe punishment upon him. He sighed, torn between his desire to seek answers from Arabe and his wish to keep her safe. He believed she might be in Thalia’s residence or even in his house.
Nevertheless, the danger loomed whether he visited her or not. Her whereabouts were known, and it was only a matter of time before Sandro dispatched one of his Eta to retrieve her.
“Did you see my sister?” ze turned abruptly, finding Annalise standing before the grand gate.
“You shouldn’t be out here. It’s quitete, and people might get the wrong idea if they see us together,” ze muttered, his gaze drifting to the moonless sky, predicting an impending storm.
“There’s nothing going on between us,” Annalise replied. “I don’t concern myself with idle gossip. I just want assurance that my sister is safe.”
“She is,” ze affirmed. “I saw her with your father.”
Annalise wrinkled her nose in distaste. “I’m relieved she’s safe, even if she’s unhappy.”
ze knew Janice’s uneasiness. He’d glimpsed it in her eyes, along with a fierce determination. Though he couldn’t fathom her exact thoughts, he surmised she was plotting an escape, a risky endeavor in his estimation.
“Thank you,” Annalise said.
“For what?” ze locked eyes with her.
Annalise cast her gaze down, then shook her head. “You’re kind,” she murmured, though ze heard her.
“You might see me as a devil. Don’t judge me solely by my actions, Annalise. I’m far from the kind man you perceive,” ze retorted.
“You helped Janice,” Annalise argued. “You’ve helped many others, including me.”
“And I’ve taken lives, too,” ze pointed out.
“All on Alessandro’s orders, I’m sure of that,” Annalise said.
ze shrugged. Whether his actions were in Sandro’s direction or not, he saw it as his duty. He’d sworn loyalty to Sandro.
“You should head inside,” ze advised, eyeing Annalise as she wrapped her arms around herself. “You’re dressed too lightly; you’ll catch a cold.”
Annalise’s cheeks burned as she nced down at her attire. She’d only just realized what she was wearing pink denim shorts and a barely-covering tank top. She’d spotted ze from her window and hurried out, not wanting to miss him.
“I just wanted to talk to you and forgot to change into something more suitable,” she exined.
“Janice is safe. You needn’t worry about her right now.”
“Right now,” Annalise murmured, wondering about ze’s choice of words. It seemed he wasn’t inclined to say more.
She nodded and said, “Thank you, I’ll go now,” before hurrying away.
ze raised a brow as she made her way to the vi’s entrance. Annalise bumped into Sandro and stumbled back, quickly regaining her bnce and dashing inside.
ze shook his head, and Sandro approached him, chuckling.
Speaking with Sandro was thest thing ze wanted, but he knew no matter how hard he tried to evade him, he couldn’t escape.
“You have quite a few women vying for your attention,” Sandro remarked.
“I am a gentleman,” ze replied. “Why wouldn’t they?”
“No true gentleman would take what belongs to his best friend,” Sandro’s eyes narrowed.
ze sighed. “How much longer must we discuss Arabe’s choice? I never forced her to be with me, not once.”
Though ze believed he didn’t owe Sandro an exnation for his rtionship with Arabe, he wanted to provide it. He hoped it would persuade Sandro to back off. He yearned for Sandro to stop dwelling on his perceived betrayal, even if it seemed unlikely.
“Got a cigar on you?” Sandro inquired.
ze tapped his pocket, producing a box of Cohiba.
“You have a taste for the inexpensive, don’t you?” Sandro grunted, taking out a stick and lighting it. He drew a drag, closing his eyes for a moment to savor it before exhaling.Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
“You seem to prefer cheap women. I saw you with the spy sister. What were you discussing with her? nning to fuck her like you did Arabe and her sister?” Sandro narrowed his eyes at ze.
“When will this end? I’m ufortable discussing Arabe with you like this,” ze said.
Sandro rarely revisited matters. He usually allowed issues to end on their own without interfering. But when it came to Arabe, he couldn’t let go. He was hurt by what ze had done. He had trusted him, only to be betrayed. Moreover, every time he saw ze, he couldn’t help but think of them together and how Arabe seemed more receptive to ze than to him.
“I’d do anything for you to stop demeaning her in this way. And if she truly carries your child…” ze winced at the thought of it. He’d been avoiding dwelling on the idea of Arabe being pregnant with Sandro’s child. If it were true, he didn’t know what he could do about it.
“If she were indeed carrying your child, at least show her some respect. Is this how you intend to treat her?” ze asked.
“Not unless I have confirmation the child is truly mine,” Sandro replied. “All the more reason for her to be here.”
“When will you bring her to me?” Sandro pressed.
ze frowned. He had no intention of delivering Arabe to Sandro, but he needed to provide an answer. So, he said, “As soon as I locate her.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re being crafty?” Sandro questioned.
“I’m not attempting to be,” ze asserted. “You just informed me of her being seen a few hours ago. I need to make proper arrangements to apprehend her and bring her to you.”
“I’ll remember what you said,” Sandro warned. “If you try anything, it won’t go in your favor. I have a lot of eyes on you.”
Sandro passed him the cigar and then turned away himself from ze towards the Vi’s entrance.
ze sighed. He was acutely aware of the many eyes trained on him. At present, he could identify at least ten of them at present, hidden in different locations. He pondered how he could possibly reach Arabe without being intercepted by one of them.