Demand - Lisa Renee Jones Page 0,7
determined to destroy him.”
“I’m protecting Giada, a young woman who called me sounding frantic and worried. And I’m protecting you, even if you don’t see it yet.” He punches a number on the phone, obviously calling her, and at this point, I have to expect the worst from Giada. But if I stop him from calling, it will only make him more suspicious. Considering I don’t know the laws of Rome, I can’t be certain what will constitute his freedom to enter the castle, which means I can’t be certain what he will do next, either.
But remarkably, Giada doesn’t seem to be answering the call, and with each passing second, I can breathe easier, while Gallo’s jaw sets a bit firmer, until finally he removes the cell from his ear. “She didn’t answer, and my concern for her safety constitutes my right to enter the castle. We’re going inside.” He doesn’t wait for my agreement, walking toward the castle, and I tell myself Matteo is watching; he’ll stop Gallo before he gets too far. But what if he doesn’t?
I start to pursue while my cell phone rings. Praying it’s Giada and I can get her to call off Gallo, I glance at the caller ID and find Kayden’s number. I stop walking and punch the “answer” button to hear Kayden say, “Why the hell are you with Gallo?”
“He was standing in the driveway, intending to stop you from leaving, and you said people die when Raul gets uneasy. Kayden, listen to me. Gallo claims Giada called him, frantic over trouble in the castle.” Gallo starts up the front steps. “And right now, he’s headed to the front door with the intent of going inside.”
“Matteo won’t let that happen.”
“He has yet to show himself.” No sooner than I say the words, Matteo steps onto the porch. “Okay, I was wrong. Matteo just headed him off at the door.”
“And the police chief is about to call Gallo.”
“Thank God,” I say, air gushing from my lungs. “He’s trying too hard to get into the house for comfort.” I shove fingers through my hair. “I can’t believe Giada did this.”
“She’s a problem I can’t ignore any longer.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be in your meeting?”
“I’m about to walk in now.” He changes the subject. “You protected me and The Underground.”
“You doubted that I would?”
“You pulled a gun on me,” he reminds me yet again.
“Because of the blood, and the necklace, and the moment.”
“I can explain the photo.”
“Good. I want you to.” I glance toward the porch again, and report, “Gallo just gave Matteo his back and took a phone call.”
“Then it’s about to be over,” he says. “I have to go now, but if you need me, really need me, call me. I’ll find a way to answer. But be sure it’s an emergency—and take Giada’s damn phone from her.”
“Happily,” I say, and the idea of hanging up and maybe never seeing him again has me grinding out, “Don’t get killed. I’m the only one who can kill you. Understand?”
“Today is not the day I die, or the day Gallo wins.”
“Promise—” The line goes dead and my stomach knots. He’s about to negotiate with a kingpin, and considering Gallo is charging toward me, I can’t even fully digest that reality. I stuff my phone back in my pocket and step forward once again, meeting him halfway.
“We need to talk,” he announces.
“Talk about what?”
“You,” he replies, “and believe me when I say that you’re going to want to hear what I have to say.” His cell phone starts to ring in his hand. He glances at the number. “I have to take this call.” He steps around me.
Turning, I am stunned to discover he’s heading toward the gate, obviously intending to leave. “Jerk,” I whisper, certain he’s just playing a game with me, taunting me, and no doubt hoping I worry and squirm.
“Ella!”
At the sound of Matteo’s voice, I turn again to find him waving me forward. Jogging toward him, I am certain of three things. One, Gallo’s not going to stop coming at Kayden until he destroys him. Two, if he keeps digging around, he’s going to get me attention from Niccolo that could get us all killed. And three, Giada, in her immature, self-centered way, helped Gallo get dangerously close to all of us.
Suddenly furious over her careless actions, my pace quickens and I climb the porch steps two at a time, Matteo backing into the foyer to allow my reentry into the castle.