“You did that yourself when you went into that basement.” Dante offers a sinister smile, and my stomach sinks. I stop pacing and fall back into the leather chair.
My head swims with regret all over again.
I bite down on my bottom lip, using the pain and strength to refocus as I glare across at Dante. I came in here demanding answers. I’m not about to stop now. If he had any leverage to hurt me, he’d have done it already.
He can’t.
Because I’m married into the family.
A Ricci.
I jolt out of the chair and stare down at him. Towering above him makes me feel powerful, in control, and I notice a fancy blade, a dagger, on his desk. I reach for it before he has time to blink. “If Luca won’t tell me what the hell is going on, I expect you to give me answers, Father.”
“It’s father-in-law to you,” he corrects me.
With the blade poised in my hand, I circle his desk, and Dante holds up his hands as he stands, forcing me to lose my leverage.
He’s a hell of a lot taller and more intimidating when he’s standing and we’re face-to-face.
Dante grabs my wrist, yanking it upward so the tip grazes my neck. His strength overpowers me, and I’m forced to drop the hilt. The blade clanks to the floor.
His breath hits my ear, and I shiver. “Try that shit again, I dare you. Next time, I won’t be as forgiving.”
He pushes me backward.
I stumble a couple of steps, my heart pounding in my chest as I catch myself from falling.
“Sit.” Dante points at the empty leather chair.
I’d rather leave, but it seems I’ve gotten my audience. I retreat to the chair, and he stalks around the desk, towering over me.
“What is it you want to know?” He perches himself on the edge of his desk, waiting for the barrage of questions.
“Tell me everything that Luca won’t.”
Dante smirks. “We’ll be here all day, and I need to check on my son to make sure he hasn’t gotten himself killed.”
I launch up from the chair, and his hand comes to find my shoulder. “You should be seated for this.” He pauses and strokes his jaw. “On second thought. Moreno!” he shouts.
It turns out he’s standing on the opposite side of the door, waiting for Dante.
The door creaks open, and Moreno pokes his head into the office. “Yes, sir.”
“Bring me Nikki.”
Moreno shuts the door behind himself.
Dante’s eyes bore into mine. “You will have your answers, but not until I’m satisfied.”
“Satisfied?” I whisper.
What is he talking about?
A heaviness falls between us, and Nikki comes striding into the office. She glances from Dante to me, and her brow pinches. “What’s going on?”
“Harper would like answers, and as much as I’d love to entertain the idea of giving her those answers, I need you to search her. Thoroughly.”
“Excuse me?” My eyes widen, and I glance between the two of them.