Page 95 of Ruthless

Even though the whole story should be shared over chips, salsa, and infinite margaritas, my brother deserves the truth. So, I give Jeremy an abridged rundown. I tell him about Dante, the kidnapping, the townhouse. By the time I finish, he’s staring up at me in disbelief. “You’ve been on the Upper East Side this entire time? And my boss is in the mafia? Are you serious?”

I give him a wincing smile and spread my hands as if to say,“Look around.”Jeremy blows out a sharp breath, his eyes darting from me to Dante. “I need to sit down for a minute.”

He slides down the wall and clutches his head in his hands, murmuring to himself. The urge to reassure him is so strong I can taste it, but I hold my tongue. He’s twenty-two now. He can handle himself.

And a sibling discount for therapy sessions won’t go amiss.

I turn to Dante. “You said we don’t have much time. So, what do we do?”

“Gregor is on his way with backup, and Luca is probably in position in the building across the street just in case we need the extra cover.” He hesitates, and it’s the only time I’ve ever seen him unsure of himself. “After that, once we get out of here, I was thinking we run.”

My heart skips a beat. He’s not just talking about running from the building. He means leaving his entire life behind and beginning anew in a place where no one recognizes our names.

Dante squares his shoulders and prepares to convince me. “This is the Council, Sara. Fleeing is the only way we get out of this alive.”

I squeeze his hand. “But your people and your business…your family.” I blink back tears. How can I let him abandon everything he’s built, everything he is, just for me? Jeremy and I don’t have the same ties, but we have one another. Dante’s different. “I don’t want you throwing your life away for me.”

I don’t want you hating me one day, once you realize all you’ve given up.

I don’t utter this aloud, but maybe he can read my thoughts because he tenderly cups my cheek. “Youaremy life. I love you, Sara. And I’m not giving you up for anything, not even the Code.”

Tears blur my vision and spill over as Dante pulls me into his chest, cradling my head. I’ve waited to hear those words for so long that even though this is the second time he’s said them, they still nearly break me. A combination of relief and joy bubbles inside me, infusing my body with so much warmth and brightness that I feel like I swallowed sunlight.

“I love you too.” The words muffle against his shirt, but his sigh tells me he heard them.

After a long, quiet moment, I pull back and wipe my cheeks with the back of my hand. Jeremy clears his throat, and I flash him an awkward smile. “What do you say, widget?” So much of his life has been out of his control already. If he goes, it’ll be his choice. “You want to try for another fresh start?”

Doubt and hesitation lurk in his eyes. He’s been happy since our return to New York and his job meanseverythingto him. Now he has to give it up? So unfair, but there must be a way to ease the loss, something?—

Dante interjects. “I built this company up from nothing. If you’re interested, maybe you can help me get my next venture off the ground.”

Jeremy jumps to his feet, his face more excited than the time he opened his first Xbox. “Are you kidding? Yeah, that would be—” His Adam’s apple bobs. “That would be great.”

Grinning, Dante pivots to me, one brow lifted high. “You heard him. Let’s get the hell out of here.”

I grasp Dante’s hand. “Thank you.”

He plants a kiss on my temple.

Keeping my hand tightly in his, Dante kicks Enzo’s gun away from his body. I grab it and slip it beneath the back of my shirt while Jeremy watches with no small amount of fascination.

“You two go up first.” Dante checks the bullets in his chamber and uses the bottom of his shirt to wipe blood from mycheek. “Head straight for my car. Don’t look at anyone or stop for anything.”

He slips his keys into my jean pocket, and my heart races with a mix of trepidation and traitorous excitement.

I’ve been through worse. If I have Dante with me, I’ll survive this too.

I have to believe that. Ihaveto because anything other than belief is a recipe for a panic attack.

Together, Jeremy and I climb up the stairs, leaving the basement behind. People still swarm the lobby. As we march toward the front door, too many heads swivel toward us.

“Don’t look at them.” Patting Jeremy’s arm, I smile as if the two of us are just having a regular conversation. “Pretend like this is any other day at the office.”

The front doors of SilverTech are tantalizingly close when a voice rings out across the lobby. “Where do you two think you’re going?”

Acute terror swallows my confidence in a single gulp, and I fumble for Jeremy’s hand. A figure hovers on the second floor, peering down at us from over the glass banister. He’s wearing a horrific mask with a long curved nose. His terrible gaze crawls over me, and I stumble backward into my brother.

This must be one of the Councilors Dante told me about.