Page 56 of Reaper’s Wrath

Evie and I exchange stunned looks. What on earth just happened?

I have no idea, but I’m going to try to find out. I jump up from the couch and hurry after him.

CHAPTER 28

ELIO

Isa’s footsteps chase me up the stairs, but I don’t stop until I’m outside the bridge. I feel like she’s fucking gaslighting me, but I know she doesn’t mean to. There’s not a deceptive bone in her body. But how the fuck could she forget about the C volume of the encyclopedia?

The one in my cabin isn’t the same, but she should have gotten the reference. Hell, my memories of those days were the only reason I’ve carted that damn book around the world and back. It’s about what it represents. The connection we had.

And she stared at me like it meant nothing.

She might as well have taken my own damn blade from my hand and gouged out a chunk of my heart. The last thing I want to do after feeling so vulnerable is talk to her, but it would seem I don’t have much choice.

I stop before I reach the door, hands on my hips, and glare at her. “What is it?”

She comes up short and licks her lips nervously. Soft, pliable lips that I’d give every penny I own to see wrapped around my cock.

Shit, man. Concentrate.

“I … uh … wanted to see if you were okay.”

I sigh and run a hand through my hair. “Yeah, everything’s fine.”

Isa frowns, clearly not convinced. “You didn’t seem fine.”

“Looks like you don’t know me very well.”

Her gaze studies the wall for a moment as she gathers her thoughts, and when she speaks again, she’s returned to a more placating, soothing tone. “You’re probably right. I’m sorry if I overstepped.”

“It’s fine, Isa,” I say on a weary breath and start to turn toward the bridge door, except she’s still standing there staring at me. “Is there something else?”

“I was wondering if you’d be willing to let me check my email. It’s been days since I was able to get online.”

“Why do you need to check your email?” It seems like an odd thing to ask for when she doesn’t work. What sort of email would she be expecting that could be so important?

“Just random things—bills or letters from friends. I don’t know unless I look.”

“If I let you check email, I have to do it with you.” Seems like a reasonable counteroffer, but a flare of frustration sparks in her eyes.

“I’ve been nothing but gracious since you took me. I’m asking this one thing,” she argues with no small degree of passion.

Her fire stokes my own. I take a challenging step toward her.

“If you think I’m controlling, it’s a good thing you didn’t marry Antonelli.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about. He was perfectly agreeable to us leading separate lives.”

“He’s a man, Isa.” Anger strengthens my voice. “We’re all possessive assholes, and he’s the very worst sort.”

She jabs a finger toward me. “Maybe you’re projecting. Maybe whatever happened to you over these past twenty years warped you until you think the worst of everyone.”

Fury draws me closer until her finger is pressed against my chest. “Maybe I’ll hand you over to your precious Mazzi so you can see firsthand how wrong you are.”

Hands going to her hips, she glares at me. “Do it,” she hisses. “I’d rather be with him right now than you.”

She has no fucking clue what she’s saying, but I’m about to enlighten her.