Page 87 of Relentless Sinner

It would all depend on whether he knew about the house in Isla del Ciervo. Even if he didn’t I imagine he may have found out easier than I did since he’s part of the family.

I was able to get those details when my men caught up with the guys Cora hired and beat the information out of them.

I learned everything else about her sister’s location today, although I’d figured out what country they were in the other week. It played on my mind so I did some digging around. I realized the name Sere referenced in the email Natasha sent Gabriella referred to the artist.

But the main clue was talking about praying with their mother. I looked at some details about their mother and saw that she spent some time in that church in Marseille when she was alive.

With the need to be extra careful these days, I found Natasha and Alessandro all on my own without getting help from the usual people I’d call on to dig for information. I felt it was best that I keep the information to myself for the moment. So I even fucking hacked into the church’s surveillance system and took the picture from the footage of them.

The car slows for traffic and I glance at Gabriella, at the perfect outline of her beautiful face. She’s gazing out the window and doing her best not to see me.

Feeling my gaze on her, she turns inward even more. She’s so tense that one more twist will make her neck snap.

The last time we were in a car together I wanted her so badly I took us into the woods, where I devoured her in the back seat. I was barely able to drive us home because as soon as I was finished with her, I wanted her again.

I ended up fucking her on the hood of the car the moment I parked in the garage. She wanted me, too. Just as much as I wanted her. Now she doesn’t even want me to look at her, much less touch her.

I know I’ve spoiled what we had but that was inevitable. We want conflicting things.

I also know she fully believes I took pleasure in watching her squirm in terror as I doled out my threat to her sister. I didn’t.

I didn’t enjoy showing her the nasty side of me and watching her stare back at me with disappointment, hurt, and regret in her eyes, knowing the feelings she had for me would turn to dust. Nor did I enjoy listening to her practically begging for her freedom and denying her.

Letting her go and knowing I’d never see her again sliced into me deeper than the loss of the empire. I know that’s saying a fuck of a lot, and I don’t know how to deal with that revelation.

I remind myself again that she was only supposed to be a contract. I always felt that I could live with an arranged marriage because it meant I didn’t have to feel anything. But all that changed the moment I met her.

The dark silence and tension grow between us with every passing second. By the time we reach home—over an hour later—the air is so thick I could cut it with a knife.

When Andrieu parks outside the house I make sure I get out first because I can see Gabriella gearing up to storm off inside. I won’t have her throw a tantrum—even a silent one—in front of the men.

I walk around to open the door for her and when she steps out she summons the filthiest look imaginable and throws it at me. Then she’s as stiff as a board when I lead her into the house.

I note the way her gaze flicks around the hallway from wall to wall when we walk in. As if she’s acknowledging she’s back in this house and that she failed.

Today was supposed to be goodbye.

Sorry that I’m not sorry, Krasota.

She says nothing to me once we reach the stairs and she continues up. I stay where I am, deciding to give her some space.

I need to speak to Eve then catch up on some work and check in with the men who are keeping eyes on Damian and the other members of my family.

I decided to travel to Italy with Cillian tomorrow. Micah and I were going to get there ahead of time to see his family. It’s not possible for me to link up with them now. I also feel that, in light of Gabriella’s thwarted escape plan, I need to be around until morning. Not because I think she’s going to try to escape again. But because I feel like my presence needs to be here.

I find Eve in the kitchen writing the grocery list. She’s standing by the island jotting down some items. When I walk in she stops and looks at me.

“Did you find her?” she asks, her eyes filling with concern. I’m not sure if the emotion is for Gabriella or for me. I know she feels sorry for Gabriella and was never a fan of this plan to force her to marry me. At the same time she feels sorry for me, too. She knows my family situation and how badly I want the empire.

“I did. She’s gone upstairs.” I walk up to the counter, rest my hands on the surface and release a haggard sigh.

“How is she?”

“Pissed with me. I guess that’s to be expected.”

She doesn’t answer or react except to press her lips together in that habitual look of displeasure. It would be unbecoming of her to do anything else regardless of being right or wrong.

Eve has worked for my family since before I was born. She was Jacob’s nanny, then she became his maid when he left home.