Page 145 of The Hunter's Empire

"I was deciding whether poisoning would be less messy."

Laughter ripples around the table. Even Aurelia hides a smile behind her champagne glass.

I let out an exaggerated sigh. "I cannot believe I'm being bullied at a wedding."

Theo points across the table. "He started it."

"You encouraged him."

"I absolutely did."

Nico doesn't look remotely apologetic. "I think Elf suits you."

I turn to him with the sweetest smile I can manage. "Keep calling me that, and I'll make sure your obituary is beautifully written."

Theo laughs so hard he nearly spills his wine. "There she is." He gestures toward me with obvious satisfaction. "That's exactly the energy I was talking about."

The conversation gradually shifts as someone farther down the table asks Keith about the honeymoon. Everyone's attention follows the new topic, finally giving me a chance to breathe. Or so I think.

A warm touch brushes against my hand beneath the table. I glance down and see Nico's fingers have slipped between mine.

His attention never leaves the conversation, his expression perfectly composed, as though he isn't quietly undoing every coherent thought in my head.

I should pull away. Instead, I lace my fingers with his. His thumb strokes the back of my hand once, sending an entirely disproportionate warmth through my chest that no one notices.

At one point, I try to slip my hand free, but his fingers tighten just enough to stop me. I turn to look at him, only to find his attention still fixed on the conversation around the table. The only sign he's aware of me at all is the faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, and I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling back.

The rest of the evening passes in much the same way. We never speak about what happened inside my suite. We don't need to. Every so often, our eyes meet before one of us looks away, while our fingers remain quietly intertwined beneath the crisp whitelinen. Somewhere between those silent moments, I realize I've stopped feeling quite so alone.

Chapter 30

Domenico

Istand alone on one of the quiet balconies overlooking Elysian Haven early the next morning, my forearms resting against the cool stone railing as the first light of dawn stretches across the sea.

The island is almost unnaturally peaceful after yesterday's celebration. The music has faded, the laughter has disappeared, and the estate that had been overflowing with guests now sleeps beneath a blanket of silence.

The ocean below rolls lazily against the cliffs, each wave breaking with a gentle rhythm that carries through the morning air. A few seabirds circle overhead before disappearing toward the horizon, their cries swallowed by the wind.

It is the kind of morning that should feel calming. Instead, my mind is occupied by unfinished business.

I cross to the telephone on the desk and pick up the receiver, dialing a number I know by memory. It rings only once before the call connects. Neither of us speaks immediately. Silence is normal between us. We have never been men who waste words.

Finally, I break it. "Did you get what you needed?"

He doesn't answer straight away. I hear the faint rustle of papers on his end, followed by the quiet strike of a lighter.

"I did." His voice is as composed as ever. "Everything went according to plan."

I remain silent, waiting for him to continue.

"The information recovered from the Keegan's estate was more valuable than we anticipated. Several names the Keegans would very much prefer remain buried."

He pauses briefly. "It won't be long before they begin to feel the pressure."

"And?"

"The balance of power has already started shifting."