Page 164 of Devoted

For the first time in weeks, I felt like the pieces were finally falling into place.

That we were working together, the way my father always counseled allies should.

She met my eyes. “Rocco might be back, but I’ve run the business in his stead for so long, I can forge his signature in my sleep. My network will carry that rumor to every corner of the city within the hour. If the reward is large enough, the information spreads itself. Thieves talk. And Giovanni has ears everywhere, which works in our favor for once.”

“Once he hears that the real Basin is still in play,” Gabriel said carefully, “he’ll have to entertain the possibility that what he’s holding is worthless.”

“The mage won’t be able to confirm the veracity of the real Basin without accessing the magic, which he cannot do without dying.” Emilia chuckled, shaking her head. “Oh, I like your plan, piccola. And as far as the decoy…” Emilia considered me with an approving expression, and a rush of pride filled me up.

“I can replicate the Basin’s magic,” she assured us. “Which wouldn’t fool me, of course, but Giovanni’s mage will only see what he wants to see. The blood will absorb, the runes will ignite, and the illusion will last for a few moments, long enough to spring the trap.”

“That takes care of Giovanni. What about Blackwood?” Dante rose, bracing his hands on the table, his attention cutting across us like a scythe.

“Blackwood has been busy here in Venice.” Severin steepled his fingers in front of him. “Which means he’s been neglecting his duties in Rome. Nothing gets a power-hungry male moving faster than someone threatening his position at home. Romulus can plant a rumor that his authority on the council is being questioned. Lucien… I expect you can plant some evidence and make it look like a real threat?”

“I even know who to target.” Lucien chuckled. “And it’ll serve the cocksucker right.”

“Rom will be discreet,” Severin noted. “He is very good at planting doubt in Blackwood’s mind, then stepping back and allowing it to grow.”

“It doesn’t hurt that the bastard’s paranoid as fuck.” Lucien grinned, as if he was really enjoying this.

And I was too, except…

Except someone I loved would be trapped there, helpless to defend himself from being used in the most heinous of ways.

“There’s something about my brother you need to know. Blackwood is using Luca’s ability to read minds. Which means anyone around him isn’t safe.” I looked directly at Emilia. “Warn Romulus, because if he’s discovered…”

Out of nowhere, a sudden, sharp ache gripped my chest as I imagined my brother alone. A pawn at the mercy of a monster. Because I had to believe my sweet brother still existed somewhere inside Blackwood’s darkness.

Luca was a fighter.

And I wasn’t writing him off.

“Agreed,” Emilia said without hesitation. “I’ll get word to Rom and tell him what to watch for. Anything else?”

“I’d say that’s enough for one morning.” Gabriel splayed his hands on the table. “Valeria spreads the rumors and offers the reward. Emilia spells the fake Basin. Romulus works on getting Blackwood back to Rome. As far as Giovanni… where are we luring him to?”

“The Isola della Cenere,” Nico suggested without hesitation. “Ash Island. The burned-out abbey is abandoned, and the catacombs will make a good hiding spot; no chance of human interference. When we spread the rumors, we will plant enough hints that Giovanni thinks he’s figured out the location all on his own. Make him feel clever.” He snorted. “And we’ll fortify the ruins beforehand, so there are no surprises like last time.”

“The rumors practically write themselves,” Valeria said. “Abandoned island. Hidden in the old catacombs. The last place anyone would ever look.”

“You’ll need to be subtle,” Severin warned gently. “Too obvious and he’ll suspect a trap.”

“Giovanni will come himself.” Emilia stroked her hand down Severin’s arm, absently, as if she wasn’t even aware she was doing it. “I’ve known him a long time. He won’t trust anyone else to retrieve such a treasure. And to verify the authenticity, he’ll bring the mage.”

“And guards,” Dante added.

“He’ll bring an army,” I corrected. “Ashbound and possibly Drax. But this time we’ll be ready.”

“All right.” Gabriel pushed to his feet, face steeled into an expression of pure resolve. “Valeria’s network starts spreading information within the hour. Emilia spells the decoy Basin, and we get it in position. Romulus plants the rumor Blackwood is under attack at council, and we get him to Rome as quickly as possible. With Luca.”

I traced my finger around the rim of my cup, not comfortable with the idea of my brother going anywhere with that monster, but it was better than him being with Giovanni right now. And Emilia seemed certain about Romulus.

“How long before your uncle responds?” Nico asked, smoothing his hand over mine, so I felt every hard, well-earned callus.

“Not long.” I watched the water sparkle through the window. “My uncle’s patience is shorter than he likes to admit, and when it comes to the Basin… he’s already lost the relic once. If he thinks he was fooled again, he’ll panic. Once the rumors start getting back to him, it won’t take him long to piece things together. Two days, at best.”

“Then we’d better get moving.” My husband rose, pulling me up beside him, giving his brother a nod of encouragement.