Page 73 of Devoted

Dante—who spent time hiding his own secrets—seemed to be softening toward his friend, but Gabriel… there was an edge to his every word, an unbreachable wall around him that was growing higher by the hour.

But with the help of Emilia’s magic, Nico was steadier than he had been in days… I just wasn’t sure what she’d fixed. And after what I’d witnessed, Nico’s secret was something to fear.

Not just the shadows clinging to him like a second skin.

That explosion of power he’d unleashed against his father was unlike any magic I’d ever seen. Capable of destruction on a level I’d never imagined. Nico walked the dream realm as if he belonged there. He showed up in the Underworld at exactly the right time and had saved me—twice—from being dragged in. Everything was adding up to a conclusion that couldn’t possibly be correct.

When it came to Nico Draconi, my questions were outweighing the answers.

“We need to clear the air,” I urged. “Blackwood and Giovanni are the enemy, not each other. Nico left his father behind a long time ago and moved on with his life. As far as I’m concerned, Nico’s sperm donor doesn’t matter. I trust him, and so should you.”

Nico shot me a look of gratitude, but Gabriel just grunted, even my husband looking… unconvinced.

“Since we can’t destroy the Basin, let’s discuss my uncle. Giovanni has been absent from public life for over a week.” I turned to Nico, hoping to draw him into conversation or at least start him talking. “Are you sure there have been no recent sightings?”

“No sign of him today,” Valeria breezed in, blond hair twisted up into a perfect chignon, stilettos clicking on the marble floor. “In fact, council was sparsely attended. Me, Lord Blackwood, and Severin. Vincenzo didn’t show, even though we waited for over an hour. I had to fucking make small talk with Blackwood. Do you have any idea how tedious that was? He kept staring at my boobs. Like, seriously.”

Nico looked slightly ill.

“At least you survived,” Gabriel managed, sliding me a look. “A rousing success for your first day.”

“If you want to call it that. The discussion centered around establishing a wide perimeter around the Sala del Giuramento for security purposes. And the council chamber stunk. Smelled like… something old and rotten was burning.”

Dead silence followed that statement, all of us debating whether or not to loop her in.

Gabriel gave me the slightest head shake. Not yet.

“Other than the smell, did you notice anything… out of the ordinary?” I asked, remembering all those Drax on the ceiling. And that smell she described… like creosote. I’d smelled that reek last night… around Blackwood himself.

“No, just Blackwood, slithering into the Don’s chair like he already owned the place. Disgusting, and if he really thinks he can…”

Her sentence trailed off, eyes going wide as she looked past me.

Luca was outlined by the doorway, shorn hair tousled as though he’d just gotten up, some color back in his complexion. I immediately crossed to him, worry spiking until I laid the back of my hand against his forehead.

Normal.

Perfectly normal.

“Gods, you’re loud.” His familiar, lopsided grin had me scolding myself for a fool. “I came down earlier, but everyone was gone, so I got something to eat and lay back down. Must have fallen asleep waiting for you. Where did you go?”

“Emilia’s,” I said, at the same time Gabriel cut in with, “Nowhere important.”

I took a breath, scanned my brother’s face. Same dark eyes, same dimples, same mole on his right cheekbone. “You still look tired. Are you not sleeping?”

“Not great. Every time I try, I see those… things. But it’s getting better.” He stretched his arms over his head, the bottom of his shirt lifting to show off a set of toned abs. I swore Valeria let out a little moan.

Hands off, I thought viciously.

“I’m hungry again,” Luca complained, rubbing his belly. “Just thought I’d make sure your trip went okay. To Emilia’s.” He glared pointedly at Gabriel. “If you need me, you’ll find me in the kitchen.”

“I’ll come with you.” Valeria jumped to her feet, smoothing back her already-perfect hair. “I’m starving after today. If you want, I could whip up some pasta.”

“You know how to cook?”

She smiled, fangs flashing. “I know how to do a lot of things.”

Oh, for fuck’s sake.