Page 121 of Venomous Throne

Hurrying up the front steps, I was nearly knocked over as Penelope burst out the front door.

Piccolo, her faithful hound, gave me a skeptical look, daring me to make trouble.

“Hi!” I breathed. “I have so much to tell you.”

“Izzy! Hi, it’s not a good time.” Penelope looked over me at the shadow haunting my back and then turned her gaze back to mine. “I’m so sorry! I wish you’d called earlier. We could have grabbed lunch or something.”

As if I were a lady of leisure, able to enjoy the mundane things like luncheons with high society.

“Actually, I need to talk to Don Mancini. Is he home?” I took a step forward.

Penelope shifted. “He’s in a meeting.”

“Perfect. I just need a few minutes of his time,” I explained, trying to push past her.

Piccolo let out a warning growl.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to hurt your mama,” I said.

At the same time, Penelope piped up, “Alessio is busy. It’s really not a good time!”

But I darted inside.

Male voices drifted down the hall, approaching. I steeled my spine, ready to face the don. While interrupting his businesswasn’t good for mine, desperate times called for desperate measures.

Penelope yelped, lunging for me.

Piccolo barked.

Jaxon cursed.

But I took a determined step forward.

Only to stop and gape at the don’s guest, who stepped into the foyer with the don himself.

“Well, if it isn’t the little slut, come crawling back from wherever she’s been hiding,” Bonetti sneered.

Don Mancini gave me a cold look. In this game of kings, he was technically a neutral observer. The only reason he harbored me that first night, right after the attack, was that he was interested in a negotiation. My hope that he was still interested crashed hard as I gaped at him and his guest.

“I wouldn’t do that if I was you,” Mancini said, voice dripping with an icy threat.

Too late, I realized Jaxon had a gun pointed at Bonetti.

If he shot a guest of the don’s under his roof, there would be nothing I could do to save my lover.

“Jaxon,” I breathed. “Lower your weapon. Please.”

“Jaxon?” Bonetti laughed. “Is that your name?”

I frowned.

“Be a good boy and listen to your bitch,” Bonetti added.

Mancini gave him a dark look. “Watch yourself.”

“She’s a cunt!” Bonetti protested. “She isn’t worth your time.”

I felt more than saw Jaxon’s finger tighten around the trigger.