Page 139 of Thin Lines (Donati Bloodlines 2)

“That happened,” Calisto said, his tone coming outlike a rumble.

Emma wet her lips. “How did you find out who it was?”

“I had a meeting this morning. I was given that.”

“And then what?”

Calisto laughed deeply, his soul-black gaze flashingas he turned it on her. “What do you think?”

“I don’t know, Cal”

“I fucking killed him. I went to the restaurant hemanages, lured him into the back alley, and beat him like he did to you. Ididn’t stop hitting him until he was seizing on the ground and choking on hisown bloody vomit. Do you want to know what I did then?”

No.

“Yes,” she said instead.

“I put my hands around his throat,” Calisto said,lifting his hands high for her to see. “And I held on, watching his eyes untilthere was nothing left. I was so angry because he’d touched you—he hurt you. Heleft marks all over you, and he made you cry. I had to see him go, watch thatleave his eyes and make sure he knew why, and it was worth it.”

Oh, God.

Emma closed her eyes for a brief second, but openedthem back up just as fast.

“Do you hate me now?” Calisto asked when she stayedquiet.

“Never,” Emma whispered. “I love you too much to hateyou, Cal.”

“You shouldn’t.”

Emma stepped closer to him. “Why would you say that?”

“Because you just shouldn’t. This is never going tobe—we’re never going to be more than we are right now. If anything, we’ll be togethera hell of a lot less very soon.”

Her heart clenched painfully.

“Calisto, don’t say that,” she mumbled, wrapping anarm around her lower stomach. “I need you.”

“That’s a problem, Emmy.”

“Cal!”

Calisto ignored her shout, and stared into the mirror,his eyes seemingly deader than ever. “Do you want to know what I did after themeeting this morning?”

Emma didn’t understand how that mattered. “No, I wantto know why you would say something like that to me, after everything.”

“I met with the Irish boss this morning, and found outabout all of Affonso’s double dealings and his bullshit. Thankfully, themeeting went well, and we shouldn’t have any more issues with the Irish family.It was just another one of Affonso’s messes that I had to clean. Just like hewanted me to. Right after, I got in my car and drove across town to meet withthe men again. He’s been gone since the first week of February. It’s April,now. His men want to know where he is—why he isn’t here. They’re angry that heleft, angry with him.”

“I don’t understand,” she admitted.

“He wanted them like that; he wanted them looking tome, and partial to me,” Calisto muttered.

“So?”

“So,” Calisto drawled, dragging a bloody, wet handdown over his face, “… I sat there with them today, and did nothing as theygave Affonso exactly what he wanted, and everything that I refused him. I hadno say. He forced me into it just like he promised to do.”

“The boss’s seat,” she said, finally putting hismumbled pieces together.

Calisto nodded, staring into the mirror again. “He’sgot everything he wants from me.”