Chapter 19
Ethan’s voice dripped with mockery. “A few texts about your precious brother being in danger and you come running like an obedient little puppy.”
My stomach dropped. The brother story – it had been a trap. And I’d fallen for it completely.
“Seven years pretending to love you wasn’t enough entertainment.” His laugh echoed in the van. “I had to see just how far you’d go, how easily I could manipulate you one last time.”
I struggled against the bindings, tears soaking into the blindfold.
The van hit a bump, my shoulder slamming into metal. Ethan’s laughter mixed with other voices I didn’t recognize.
“Why are you doing this?” My voice cracked, fear clawing at my throat.
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“You’ll know soon enough, sweetheart.” Ethan’s voic
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his nails with a knife.
The click of expensive shoes on concrete drew my attention to the doorway. Ethan strolled in, hands in his pockets, that perfect smile I’d once loved now twisted into something cruel.
“Welcome to the party, Emma.” He spread his arms wide, laughing. “I must say, you’ve exceeded all my expectations. Seven years of blind devotion? That’s quite the
achievement.”
“Why?” I choked out through tears. “Why pretend for so long? Why make me believe in a future that was never real?”
Ethan leaned against a rusted metal pillar, loosening his tie. “Your brother hired me seven years ago. Simple job really – track you down, keep you safe, report back to him.” His lips curved into a bitter smile. “Adam was climbing the ranks fast back then. Needed someone to watch over his precious little sister while he built his empire.”
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The words hit like physical blows. Adam. Maria. Empire. My head spun as pieces clicked into horrible place.
“I was supposed to stay in the shadows, just observe from a distance. But watching Adam have everything- the power, the respect, the fear in people’s eyes when they heard his name…” Ethan’s face twisted. “I wanted to take something from him. Something he actually cared about.”
“Me.” The word barely made it past my lips.
“You made it so easy.” He pushed off the pillar, stalking closer. “One smile, one story about knowing your brother, and you fell right into my arms. Seven years of playing the perfect boyfriend while feeding Adam carefully filtered updates about his sister’s safe, happy life.”
My chest felt hollow. Every kiss, every whispered promise, every shared dream – all lies crafted from spite.
“Did you ever…” I swallowed hard. “Did any
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of it mean anything?”
“No.” His voice was ice. “You were just a way to stick it to your brother. The great Adam Thorne’s sister, wrapped around my finger, planning our wedding while he had no idea I’d turned his protection detail into my own personal game.”
A figure emerged from the shadows, the click of heels against concrete making my blood run cold. My eyes widened as Amanda sauntered into view, but gone was the demure woman I’d seen at the penthouse. Her posture radiated power, chin lifted with the confidence of someone used to being obeyed.
She dropped into the chair across from me, crossing her legs with deliberate slowness. The men around us straightened, their expressions shifting from cruel
amusement to careful deference.
“Hello, Emma.” Amanda’s red lips curved into a predatory smile. “Surprised to see me?”
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I couldn’t speak, my throat tight with shock. This wasn’t the same woman who’d been hanging off Ethan’s arm. That Amanda had seemed soft, vulnerable. This one had steel in her spine and ice in her
eyes.
Ethan’s hand settled on Amanda’s shoulder. “Allow me to properly introduce Amanda Salvatore, Queen of the Rossi family.” His words dripped with satisfaction as he watched the color drain from my face. “Your brother’s biggest rival.”
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