Matteo’s breathing is different now.
Not steady. Not smug.
Uneven.
He tries to sit upright in the chair like he still owns the room, but the blood at the corner of his mouth ruins the illusion. His eyes keep flicking between Marco and me, searching for something to grab onto.
“You won’t kill me,” he says quickly. “You need leverage.”
Marco doesn’t hesitate. “Correct.”
Matteo exhales like he’s found a lifeline.
Then Marco finishes, voice level. “We let Lacy pay first.”
The shift in Matteo is instant. Relief drains from his face. His jaw tightens. “She won’t.”
“She will,” Marco replies calmly. “You drained us. We’ll drain her.”
Matteo leans forward as much as the restraints allow. “You touch her and—”
“She’s next,” Marco says quietly.
That’s when Matteo cracks. His breathing grow
