STEFANO RUSSO'S (NERO'S) POV
Michael's sharp shout didn't make me flinch. I had expected that reaction the moment I decided to walk up to him for help to find a murderer. What I was asking for wasn't normal. It wasn't safe. It wasn't even reasonable. So the shock on his face didn't surprise me—it was the murderous heat in his eyes that did.
If Zoe weren't in this space, I had no doubt we would already be standing in a pool of blood.
I drew in a slow, steadying breath, forcing down that darker part of me that wanted to respond with equal fire. I needed Zoe calm. And I needed Michael to understand that I didn't come here to start a war.
"Yes," I said quietly but firmly. "That's why I'm here."
