"And what are you doing in my house?" Nico's voice didn't echo. It was too flat, too deadly.
Marco didn't flinch. He didn't lower his suppressed pistol either. He simply shifted his weight, keeping his body angled slightly in front of Mara.
"Keeping your Regent breathing, Ferrante," Marco said smoothly. "You're welcome."
Nico's finger visibly tightened on the trigger of his assault rifle. "I am going to give you exactly three seconds to drop that weapon before I blow a hole through your chest."
"Do it," Marco challenged, his dark eyes locking with Nico's. "Shoot the Vitale heir in your own hallway. Let's see how many hours it takes for my father to level this entire estate to the foundation."
"Stop it!" Mara shouted.
She didn't wait for Nico to start counting. She stepped completely out from behind Marco, moving directly into the center of the ruined hallway. She planted herself right between the two men, her chest inches away from the barrel of Nico's rifle.
