Enzo's iron grip on her arm didn't seem to faze her; she writhed and twisted like a snake determined to escape its captor. "I demand to speak to Valentino!" she spat, her voice a mixture of desperation and arrogance. "And I'm not leaving until I see him face to face."
The moment her voice reached my ears; I froze mid-step on the staircase. It wasn't just a voice-it was her voice. Clear and unmistakable.
Rosalie.
"I wouldn't do it if I were you," Ryder's voice broke through my thoughts as he stepped into my path. He leaned casually against the banister, his eyes narrowing as he tilted his head toward the parlor where her voice echoed. "You're already in enough trouble as it is, and honestly, you don't need her making it worse."
I glanced at him, letting a faint smirk curl at the corner of my lips. "Oh, Ryder," I drawled, my voice dripping with mock sweetness. "I didn't realize you'd taken on the role of my babysitter now. How flattering."
He crossed his arms and leaned casually against the wall; his expression unreadable but tinged with the slightest hint of exasperation. "Well someone has to be. Otherwise, you'd waltz straight into a fire and then act surprised when you get burned."
I tilted my head, letting the smirk grow wider. "Well, you know what they say about fire," I quipped. "It's fun to play with... if you know how to control it." My gaze darted meaningfully to the dossier he held. "Now, did you get what I asked for, or are you just here to lecture me?"
Ryder rolled his eyes and held out the file. "Nico had it delivered earlier while you were occupied with treating Rossi," he said, his voice sharp but indifferent. "Didn't bother looking inside because, frankly, I don't care what kind of mess you're diving into this time—so long as you don't drag me into it."
I took the file from him, "Oh, big brother," I teased, flipping the file open and scanning the contents, "you were part of it the second you decided to tag along and stick your nose where it didn't belong."
Ryder let out a dry laugh, shaking his head as though he couldn't believe he was still entertaining my antics. "I feel sorry for my nephew."
