Chapter 273 - Massimo

I waited for Eden to make it to the kitchen before I turned back to my little brother. Saw the rage that ate at him from the inside. "You thought to strike her with a blade?" I asked softly.

He flinched, seemed to wilt in front of me.

"Answer him, Raphael," Papa barked.

Rafe jolted, swallowed. "She pissed me off."

My lip curled up at his petulant answer. "And that makes it okay? A woman under my protection. My woman. In our family home, and you thought it was a good idea?" My voice felt like nothing more than gravel in my throat as I forced myself not to kill him where he stood. I felt the faint heat of power surge through my system. The urge to break him into pieces and light them on fire.

As if everyone that had gathered in the hallway sucked in their collective breaths, I waited for his answer.

Like a kicked puppy, he couldn't look at me. He nodded without meeting my gaze.

I turned to look at Papa, raised a single brow in question.

Papa shook his head. "No, I