Page 56 of Bullet for My Good Girl

"Yeah, what makes you think I'd be asleep?" I reply.

"Well, you're the one missing organs and shit. I would assume you need some time to recoup." He chuckles, but I only stare at him deadpan.

"I recouped yesterday. Now it's time to get back to business." I continue to stare at him. "Where is my woman?"

His eyes jerk to the side, and I can see the tension begin to rise in his body. His shoulders pulling up towards his ears.

"She's still with Diego," he answers.

"Yeah, that's what everyone has been saying, but what I don't understand is why she's there and not here with me? What is she still doing over there? I can keep her safe now. Babbo said once the Isley family was taken care of, he wouldn't be against her being with me."

"I know." Xander shuffles from foot to foot.

My brother is one of the best killers I know. He's never had a problem doing what needs to be done for his family, but he doesn't like to be put on the spot. He can't lie worth a shit to the group of us.

"Xander, are you going to tell me what the hell is going on, or am I going to have to go all the way to the city to find out for myself?" I lean up in the bed ready to grab my clothing and shoes and get on the way.

"You're not going anywhere," Xander says from where he's standing, crossing his arms over his chest.

"You think I won't shoot you in the fucking leg just to get by you?" I reply, my eyebrows hitching up to my hairline. If he thinks just because he's my brother I won't find a way to incapacitate him, then he's sorely mistaken.

"I know you will, but how far are you going to get Vitto? You're just out of the hospital; if you run into any type of trouble or push back at all, you'll crumble. I'm not sure anyone would be able to come for you this time. Not while we're all running around dealing with this shit that Babbo has going on."

He thinks I've lost a step? I might have lost part of my liver, but nothing is going to stop me from getting my family.

"Xander, I'm not going to tell you again. Where the hell is my woman?"

"I told you where she is." He heaves out a deep breath, turning his head completely to the other side so I can't see his expression. "You might want to check your phone and messages. Maybe you'll get more information that way." He shrugs, puts my food down on a side table near the door before he walks out himself.

Check my phone? I've been checking for messages from her or Diego periodically, but I haven't gotten anything.

Following my brother's advice, I pull out my phone again and scroll through my messages. I don't see anything there. Just on a whim, I log into the forums to check on any messages regarding Stella's contract.

My heart seizes in my chest and squeezes so hard it feels like I'm about to have a heart attack. I double over and drop my phone on the bed before I can read over what else it says on the message.

It's a closure. The hit on Stella is closed. Someone produced the proof that has everyone believing that she was killed.

"No, no, no!" I grumble and pick my phone up again to go back to the post. I click on the video that is supposed to be the proof that she's really gone.

"No, please! Just wait!" I hear Stella screaming and see her flailing as someone chokes her.

It's her for sure, without a shadow of a doubt. I'd know the sound of her voice anywhere. I scan the video looking for any evidence of digital alteration, but I can't. I can see the fear in her eyes. The true fear.

This is real.

They really fucking killed her.

"No!" I roar and throw my phone against the wall.

That's why they won't give me any information. Stella was killed while in Diego's care, and they know once I find out I'm going to lose my shit.

Correction. I'm going to find Diego and kill him then lose my shit.

If they thought I was going to stay back and just let them sweep this under the rug, they're out of their mind. Whoever is responsible for this is going to pay.

I don't care how sick I am; I have vengeance to chase.

Quickly I put my feet on the floor and stand, ignoring the pain lacing through my head and midsection. Heat builds behind my eyelids, and I realize I'm about to cry.

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