Page 27 of Kiss of Ruin (Brutal Empire)

It takes a lot of guts to attack someone and toss their body at the store of their boss, even for a mafia family. The ambulance is long gone before the police. Isabel escorts them to the door.

“Thank you for coming. I’m going to close for the day and go home.”

The police officer tips his cap. “I think that’s the best idea ma’am. If we learn anything new or have any questions, we’ll be in touch.”

“Thank you, officers.” She smiles as they walk out the door, then locks it behind them.

“Miguel, what is going on?”

Miguel shakes his head. “I’m not sure, Isabel, but I’m going to get to the bottom of it.”

“While I appreciate that. I need you to keep Scarlett safe. Right now, that’s what we need from you. Pedro will send someone to check things out.”

“I thought you gave the police the security footage?” Sofia says, her arms are wrapped tightly around her waist. Her exposure to the things Isabel, Miguel, and I have seen is minimal.

“Not all of it. I only gave them a copy of the twenty minutes before we heard the crash. They do not need to know who is coming in and out of my store any other time.” Isabel collects Sofia’s items from the floor and puts them in a bag. “Miguel, I want you to take Sofia and Scarlett back to the house. I’ll be right behind you in my car.”

“Isabel,” Miguel begins to argue.

She shakes her head. “I’ll be fine. My car is right out front. You can wait and watch me get in, but I need you to get Scarlett back to the house. I’ll call Pedro on the way back and give him an update.”

I collect my things from the dressing room. “I’m ready.”

Isabel is right, we need to get back to the house. The security that can be provided in a store isn’t the same that Carlos and Andreas have on the houses. I stuff the dress I arrived in into a bag and follow Isabel and Miguel out.

Miguel gets Sofia and I into the car while Isabel punches the code into the outside panel to lock up the store. He watches her as she walks to her car, but doesn’t climb into the driver’s seat until she’s safely behind the wheel and the door is shut. Miguel pulls out into traffic, Isabel follows closely behind.

When I look over, I notice that Sofia is trembling in her seat. I lift my arm, putting it around her shoulder, bringing her into my side. “It’s all right, Sofia. You’re okay.”

“I…I…I know this kind of thing…happens all the time. I’m not used to it happening right in front of me. I’ve always been on the outside looking in.”

“Sometimes that’s the best place to be. Close your eyes and relax.”

I glance up and meet Miguel’s eyes in the rear-view mirror.She’ll be okayI mouth. He nods and refocuses on the road.

We move at much faster speeds getting back to the house. Miguel pulls in first, followed closely by Isabel’s car. I take my first deep breath since we left the boutique when I see the gates closing behind her car.

Pedro is already coming out the front when we stop in the driveway, followed closely by Nico.

ChapterThirteen

Nico

My heart races in my chest. I need to see her in one piece. I run out the door after my father. He came to find me in his office after he got the call about the store. Waiting at the house the last time she was in the hospital for the tiniest bit of news nearly drove me insane.

She has to be okay. I don’t think I can handle her getting hurt again. Miguel brings the car to a stop and the back door opens before anyone has a chance to open it for them. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Dad go straight for Mom’s car.

My eyes are glued to the back seat. Sofia climbs out first, followed closely by Scarlett. She stands up to her full height, much taller than Sofia. Her eyes are full of worry as she watches Sofia walk into the house. I take a step toward her, needing to hold her in my arms. To truly know that she’s fine.

The daggers she shoots at me from her eyes could knock a man dead where he stands. She brushes past me and into the house. She has her arm looped around Sofia’s shoulders, guiding her down the front walk. Miguel meets my mom and dad halfway to the door.

“What the hell happened?” My dad asks before I can.

“I don’t know. We were in the back, trying on dresses while Miguel was upstairs in the lounge. The next thing I know, there’s a loud crash. We ran out to see what happened. That’s when we saw him outside the door.”

“Jose was supposed to be going to the south dock today, but not until later in the afternoon,” Miguel offers.

Mom reaches into her bag. “I brought home the full footage from the security cameras.”

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