Page 48 of Heirs of Havoc

“Vlad!” I try to warn him, but that only gives Nicholas the upper hand. He lands one in Vlad’s face, blood flying from his mouth. My stomach churns when Nicholas lands another, then another.

My eyes shift to the gun beside them, my sneakers moving to it. With shaky hands, I crouch, the cold metal offsetting the heat on my skin.

Nicholas lands another punch as I grip the gun in my hold. “Stop!” I yell, aiming at Nicholas’ head. They both look this way, a chuckle coming from Vlad.

“Mia, put the gun down,” Nicholas warns.

“Get the fuck off him,” I spit back.

Nicholas pushes a laughing Vlad to the ground. Rising to his feet, he raises his hands in the air.

My eyes move from the gun to Nicholas’ narrow eyes and … I’m not sure what to do next.

Vlad’s quick to his feet, his elbow going to Nicholas’ jaw. That makes him drop to the floor. Knocked out cold.

Relief hits my chest, the gun still tight in my grip.

“You alright, M&M?” Lev comes to my side, his blue eyes dropping to the gun in my grip. His warm hands come over mine before pulling the gun away. “Did you just save my brother?”

My hands shake in his. “I—I guess, I did.” I’m not sure what came over me. I’m not my father. Messing with artillery is not my thing. My eyes shift to Vlad, a glob of spit leaving his mouth. It lands on Nicholas, motionless on the concrete. “Were you guys watching me?” Is that how they found me?

“Wait until Dom hears about this,” Lev chuckles, ignoring my question. “We should get rid of the evidence.” He tucks the gun in his pants. “And the body.”

“I’m not done with him yet,” Vlad growls, wiping blood from his lip with his thumb.

“What are you guys gonna do?” My voice wobbles with my knees, glancing between them.

“Thanks to you?” Lev’s arm around my shoulders steadies me, his eyes lingering on a passed out Nicholas. “You don’t wanna know.”

“He had me.” Vlad glares at Nicholas. “He had you. And for that, he’ll pay.”

“Thanks for having his back, M&M.” Lev stands in front of me, his eyes wandering my face as his brother takes Nicholas by his legs.

“Does this mean you’ll have mine?” Glancing between them, my heart settles. “I don’t want to go back to that cellar. You know I can’t go home either.” Gesturing to Vlad dragging Nicholas across the concrete, I hope he gets the picture.

“Since you saved him?” Lev’s eyebrows raise, his hand coming to his jaw. “That’s a hell of a bargain, Merlo.” He winks. “But I’ll see what I can do.”

* * *

Nothing. Vlad and Lev did nothing.

We saved each other, but somehow, I still ended up back in the cellar.

“Stay here,” Lev said, pushing me into the confines of the cold, dark room. “We’ll deal with Dom.”

But he never came back.

After another night in my prison, I’m losing my damn mind. Considering I pointed a gun at someone last night, I already have.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

My ears perk up at the sound of someone coming down the steps. When I remember it could be Dom, I back up to the cellar wall, next to the bucket I’ve been using when I need it. Right now, I’m tempted to pour the piss-filled thing over his head, but I know where that’ll get me. Deeper in hell.

Creeak!

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