Page 83 of Heirs of Havoc

Dom’s right. I’m the one who’s reckless.

When we get out to the main quad, police cars with their lights circling around greet us, their guns pointed our way.

“Fuck,” Lev mutters. “Think our journey ends here, Merlo.”

“Let the girl go!” A police officer yells through a megaphone.

“Well, if you’ll give me a chance,” Lev calls back, placing me on the concrete step. A helicopter putters above, the scene on campus something out of an action movie. Police officers stay behind their cruisers, an ambulance tucked to the side. Lev’s words land in my ear. “Go ahead. I’ll be alright.” When I glance behind me, he doesn’t seem the least bit bothered, raising his hands high in the air. “It’s not me you’re after officers, I can promise you that.” His eyes catch mine and he jutes his chin forward. “Go, Mia.”

With slow steps, I walk down the stairs, glancing behind me. Last time I couldn’t do anything, but this time I will. “He’s not the guy!” I call to the cops as I approach them. “They’re in there. He saved me.” An officer runs up to me when I’m far enough from Lev, ushering me away. “Wait. Did you hear me?”

“We need you evacuated,” the officer replies, pushing me further away from the building.

“But—” Glancing behind me, an officer approaches Lev and while I’m happy they don’t shoot, he’s pushed to the ground. He winces as his chest hits the floor. They pull his arms behind his back, my chest tightening.

The same thing that happened to Dom is about to happen to Lev. And it’s all my fucking fault.

The cop places a blanket around me as the SWAT team enters the school like an army.

“Easy, Officer.” Turning to Lev’s voice, the cops push him into a cruiser, a hand on his styled hair. He laughs as they read him his rights before his eyes lock on mine. Wavy blues. It’s the last thing I see before they slam the cruiser door.

The officers try to settle me as I plead for them to let him go. I ask questions, but they ignore me. I don't let up, pacing in front of them, begging them to let me speak to Lev.

“Ma’am, you need to stop,” an officer sighs.

Students leaving the school distract me, groups rushing away from the building. Most of them look tense, relieved or worried, and I can only imagine the trauma I’ve brought to Clementine.

Scenarios build in mind. Are Vlad and Dom still alive? I’m still waiting for word on Feliks.

My stomach squeezes into knots, my eyes on the main building doors as officers wheel body bags down the steps.

No.

Rushing towards them, an officer holds me back.

That can’t be them.

I want answers.

I need answers.

“Mia Merlo?” The voice that comes from behind me stiffens me. Dean McQueen. And this time, he’s using my real name. When I turn around, a beefy security guard stands next to him, arms crossed. There’s no escaping this judgement. “In my office. Now”

* * *

“I know.”

It’s the first thing I say when Dean McQueen closes the door to his office. I don’t even take a seat. It’s no use. I know exactly what’s coming.

Dean McQueen paces in front of his desk, his face pale, his shoulders hunched. I’m shaken too, and not just because his new security stands behind me.

The scene replays over and over in my head. And while I know what’s coming, the question on my mind comes out first. “Are… Do you know if Cyrus is okay?”

McQueen stops in his path. “Cyrus?” His eyebrows raise. “Or do you mean Dominik Federov? Heir to the Federov empire. The Bratva empire.”

“I—”

“And you. You! The daughter of Martin Merlo.” Dean McQueen laughs, but it’s far from a humorous one. “This is just… You already know by now you’re expelled from this program, Mia Merlo. You are not to be anywhere near this school with your band of gangsters. We already have enough on our plate without your father’s men shooting up the school, looking for you.”

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