Page 87 of Heirs of Havoc

Her eyes narrow into mine and it’s clear where the twins get that deathly gaze from. Her angular jaw is pointer than theirs, but it’s as sharp as their chiselled faces. “Those stupid, stupid boys.” She takes a step forward, each step of her heeled boots ringing in my ears. “Simple-minded and reckless. Do you know how much I need to work with the police department to get rid of this? The deals I need to make, the cock I need to suck because of you?”

“It’s not my fault.” Closing my eyes, I hear myself. I hear how I sound like a fucking child.

And she sees right through it. “Are you trying to bullshit me or yourself, little girl? I’m supposed to be on vacation. Not picking up messes. I knew I shouldn’t have let them stay here. But when they said they found Federov, I thought, hey, fine, they know what they’re doing. But it’s clear they don’t.” She lights up a skinny black cigarette, right here in the middle of the church, and her attitude reminds me of my dad. Unforgiving. Uncaring. Ungrateful. All mafia families are the same.

“They’re my protectors.” My hands turn to fists. “They had my back. That’s why they’re in trouble. They’re a lot more than you think.”

“They’re a pain in my ass. And now, so are you.” She walks toward me, the smell of tobacco filling the space between us. “We had nothing growing up until my father made the sacrifices he made. Was he a terrible man? Yes, but it runs in the family. We risked it all to build up this empire the way we have and I won’t let anyone get in the way.”

“I’m trying to help.”

“How? By fucking my sons? I can smell their jizz on you, little girl.”

“It’s Mia.”

“Or whore.” She glares through smokey eyes. “That’s all you’ll ever be to them. A chew toy.”

“You don’t know them like you think you do—”

“And you…” She reaches into her fitted blazer, pulling out a tiny silver gun. “If you don’t get out of my face in three seconds, they will pick your guts off the floor.”

“Please.” My hands go up in surrender, but it doesn’t shake me. I’m all too used to getting a gun pointed at me. But if I know anything about the Russians, they’re not afraid to kill to prove a point, and the look in this woman’s eyes screams death. “I have nowhere to go. And Dom? Federov? I don’t know if he made it.”

“As much as I enjoy the extension of our family, I have enough to worry about with my boys. Federov knows how to handle himself and if he doesn't, for a girl, then that’s on him.” She points the gun at my temple. “So, what’ll it be?”

Glancing back at the balcony above, Lucie and Milo lean against it, watching everything. It’s clear that whatever camaraderie we had, is gone.

Just like Dom and his men.

* * *

Leaving the church, my eyes shift towards the massive cross on top, still catching the sun.

So much for salvation.

So much for family.

After what happened, I thought Milo and Lucie would be on my side. At least for the twins. Now I’m as alone as when I got here, except this time, it feels so much more isolating.

I never thought I’d be longing for the cellar that Dom locked me in. At least then I had somewhere to stay. Somewhere far from my father. Now, I’m a sitting duck.

Reaching into my pocket, I pull out the empty packet of gum. Spearmint. And that reminds me it’s only a matter of time before Martin Merlo comes to collect what's his. Me. Without the boys around to protect me from his wrath, I’m as dead as they might be.

“Mia?”

A familiar voice comes from behind me, but I’m afraid to turn around. After everything that’s happened today, I’m not sure I can take another plot twist.

“Mia!”

Wait… That’s not a voice I expect to hear. It’s not a threatening one either.

“Chaya?” Turning around, Chaya approaches me in her school uniform under a black hoodie. Her black platform sneakers sprint my way. “Oh, thank God!” Her arms wrap around me, her locs smelling like hibiscus shampoo. “You’re here.” Her long arms damn-near choke me, but I sink into her hug. “Are you okay?”

“What are you doing here?” My voice muffles in her shirt. She backs away, her eyes darting around me.

“I couldn’t find you anywhere. I checked Bible Burger, the bookstore…” My stomach twists remembering what’s left of it.

“Didn’t think you’d look for me.”

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