Page 94 of Heirs of Havoc

“What’re you doing here?” It’s the first question I ask Milo when I find my words.

He chuckles, a croaky one. “I thought my time at SAA was dramatic, but Mia, you take the cake.”

“Listen, what happened with the twins—”

He puts up a hand. “Why don’t we take a drive?” He moves towards the door. “And that wasn’t a suggestion.”

* * *

"What're we doing here?"

The church is the last place I thought Milo Murphy would take me when he asked for a drive.

Pulling into the parking lot, his old black muscle car comes to a stop in the pastor’s spot.

“I thought the twins' mom didn’t want me here.” Looking through the windshield at the cross, I'm praying for an answer. "Did you find them?”

“Margarita Reznikov is a firecracker.” Milo pops his glove compartment, a black leather flask shining under the light. Unscrewing it with one hand, he passes it to me. “But let’s get one thing clear. No one tells me what to do. Not even her. Well, maybe Lucie and my daughter. But don’t tell them I said that.” He gestures for me to drink up and considering my week, I bring the flask to my lips. Stalling, I remember the concoctions Vlad and Lev fed me. “It’s just vodka," Milo reassures. "You look like you need it.”

A couple of swigs burn into a soothing comfort before he gets out of the car, heading towards the main doors. Guess that’s my cue to follow him.

Milo doesn’t stop in the lobby. He doesn’t head to the main room or the dungeon club downstairs. He climbs the steps to the main office.

As he guides the way, I take another swig, my mind swirling with what could be on the other side of the office door.

“Ready?” he asks when we get there.

“Depends.”

He chuckles, turning the knob. “Go on in. I have some business to handle.”

When the door opens, my eyes widen.

My heart thuds.

Is that …

A weight lifts off my chest when I see who’s leaning against the rail.

Those tattoos tell me it's him, but… am I dreaming? Am I still back in my dorm?

“Lev?” Blinking, that dimple appears when he grins.

Then my legs take off towards him.

Slamming into his chest, that bittersweet scent overtakes me as my arms wrap around him.

“Woah, there.” Looking up, his eyes lock on mine. “Hey, M&M.” He’s trying to play it cool, but the sound of his beating heart against my chest tells me something different.

“They let you go?”

“Are you two fucking?” Vlad’s voice comes from beside me, a shiver rolling up my spine.

He's alive.

“Not yet.” Lev loosens his tight grip as I turn to Vlad, his narrow blues on me. He’s in a black shirt, jeans almost matching his brother’s, those tats on full display.

Moving towards him, my hands reach for his face. No scratches. No scars. My eyes wander his body. No sign of bullet wounds. “You-you’re okay.”

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