Page 82 of Possession

I swing open the door and take in the carnage as the glass crunches beneath my feet. Fear grips me, and I let go of every lesson I’ve ever been taught in the Mafia as I drop my gun and race toward my girl. I drop to my knees and feel for a pulse.

A pool of blood circles her stomach, and my hand trembles as I tug my phone from my pocket to dial 911.

“Ambulance. Now!” I end the call, knowing dispatch will already have a tag on my address. The front door opens, but I ignore it and rip my shirt off my back to use as a compression, only the warmth of her blood seeps through my fingers.

“Holy fuck, what the hell happened?” My eyes snap up to meet Kai’s wide eyes.

“I don’t know. Find Oliver, he said he’s in the closet.” The terror in my voice is unmistakable. He spins on his heel, heading for the stairs.

As I press my shirt to her stomach, I stare down at my lifeless girl, and everything around me swims with unadulterated dread. A heaviness takes hold in my stomach while my chest feels like it’s caving in, and my heart palpitates at the way her lips are turning blue. “Little Doll. Don’t do this,” I beg.

Emotion clogs in my throat, and it’s suddenly difficult for me to swallow. “Please, Little Doll,” I whisper as the sound of sirens approaching fills my ears, bringing with it a tiny ray of hope. “They’re going to help you, Little Doll. They’re going to save you for Daddy.” I lick my lips. “For our boys too.” My tears drip onto her face, and I swipe it away. “Know your fucking worth, Ellie. You’re worth everything to us, baby.” The coldness of her skin sends my breath hitching. “You promised me you’d never leave me again.” I hiccup, then roll my lip to prevent it from shaking further. “I didn’t get to tell you I love you,” I say as I stroke over her silky locks.

“I love you, Little Doll.”

Her lack of response sends desperation through me. “Say it back,” I demand, the firmness in my tone bordering on unhinged.

“Say it fucking back!” I bellow, but my broken little doll doesn’t so much as flinch.

The doors burst open, and paramedics rush toward me. Reluctantly, I pull my hands away, allowing them to take over while I clutch the counter, needing something to anchor me.

My eyes plead with her to not give up, not give in, when we only just began.

“Fuck. What happened?” Rocco’s voice snaps me out of my stare. Using my palms, I swipe the tears away, and somehow, my spine straightens, snapping back into Mafia mode. My weakness gone in the blink of an eye.

“Kids are fine. I have them secure in my car, security surrounding them,” Kai informs me, then places his hand to his ear, listening intently to whoever is speaking. “A body has been located on the patio. Description is Kendal, stab wound to her chest.”

Rocco’s eyes widen. “Shit. Do you think?” He waves his hand toward my girl, and I grind my teeth as paramedics shock her small body, causing me to grimace at how fragile she looks. Bile floods my stomach, and I’ve no choice but to turn away, unable to think straight while they work on her.

“I want security footage. I want to know what the fuck went down in this kitchen and what the hell Kendal was doing at my house.”

“Does she have access?” Rocco asks, his eyes flicker between mine and Kai’s.

I wince, knowing I never revoked it, then scrub a hand over my jaw, needing to admit my fatal error. One that could cost me dearly, our sons too. Pain lances through my chest, and I rub at the offending organ.

“She had access,” I admit with defeat.

“If she had access...” Kai leaves the comment open.

“She had free rein, I get it. I allowed her to hurt my family.” My lip wobbles. “I failed them.” Devastation is evident in my tone.

“That’s not what I meant,” he states.

“Isn’t it? That’s exactly what it means, though,” I grit out, annoyed that Kai is trying to placate me.

I glance over my shoulder.

“Shock on three . . .”

I close my eyes and countdown with them.

“One.”

I’ve never been a religious man, no matter how hard my grandmother tried to steer me to the catholic religion, but I pray to a God I have no right to.

“Two.”

Please God.

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