Page 19 of From the Ashes

I turn around to face him, just in time to see him drag a hand through his hair roughly. “What’s wrong?”

“My keys are gone.”

I chuckle. If it’s a chase my little menace wants, it’s a chase she’s going to get.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CAMILLA

Iswipe away angry tears as I follow the car’s navigation system out of the city. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to leave my phone behind.

It seemed like exactly that when I was in the heat of the moment, changing into the soft cotton dress they packed me and swiping Kaos’s keys on my way out of the apartment, but my sense of direction has never been a strength of mine.

I’m so fucking mad at myself for being such an idiot.

They paid me a little attention, and I fell in their laps like they’re my reason for breathing, when really, they’re the reason my whole life fell apart in the first place.

I should have known it was them. I feel like a fucking idiot for not putting the pieces together, but I was so wrapped up in my recovery that it never crossed my mind. Obviously, I knew someone killed my dad, but I assumed it was one of Davenport’s men.

The drive to my family’s mansion takes under an hour in the early morning traffic, and when I pull up outside the familiar gates, my stomach churns. This seemed like my best option when I got in the car and had to make a snap decision, but now that I’m here, I’m not so sure.

Especially now that I’ve watched my dad be murdered in his office.

I park the car outside the huge wrought iron gates and tug my backpack from the passenger seat. I leave the keys on the front seat and walk toward the control house, hoping whoever’s on duty isn’t going to give me the third degree. I don’t think I can handle it right now.

When Dean sticks his head out with furrowed brows, I breathe a sigh of relief. The man has worked for my family since before I was born, and he’s not in the business of prying.

“Miss De Marco.” He greets me with a smile.

“Hey, Dean,” I say, looking over my shoulder at the matte black SUV I’ve abandoned near the entrance to the drive. “Some guys are going to come get that at some point.”

“Of course,” he replies as he presses the button inside the guard house and the gates begin opening. The groan of solid steel is familiar, and yet it doesn’t bring me any comfort. “We weren’t sure if you were going to be coming back here after everything that has happened.”

I sigh as I reach him and stare up at his kind, hazel eyes. He’s in his fifties, and it probably won’t be long before he starts thinking about retirement, if he’s not already. He has a wife and a tribe of grandkids at home that would love to have him around more. “Can you do me a favor and contact Luca to request more security on the house?”

“Is something wrong? Are you sure one of the other houses wouldn’t be more appropriate?”

I shake my head. “No, nothing like that. The men who own that car are going to want to get in, but I need you to make sure that doesn’t happen. I thought some additional security would help make your job easier.”

“Of course, Miss De Marco. I’ll get on it right now. We should have some extra guys here within the hour.”

“You can call me Camilla, Dean. You know that.”

“But you’re the boss now.”

“Don’t remind me.” I half laugh, and he cracks his own smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He’s far too kind to work for a family like mine, but we pay better than most security jobs in the city, and generally the work is pretty easy.

“Very well, Camilla. Let me know if there’s anything else you need.”

“Thanks, Dean. Say hi to your wife for me.”

He chuckles. “Oh, I will. Now that you’re back, I’m sure she’ll send you something yummy when I come to work tomorrow.”

I can’t help but smile on the way up the drive toward the house. My heart might ache for the men I allowed myself to fall for, but there are still people in my corner.

When I reach the front door, I push the door open and step inside, quickly locking it behind me. Truthfully, there’s so much security on the premises that we rarely bother to lock the doors, but knowing the men of the Legion, there’s no way in hell I’m taking any chances.

I slump against the locked door and drop my head back against the wood.

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