Page 155 of Merciless Queen

For a moment, the entire warehouse falls away and it’s only Zeno and me in another time where I could allow myself to feel, for the fear I felt to be something larger than mere concern for a comrade.

Once again, I’m reminded of Papa’s journal. He loved my mama too at one point, and then he lost her, and the loss got to be too much. No matter how it’s spun, love is cruel. Being vulnerable hurts. Losing the object of affection or being betrayed by them—both are unacceptable.

He’s okay. He’s okay.

But I’m not Papa and?—

Nothing has changed.

I lift my head from his, not meeting his eyes when I murmur, “Glad you’re alive, Mancini. Wouldn’t want to explain to the Cosa Nostra why one of their capos was killed in my territory.” Zeno’s brows scrunch together and it seems like he’s about to say something so I add, “Let’s go see if Serafina and Lev’s all right.”

I turn without waiting for his reply, avoiding what he wants me to admit. From the feelings quickly creeping up again.

On my way to the exit, I pass Anastasia. She’s staring at Zeno behind me before murmuring, “You agreed to your uncle’s terms.”

“I was never handing over the Bratva. I just needed him to think I would.”

“What would have happened if?—”

“It doesn’t matter,” I interrupt, walking by her and out the door. “It’s over.”

Outside, the SUV that Lev and Anastasia took here has the back door propped open, Lev’s leg sticking out.

I rush closer, taking in the bloody scene. Lev is sprawled on the back seat, his head in Serafina’s lap as she pins a cloth to his shoulder, red staining the material. His eyes are clamped shut, his mouth parted through his heavy, paced breaths.

Serafina, who’s paler than usual, face tear-stained from earlier, gasps when I appear in the doorway. “Oh, thank fuck, it’s you. I-I need…I mean, he was shot getting me out.”

“Shit. Ana!”

She jogs closer, tossing me the vehicle’s keys as she takes in her bloodied brother in the back seat with a curse. She climbs inside, pulling the rest of his body in with her and lays her hand over Serafina’s.

“I can take over. You did good.”

I quickly slide into the driver’s seat while Zeno takes the passenger side, his hand retying the piece of my shirt I used to sop up as much of the blood. He looks over his shoulder to check, “You okay?”

Serafina shakes her head, swallowing through her anxiety. “I’m alive thanks to him.” She slides her gaze to Anastasia. “He’ll be okay, right?”

With a set expression, Anastasia replies, “He’s been injured worse than this before. Seems to be a clean hit, but he’ll need a doctor soon.”

I slam my foot down onto the gas pedal and take off.

Me

I have her. She’s safe. We’ll be headed back soon.

Nero

What happened?

Me

Too much. I’ll explain later.

I slipthe phone in my back pocket as the bedroom door opens and Anastasia steps out, her expression grim but also calm. She spots me leaning on the wall, where I’ve been waiting ever since the Bratva’s doctor left earlier after patching us all up. Lev had the worst injuries, and then their doctor bandaged me up, gave me pain meds, and diagnosed it’d be healed soon. Vanessa disappeared almost instantly and refused to get checked by him.

“He okay?”

“He’ll live. Your sister’s still in there.” She walks away.

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