Page 21 of Savage Little Queen

“Everything going OK?” His dark eyes were trained on me. I noted the way they skirted to the bandages on my wrists.

“I’m happy,” I said softly. “If that’s what you’re asking.”

He offered me a smile. “I was worried, Dom. Not going to lie.”

“I was also,” I admitted. “I’d like to extend my apologies for the way I behaved. The drugs. The. . . women. The stress. It’s not who I am. I’m sorry.”

He waved me off. “We’re just happy you’re OK. And that Bianca is back.”

“Me too.”

“So, everything is going well then?”

I nodded. “Can’t complain. Just have to get through this shit with Vasiliev, but I think it’ll work out. Eventually. As long as he doesn’t fuck-up again.”

“Yeah, I’m surprised you’ve let him live.”

“For Bianca and the babies.”

“Understandable.”

We were both quiet for a moment before he spoke again.

“The house fire resulted in your and your men’s death if you want it. Tate thinks Drake shot and killed Bianca. She’s dead to them as well.”

“What aren’t you saying?” I sat forward.

“You’re free of this life if it’s what you want. You can start a new life without any of this shit hanging over your head. You can stay here until it’s sorted, then we can get you out of the country to wherever you want to go.”

I studied him for a moment. So many thoughts rolled through my head, but only one stuck.

“Thank you, Enzo, truly, but no.Resterò e combatterò.I will fight. This world doesn’t get better because we run. It’s better because we fight. We kill those who intend to hurt us. It’s a better place with less monsters.”

He inclined his head at me. “I didn’t think you’d leave. Perhaps your men might feel differently, though? Maybe offerthe freedom to them while you tend to business. We can join forces, take out these pricks, and rule this city.”

“Is that what you want?”

He sighed. “Honestly, I’ve never wanted this life, but it’s the life I have. I’ve vowed it to my father, so here I am. If I have to be here, I want it to be my way.Ourway if you want to join forces. Split the city. Rule it how we see fit, not these OG assholes who are ruining lives.”

I considered his words. “And your girl? Rosalie?”

He sat forward and rubbed his eyes. “Things aren’t great. I love her with every bit of me there is, but she doesn’t want this life. I asked her to marry me, and she accepted. The fact remains, however, she hates the life we have. We’re at an impasse. I can’t quit, and she refuses to accept it. Outwardly, she does. Inside? I know she worries and keeps going over it. She has that right to do so, and I accept that about her. It means she’s paying attention to how dangerous this life is. In the end, she loves us all and is attached. So, we fight more than any of us cares to. Truth of the matter is, I’m losing her.”

“To Anson?”

He let out a soft, sad laugh. “No. I’m losing her to her dreams. To reality. We all are. The others just don’t realize it yet.”

I took in his words. Noted the way his hands trembled. The way his jaw quivered. He loved her and knew it wasn’t going to last.

“I’m at the point where I know her safety isn’t guaranteed with us. She needs to leave. All we do is fight. We fought last night before I left to help my father. We fought this morning. We fought before I came in here. I’m not the same man she fell in love with. But I love her. Fuck, do I love her.”

“I’m sorry,” I murmured. “It hurts to lose what you love.”

“Yeah.” He nodded. “Maybe there will be a miracle that will save us all. It’s what I pray for every night. If not, I may have totell her goodbye.” He breathed out. “Fuck, man, I don’t want to. I love her. I want her to be my wife. It’s tearing us apart, though, because Fox loved her first, and we’d agreed no one would marry her. But duty calls.” He sighed. “We’re all in, or we’re out. Those are our rules. He has a bright future if he doesn’t end up killed in this life. Sometimes, I wonder if maybe we should let him take her away and give her the white picket fence and all the kids she could want. Even that fucking Pomeranian she keeps talking about wanting. All I know is that at some point, this dam is going to burst, and everything will end up destroyed.”

I licked my lips. “What do you need from us, Enzo? What can we do to help?”

“Join me. Kill these pricks. Make it safe for our women. Children. Family. If you decide to leave, I’ll accept that. I’ll never say a word to anyone about you or the kings. I’ll even claim I’m the one who murdered you if you’d like.”

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