Page 74 of Stolen Seconds

“Terrified,”I joked, bulging my eyes for theatrics.

“Well, take your terror into the dining room. Everyone is already seated.”

“Will Enzo be here tonight? I haven’t seen him around lately.”

Her smile faded as she planted her hands on the kitchen island. “He’s not doing well with Sofia being in rehab.”

I nodded my head in understanding. It wasn’t a secret that Sofia was unwell—had been for a while now. And that Enzo had become a shell of a ghost because of it.

We only hoped that whatever it was, they’d get through it.

“I’ll check up on him when I can.”

“Thanks, Luca.” The green in her eyes dampened into a forest hue. “He’ll be happy to see you.”

After a few minutes of helping her around in the kitchen, we joined the others.

Irina was to my left, her presence so beautiful, I couldn’t help but rest my hand on her thigh. Touching her was never enough, I’d always craved more andmore.

Her face turned a light shade of pink as I moved my hand further up her thigh, my fingers resting in between.

Memories of last night resurfaced, and I had no doubt that she was doing the same.

Roman stood abruptly, his chair scratching against the floor and catching our attention.

“A toast to Irina,” he said, holding his glass up, a dark aura radiating from him. As he walked around the table, I tracked his movements with suspicion until he stood behind her. In swift motion, he held a gun to the back of her head. “For being a fucking liar.”

The room stilled, the air thickening with tension as all sounds ceased.

It was on instinct—a reflex as I stood and pulled out my own gun and held it to Roman’s head. “Put your gun down, brother.”

A flicker of dismay and surprise crossed his features before it hardened into anger. “She means nothing to you.”

And that was all it took for my composure to shatter. “She meanseverythingto me.” I breathed hard as adrenaline coursed through my veins. “Sheiseverything.”

We stared at each other as understanding dawned on him. He didn’t have to say it for me to feel the void of my betrayal.

“I invited you into my home and accepted you as family.” He removed his attention from me, speaking directlyto Irina as she stayed seated. “Only for you to manipulate us like the snake you turned out to be.”

“Roman,” I warned. He was my best friend, but I wouldn’t allow him to speak to Irina with that tone.

“Shut up, Luca,” he seethed, his body rigid. “This is none of your business.”

“Put your guns down,” Aurora demanded in distress, rounding the table to where we stood. “Please.”

Nicolai surprised me by standing from his seat and inserting himself between Irina and Roman. “Not here. . . ” Pain marred his features as he looked at him almost pleadingly.

Irina tilted her head to the side—uncaring of being held at gunpoint—and peered at our youngest member. “You broke our promise?” And the hurt in her voice was enough for me to feel a fiery rage settle in my bones.

Nico didn’t meet her gaze, and I was at a loss for what had conspired between them and thispromise.

“Someone tell me what the hell is going on.” Aurora’s voice came out strained. “Right now!”

“Don’t do this.” Irina peered at Aurora, but her words were directed at Roman. “She’spregnant.”

The tension in the room was scathing, and it was stretching thin, on the verge of snapping.

“Tell her.” Two words from Roman, carrying underlying steel as he pressed the end of his gun further into her scalp.

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