Page 139 of Coerced Queen

“Oh yeah?”

“The key was the last letter of the password.”

I’m curious.“What was the password?”

“Raphael Morelli.”

Awe wins hands down.How’s that for irony?My girl is a fucking genius.That I already know.However, “If you ever?—”

“Don’t make threats,” she says gently.“Not unless you really mean them.”

“Oh, I very much mean this.I’m going to paddle your ass so hard I’ll break skin.You’re never to put your life in danger again, do you understand?”

“So only you are allowed to sacrifice your life?”

The fucking sound of that.To sacrifice her life.I close my eyes.When I open them again, she’s looking at me with those scrapes on her cheeks and cuts on her skin.And all I want to do is wrap my arms around her and never let go, keep her safe, tell her what I couldn’t.What I should’ve.

“Anya, I almost lost you tonight.I very nearly didn’t have the chance to tell you how much I lo?—”

“No,” she says in a soft voice.“Don’t say things you don’t mean just because you think that’s what I want to hear.”

“Anya—”

“Please.”Her smile is tremulous.“Just come to bed.It’s been a long night.”

I clench my hands at my sides, willing her to listen, but maybe it’s not the right moment.Or maybe it’s too late after all.Getting there in time didn’t win me another chance.Maybe, by my own callous design, I lost her long before she almost died tonight.

ChapterForty-Two

Anya

Iwake up sandwiched between Claire and Saverio in the king size bed in his room.Technically, it’s our room now as we both sleep here.But I still think of it as his room because of the way our relationship is wired.

Saverio spoons me from behind, his heat sinking into my skin.One arm is thrown over my middle, anchoring me to him while his broad palm rests on Claire’s chest.

It’s the first time she slept through the night.Well, from three in the morning.My poor baby must be emotionally and physically wrought out.My chest tightens as all the scenarios that could’ve played out flash through my mind, but I push those dark thoughts down.

We’re here.Raphael is dead.Elena and her baby are safe.That’s what matters.

Still, the sick feeling that nestles in the pit of my stomach won’t lift.It builds like a wave, pushing up into my throat.

I take a few deep breaths, but it doesn’t go away.

Removing Saverio’s arm as carefully as I can, I sit up.

The long, dark eyelashes that brush his cheeks lift in a second.Staring at me with that disconcerting blue gaze, he asks, “What’s the matter?”

I shake my head, afraid I’ll empty my stomach if I open my mouth.Thankfully, Claire doesn’t wake up as I hop off the bed and pad on bandaged feet to the bathroom.I shut the door behind me and lean on it.The scent of last night, the smoke and the blood, is fresh in my mind.I move to the basin and cling to it, willing the sick feeling away, but my palms become clammy and saliva pools in my mouth.

Shit.

I kneel in front of the toilet.Heaves rack my body, but only bile comes out.There’s nothing left in my stomach.

“Fuck,” Saverio says as he rushes into the bathroom.

I hold up a hand when he reaches for my hair, but he ignores my plea to be left in peace so I can vomit without losing my dignity.Again.

As last night, he holds up my hair and rubs my back.“I’m calling Nicole.”

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