Page 85 of Reign of Psychos

“I thought I’d lost you!” Tears flowed down my cheeks, soaking the sweater I wore.

“Would…take more than…fire to…kill me.” From how hard it was for him to speak, the smoke must have caused some damage. “Ophelia…is she…safe?”

“I don’t know.” When I turned around, Cassian said something to the doctor and then nodded. “I’m sure she must be. We’d have heard if not.” My voice trailed off.

Cassian touched my shoulder. “She’s going to be alright. Like this idiot, she just needs to stay under observation for a few days.”

“Fuck…that,” Kyril forced out. “I need…my…kitten.”

“Wait here while I go see Mom.” Cassian’s lips brushed my cheek and then he left me alone with Kyril. I waited for the door to click shut before I crawled onto the bed and rested my head on his broad chest.

“I’m not going anywhere,” I whispered. Then I closed my eyes, listening to Kyril’s heartbeat as I drifted off into sleep.

42

Thea

The prison officer checked my security pass before letting me into a waiting area. I was the only person in here, as it wasn’t the usual visiting slot. Dad’s lawyer had arranged for me to see him. I wasn’t sure if Dad would agree to the visit, but he had, so here I was.

I’d left Dario outside in the parking lot. He’d wanted to come in with me, but my father was a high-risk prisoner, so only his court-appointed lawyer and close relatives could see him.

If Kyril had had his way, he would have flown to Italy with us, but I’d forced him to stay behind. While he’d mostly recovered from the effects of the fire, he needed rest. And besides, Dario was more than capable of acting as my unofficial bodyguard for this flying visit.

I smoothed down my shirt and took a seat. My jeans felt tight. It wouldn’t be long before they no longer fitted me, but for now, my pregnancy wasn’t visible. I didn’t want my father to know I was pregnant. It was my secret.

He didn’t deserve to learn he had a grandchild on the way. Not when he’d done such a shit job of being a father.

Verity hadn’t asked about him, although she was aware he was in prison. Like me, she felt relieved to know he was no longer a threat to us. Marku was still out there, but since Torrance’s sad demise, nobody else had come after me.

Hopefully, the Romanian had given up on taking me as his bride. If he had any sense, he’d be lying low. Europol would no doubt be hunting him and his associates now the DIA had my father under lock and key.

A door opened and my father walked in, his ankles and wrists shackled with chains. To my surprise, his expression brightened when he saw me. I’d expected all kinds of abuse and accusations of treachery, not a happy grin.

“Ragazza! You came at last.” A guard stood at the door with a bored expression as Dad shuffled over. Cameras in every corner of the room winked at us, watching our interaction. Listening to our conversations.

“You’re looking…well,” I lied. He’d lost weight and his skin was more gray than tan. Were they not feeding him? Oh dear. I’d be sure to put in an official complaint to the prison. Not.

“I won’t be in here much longer.” He winked at me.

I frowned. Did he expect me tohelp him escape? Surely not.

“Your lawyer says you’re looking at a life sentence. Zero chance of an early release.”

“That stupidstronzodoesn’t know his dick from his asshole!” Dad smacked his hands down on the metal table to illustrate his feelings about the lawyer he’d been court-assigned. It didn’t move, thanks to heavy-duty bolts securing it to the floor.

“Unfortunate, but not why I’m here.”

“I know why you’re here,ragazza.” Dad grinned conspiratorially. He really had lost his mind. I could tell.

“You do?”

He leaned in and whispered, “Is Torrance coming for me?”

“You mean your psychotic second?” Dad’s eyes skittered around the room, but the guard wasn’t listening. He was way too busy cleaning out his nails with a short utility knife. Gross.

“Yes. Does he have a plan? I need to get out of here.”

“No, he doesn’t have a plan because he’s dead.”

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