Page 108 of Stolen By The Bratva King

Leon

Dante slumps in my arms, and I drop him instantly.

He hits the ground with a thud, but not a sound passes his lips, and I realize he’s already dead. Quick, painless, and a privilege the asshole didn’t earn.

The bullet didn’t go all the way through him, so I’m unscathed. I don’t think Reggiani sacrificed his son just to get to me; he did it because he felt like it.

I get it. Who wouldn’t tire of a chaotic amateur like Dante Firenze? The idea that he could restore his father’s respected status seems laughable. It’s hard to know who was more of a fantasist out of the two of them.

I whip my arm up before Reggiani has a chance to fire again, my gun aimed at his head. He has the sound instincts of a real bastard, and rather than threaten me, it’s Emery who’s looking down his gun barrel.

“Point your gun atme, you fucker,” I say.

I don’t take my eyes off him, and Emery speaks quietly, trying to soothe the frightened Desi.

“You shoot her, and I’ll have nothing to lose. You wanna see what that looks like?”

Reggiani balks slightly. He’s not as sure of himself as he was; perhaps seeing his only son’s blood pooling on the floor has rattled him.

“We said no weapons,” he says. “For you, anyway.”

“You knew I’d bring one. I couldn’t trust you to keep your word.”

I give Dante a swift kick, watching Reggiani’s face for a reaction, but he’s like stone.

“I let Dante search me, and as soon as he found the gun, I snatched it from his hand and marched him in here. Didn’t you teach him anything?”

Reggiani’s smile makes me feel sick. I remember it from the mugshots I saw as a child—from his goddamnobituary, for Christ’s sake.

“Don’t rile me, boy. We have a standoff here, and this wasn’t the deal. What do you want?”

“Let my wife and the kid drive away from here in my car,” I say. “Once I know they’re safely away from here, I’ll stand down.”

“No, Leon!”

Emery flies to my side, her chain clanking as she moves. It’s just long enough for her to reach me, and she throws her arms around my waist.

Her warmth almost breaks me. I never thought I’d feel her body against mine again, and for a moment, it’s all I can do not to drop my gun and embrace her, but I must stay on task.

This guy is a sick fuck, and if he can shoot his son dead without flinching, I have to assume he’s capable of anything.

“Emery,val’kiriya.” I nudge her gently. “Let go, baby. You gotta stay away from me.”

She’s crying, tears soaking my sleeve as she buries her face in my arm. “Youidiot,” she says, punching me weakly. “What did you do?”

“He agreed to come here alone and give his life for yours,” Reggiani says. “Idiotic, as you say, but that’s love for you.”

The arm holding my pistol is shaking, and I tense it. “Moya zhena, back the fuck away,” I say, my voice harsh. “I’m gonna die here. If you get hurt, it’ll be for nothing.”

I shove her harder this time, and she does as she’s told, returning to Desi’s side. Without her hands on me, I suddenly feel cold, like I’m already dead.

“Fine,” Reggiani says, fishing a keyring from his pocket. “I’m bored of this fucking sideshow. Take these.”

He tosses the keys, and they land within Emery’s reach. She sets about unlocking Desi’s collar before freeing herself, but I can’t spare more than the slightest flicker of a glance.

“My keys are in my pocket,” I say. “Take them and go to your father. Demyan will check you over and see to Desi.”

Emery gives a shuddering gasp, and I blink hard, fighting back tears of my own.

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