Page 25 of The Shadow King's Brother

What are they saying? Why is this happening?

The stillness is maddening. The phone call feels like an important piece of the puzzle, slipping further and further from my grasp. All I have is a figure standing in front of me, with their lips moving.

I switch to another feed, maybe I’ll get a better angle, anything that will give me more clarity. My pulse pounds in my ears as I strain to get a better view. But there’s nothing new—just shadows and glimpses, nothing that helps me make sense of it.

Then, the figure slips out of view, leaves the house, and vanishes into the night like a phantom. It’s over almost as quickly as it started, and all I’m left with is frustration and the overwhelming feeling that I’ve uncovered absolutely nothing.

Great, Nica. Some PI you would have been.

I let out a breath, slumping back in my chair. I rest my eyes on the screen, ready to close the laptop and continue this nightmare tomorrow. It’s not like I’ve gotten anywhere, anyway.

But then, I see it again.Movement.

It’s subtle, almost imperceptible. Another figure steps into view, just outside the house. The light from the camera blinks as they approach, and I lean forward, my heart skipping a beat. This time, it’s different.

The two figures meet and exchange words. Their voices are muted, but there’s no mistaking the way the second figure glances around nervously, their body language tight, wary. They know they’re being filmed. They’re aware of the cameras, aware they’re being watched.

And then they step closer to the camera— As if daring me to see more.

The moment stretches, time slowing to a crawl.

The second figure raises a hand—slow, deliberate—

And flips the camera off.

What. The. Actual. Fuck.

A cold chill rushes through me.

The second figure is a man.

A man I know.

He mouths the words fuck you, his face half-hidden by the hood.

But his eyes—sharp, cold, piercing—Unmistakable.

My blood turns to ice.

Vinny.

De.

Luca.

You bastard.

My hands tremble on the keyboard as I hit pause, the image burned into my mind. The warmth drains from my body, replaced by an icy dread that settles deep in my bones. This isn’t a coincidence or just some message. This is a personal challenge, and he is daring me to take it.

I grab my phone, my fingers shaking as I type:

‘Meet me at the mansion. Now.’

I send it to Elio, Gio, and Jackson, the urgency clawing at my chest like an animal trying to escape its cage. This is the man who assaulted me, killed my father, and killed Elio’s father. My body screams to run, to hide, but I know it’s not an option.

The nightmare I thought I’d escaped is far from over.

Vinny’s back and he’s not hiding.

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