Page 7 of The Shadow King's Brother

My mother sighs again, her eyes closing for a moment. I shift the baby, making sure that she is comfortable in my arms.

My eyes scan the room, assessing, calculating, cataloging every person, every exit, every potential threat.

Paranoia is a familiar guest these days.

I spot a security guard I don’t recognize, his stance a little too relaxed, his eyes darting around the room.

“Who let you in?” I ask, cutting through the otherwise quiet atmosphere of the room.

He stutters, his gaze shifting nervously. “I’m Steven’s cousin...Thomas...”

“How come I’ve never seen you around?” I demand, my eyes narrowing.

I don’t trust anyone. Not anymore. Not since I realized how easily people turn their backs. Not since I realized how much they lie.

“You have seen me before, Mr. De Luca,” he replies quickly, a bead of sweat rolling down his forehead.

“Easy there,” Nica says, “It’s okay, Eli, we know Thomas. I know him.” She places a hand on my arm, bringing me back from the edge.

“Do we?” I spit out, my gaze still fixed on Thomas, studying his every move, his shifting stance, the way he keeps fidgeting with his fingers.

“Elio—” Nica says. “The baby.”

“Make sure everyone in here is supposed to be here!” I snap, as my baby sister shifts in my hands.

This hospital room and every single person inside it are my responsibility. This is about keeping my family safe, and if anyone is going to jeopardize that, I’ll…I don’t know what I’ll do, but it won’t be pretty.

I look at my sister, “You’re safe, baby girl, you’re safe,” I murmur.

I gently place her back in the bassinet, my hands shaking. The weight of my emotions is like a boulder in my chest. I clench my fist, my knuckles white with tension, like I am trying to crush something within me.

I’m losing it.

My breath is coming out in short puffs. I bang my fist against the wall, the impact sending a dull thud through the room, leaving a spiderweb of cracks in the plaster.

The baby starts crying. Shit, what have I done?

It’s just all—too much—Celeste. She’s brought into a world where her existence makes her a target. How is that fair?

I need to get out.

I turn and walk away, practically running, leaving the room and everyone inside it. I need space to breathe, to think.

Nica’s there, quick on my heels like a damn shadow. A shadow I love way too much.

“Hey, Elio, wait, look at me!” she calls out.

We’re in the hallway now, away from the sterile room, away from them. My mother, my new sister, but I still feel like I’m suffocating.

“Fuck this!” I burst out, running a hand through my hair. I pace, trying to find a way out.

I need air.

“Look at me, focus on my eyes,” Nica says, placing her hands on my cheeks. She guides my face to hers, forcing me to connect with her.

“I’m fine, I’m fine. Let’s just get out of here,” I say.

I need to escape, I need to be far away from here.

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