Page 84 of Seeking Shadows

My breath caught.

“She’s coming to the States,” he said casually, as if discussing the weather. “A transfer from Mexico to here.” He tilted his head. “And if I find out you’re even thinking about coming closer, Mia…”

The threat didn’t need to be said.

My eyes started to burn.

“Your actions will already bring her punishment,” he added, his calmness destroying me.

My vision became blurred.

“Papá…” My voice broke, and I hated it.

"Hiciste tus elecciones, niña." He stepped back, satisfied. "Ahora aprenderás las consecuencias."

You made your choices, little girl. Now you’ll learn the consequences.

Tears streamed hotly down my face, the pain tearing me apart from the inside out.

And then, the door opened with a bang.

Nico didn’t even have time to turn around before a punch connected with his jaw hard enough to make him stagger.

The sound of the impact echoed through the room.

I held my breath.

Zane stood there, eyes wild, breathing heavily, fists clenched.

Nico wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, then smiled.

“You know,” he said, as if amused, “you need to learn your place, Mitchell.”

Zane didn’t move, but the tension in his body was on the verge of breaking.

“Funny,” he growled, his voice low, dangerous. “I was thinking the exact same thing about you.”

“She is my daughter, not your wife yet.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. She’s mine. Come near her again and the deal is off.”

“Be careful, Mitchell. You’re showing your cards too much.”

“And you’re poking at something that doesn’t want to be poked at.”

Nico stared at him, then looked at me with a disgusted expression, making me withdraw and leave the room without saying anything.

Zane turned to me, checking on me, and I cried even harder because I knew Katie would suffer from this.

Nico wasn’t the type you bullied. When you cut off his head, another one grew in its place.

It made no sense to kill him when I knew there were people with the same or perhaps worse ideals, ready to take the throne when he was gone.

This situation was delicate. And I could only fear for the lives of Zane, Katie, Seth, and everyone I loved.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” I whispered.

“Mia, I won’t let him mistreat you.”

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