Page 5 of Crimson Reign

“Yeah, yeah. Too busy to help your favorite brother-in-law.”

“You’re my only brother-in-law.”

“Which automatically makes me the favorite.”

I hear a rustle and Isabella's voice filters over the phone. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” Nico replies.

A second later, she’s on the line. “Matteo? What’s happening?”

“Nothing you need to be involved in,” I say firmly. “Stay out of it.”

“I can help,” she insists.

“No,” Nico and I say at the same time.

There's a beat of silence, then she mutters, “You both suck.”

Nico sighs. “She’s mad now. Thanks for that.”

I smirk. “You’ll survive.”

“You know she’s going to come with me, right?”

Dammit.

I exhale sharply. “Yeah.”

“I’ll be there in the morning.” His tone shifts, the playfulness fading. “Whatever this is, you good?”

I glance at Elena, who's standing at the kitchen entrance, pretending not to eavesdrop while shifting Fiona in her arms.

"I will be once I figure out what the hell I just walked into."

We hang up, and I turn back to find Elena, who’s watching me with a raised brow.

"Eavesdropping is a disgusting habit," I tell her.

She doesn't even blink. "You can’t blame me. I need to know what I’m getting involved in."

Yeah, same.

I exhale sharply, already exhausted. "Take the bedroom. I'll take the couch."

She hesitates but nods, disappearing into the room.

I sit back on the couch, gun resting on the table beside me. I don't close my eyes. Not yet.

Because this isn't over…

And before morning, I need to figure out exactly what kind of war I just started.

3

Elena

Iwakewithascreamdying in my throat. It’s the same nightmare.

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