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.
