Page 38 of Devious Kingpin
Without questioning him, I aimed and pulled the trigger.Bang. Bang. Bang.
Screeeech.
The SUV mirrored Dante’s maneuver and their driver slammed on the brakes. Except when it slowed behind us, he suddenly turned the wheel one hundred and eighty degrees and sped up heading the opposite way.
Adrenaline still pumping hard through our veins, the silence that followed fell like a dead weight around us. My ears buzzed and each heartbeat felt like a hammer against my ribs as I put the safety on the gun on autopilot and dropped it to the floor.
“You okay?” Dante’s voice penetrated through the buzzing in my ears and drumming of my heartbeat. He reached over and took my hand into his. My eyes lowered to our hands, his fingers interlocking with mine. “Juliette, answer me.”
Peeling my gaze from his hand holding mine, I answered in one breath. “Yes, I’m fine.”
Our gazes met and chaotic emotions ran through me.
“When I get my hands on that woman—” Rage coated Dante’s words.
“You know her?” I asked, my gaze flicking back to the rearview mirror.
“Yes.”
“Who is she?” I kept glancing through the shattered glass that used to be the back window, worried the SUV would come back. I couldn’t help my paranoia.
“Sofia Volkov.”
I froze, disbelief washing over me.
The woman I’d been searching for had slipped through my fingers.
* * *
The next few hours passed in a blur.
The DiLustros and my family crowded in the Bellagio suite. Mine, of course. Killian and Dad kept throwing somber-looking glances my way. I kept my expression calm and answered all of their questions.
“Why would she attack us?” Dante growled. “Unless she's declaring an all-out war.”
“The bitch is crazy enough to do exactly that,” Basilio hissed, remembering the events from two years ago. Sofia Volkov attacked him and Wynter, landing him in the hospital. He was lucky Wynter saved him. If she hadn’t thrown herself on top of his unconscious body, Sofia would have ended Basilio’s life.
“We need to tighten the security. This is probably not the last of Sofia Volkov.” Everyone turned to look at my father. Killian’s expression was unreadable, but something in his gaze warned me. I knew my brother well enough to know he’d try something.
“Killian, everyone’s safe and sound.” My voice must have startled everyone because their eyes darted my way. I was the only woman in the room. Davina and Wynter preferred to get their information from their husbands and stay out of the meetings like this. Ignoring them all, I tilted my head and studied my brother. “Promise me you won’t do anything.”
Killian’s jaw tightened, but he remained silent. Stoic.
“Your brother can take care of himself.” Of course Dad would defend him. Killian wanted to kill someone? Dad would hand him a weapon. The support aspect of it was great, but I’d be damned if I lost my brother over it.
“So can I,” I answered readily. “But you wouldn’t be okay with me chasing anyone for a vendetta. And I know Killian will try to go after her.”
Priest whistled and I narrowed my eyes on him, challenging him to say something. But all I found on his face was… approval? In fact, I could have sworn all the DiLustros looked slightly impressed. Why? It couldn’t be because I worried about my brother.
My brother slipped his hands into his pockets and smiled. “Don’t worry, Jules. I won’t do anything you wouldn’t.”
I blinked.How do I take that?It almost sounded like he knew—or suspected—of my extracurricular activities.
“Everything will be okay.” Dad placed a tentative hand on my arm. “Don’t worry. I’ll never let anything happen to you or Killian.” I gave him a flat smile. I loved my dad, but sometimes he was too blind. Despite his calm demeanor, I could detect a hint of fury in his eyes. There was no sense adding fuel to his worry, so I just accepted his explanation. “Go to bed and get some rest, Jules. We’ll work out security details and be right behind you. Tomorrow is a big day for everyone, but mostly for you.”
A shudder rippled down my spine. It was all I needed to hear to be reminded of my impending doom.
My eyes strayed toward Dante, who looked remarkably composed. If he was worried about what had just happened, you couldn’t tell by his expression.
