Page 47 of King
“They die.”
My concern is Alana. I don’t care who lives and who dies, as long as she makes it out alive.
Reaper nods as he screws the silencer onto his gun while I do the same. I’m so anxious just sitting here waiting. Anything can go wrong. And likely, everything will.
“They’re moving,” Reaper says.
Emilio exits the vehicle, walks around the back to the other side, then opens the door. He reaches out his hand, and then Alana exits the vehicle. My heart speeds up. I hate I can’t stop this. I hate that she’s taking it upon herself to save everyone.
Emilio whispers something to her, and she nods. He grips her by the upper arm, then ushers her across the street. She looks directly at me like she can see me even though I know she can’t.
She smiles although it’s barely detectable before returning her attention back to the building she’s approaching.
“Let’s go,” I say as soon as they disappear inside.
Chapter Nineteen
ALANA
WhileI’mnotafraidto die because I’ve lived an extraordinary life coming from my background, I can’t believe I’m doing this. I’m willingly walking into the lion’s den praying to whoever will listen Emilio will kill his brother before he kills me.
As soon as I step foot in what looks like an abandoned building, the stench hits me. Bleach or ammonia, and blood. I wonder how many people have died in this place.
Will I be next?
Emilio’s grip tightens on my arm. He explained in the car he might have to rough me up a little to make it believable for Matteo. I’m sure by tomorrow I’ll have a bruise on my arm with how hard he’s squeezing.
We reach an open area of the building, the space illuminated by the sunlight filtering through broken windows lining the ceilings. My steps almost falter when I spot him surrounded by a group of men.
His wide back faces away from me. His dark gorgeous hair is now barely touching his shoulders. His suits always fit him to perfection. I thought I’d never have to see him again and now I have to trust his blood to kill him before he kills me.
I hope Dylan and Reaper are close.
“Brother!” Emilio shouts with so much enthusiasm it almost has me wondering if I’m truly safe with him. All conversation stops. “Look who I’ve found.”
Matteo turns around and the smile slips off his face when he sees me. The anger, rage, and possibly hate in his eyes almost stops my heart.
We stop walking. Only ten, maybe twenty feet, separate me from the man I once loved. From the man, I thought I’d spend the rest of my life with. Only feet separate me from the Devil.
I struggle against Emilio’s hold. This is the first time I can say with certainty Matteo scares me and my fight-or-flight instincts are kicking in.
“Well, well, well.” He crosses his arms over his chest. “If it isn’t the traitorous bitch. I should have gotten rid of you when my father told me to.”
The anger in his voice sends rage surging through me. Traitorous? I’m the traitor? He’s the one who built a life out of a lie and pulled me into it. There’s so much I want to say to this prick but one way I’ve found to piss Matteo off is to respond to him with calmness. And that will bring him closer so Emilio can do what he needs to do, and I can live in peace.
“How’s your fiancé?”
His eyes widen then narrow.
“Oh yeah, I know about her. And I know I was the mistress when I thought I was going to be the fucking wife. And you call me traitorous?”
“Is this why you did this to me!” He steps closer to me, but I don’t cower to the fear I feel. “I fucking loved you, Alana.”
This will be the last time I get to say my peace to him.
“You loved me?” I swallow hard, trying not to reveal my anger. “You didn’t really love me, Matteo. You have a whole fiancé.”
“Marrying that bitch is my duty.” He waves his hand in the air nonchalantly. “She’s for show. You were the one I wanted to spend my life with, and you turned on me because of my duty to the family.”
