Page 104 of Fortress of the King

“Mia?” I prompt. “Kidnappers. Ransoms. Oh, and I thought you might like these back.”

I reach into my pocket to pull out the Harry Winston box with the earrings I bought her that she pawned. I bought them back.

She gasps as I hold them out in my palm.

“They are rather fetching on her, aren’t they, Enzo?”

She pales as Enzo walks up behind her and comes into view. Their eyes lock and he forces a smile.

“It’s not what you think,” he says when her eyes go wide.

She squints at him, like she’s seeing him for the first time, “What are you do–”

“No time for that,” he replies as she stumbles. The drugs are starting to take effect.

Good. We need to get out of here as discreetly as possible.

She turns to me. “I never meant to hurt you, Angelo. I wouldn’t have done it, I swear, it’s my sister,” she pleads.

“You know, I think I’ve heard enough.”

“Please,” she begs.

“Don’t worry,Carina,”I whisper as I let her fall into my arms. “Your secret’s safe with me, at least for now, anyway.”

She tugs onto my suit jacket. “Angelo, my sister…Mia…please…”She tries to struggle but it’s fruitless. She’s no match for me, or Enzo.

I pull her close to me, her body limp and almost lifeless. “Shhhh,” I say into her hair, “the time for talking is over.”

“I hate you,” I’m sure I hear her mutter into my chest before she loses consciousness completely.

I pick her up in my arms as she goes as limp as a ragdoll. “If only that were true,” I mutter.

I carry her around to the waiting limo. I place her on the back seat and stroke her hair out of her eyes; she’s out cold.

A mixture of emotions runs through me; I feel guilty, angry, and frustrated all at the same time. But I have to believe this is for her own good.

Enzo’s face is ashen as the door closes, and I turn to look at myCarina, lying on the seat, lifeless.

“Don’t look so sad, E. She’ll come around in no time.”

He regards me coolly. “You’ve got that look about you.”

“What look?”

“That look that says all bets are off.”

I smirk. “Take her to Falmouth,” I tell Gus over the hood of the limo.

“Yes, Mr. Medici.”

I tap the roof of the limo as I watch him drive off. I keep her purse tucked under my arm for safekeeping.

Enzo meets my eye. “It’s better this way,” he says, trying to reassure me. It’s fruitless. There’s no hope for me now.

“Better than me being dead, you mean?”

How we got here isn’t necessary, all that matters is where we’re going.

And so, let the games begin.

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