Page 10 of Queen of Misfortune (Shadows of Redemption)
"I wish I could. The motherfucker slipped through our fingers." Niko clenches his fist. "Right now, we’re cleaning up the mess and dealing with the Abate territory. We’re giving Giovanni a false sense of security."
“No shit? You’re letting him off?”
“No.” Niko’s voice turns lethal. “We’re regrouping and letting him savor what he thinks is a win. In the background, we’re preparing to wipe him off the face of the earth.”
Good. I remember before being ambushed, Niko’s distraction over Elena. I have a feeling he loves her, but I also have a foggy memory of him telling her he wanted her gone.
"Is Elena okay?"
The change in Niko is instant. From a lethal killer to a man filled with sunshine. “She’s safe.”
Liam snickers.
I look at him and then Niko. “What?”
“I’m marrying her,” Niko says.
“Makes sense. Good way to get at Giovanni?—”
“I’m in love with her. And…” Niko looks at Liam. “I haven’t announced this, but since you’re family, brothers to me, I’ll tell you. She’s pregnant with twins.”
Liam’s brows rise to his hairline. “No shit?”
“Romeo’s?”
Niko’s eyes narrow, and all of a sudden, I worry he’s going to throttle me. “Mine!”
“Ah, okay… good. I’m happy for you.” I look to Liam for help, but he just shakes his head.
“You should get some rest.” Niko pats my shoulder, and I wince as a pain lances through my chest.
“Wait… how did we get out?”
“Backup arrived. We got you here, but… fucking hell, Donovan.” Niko scrapes his hand over his face. “I thought you were dead.”
“Lucia saved you,” Liam says.
"Lucy.” I smile at her name.
"She stopped the bleeding, pulled out the bullet. All before the doctor could make it here,” Liam finishes.
Lucy? My heart stutters. I want to think she helped me because she feels the pull between us, but I’m no romantic. I know she hates me. Another foggy memory returns of her telling me she only helped me because of Niko and Elena.
"Rest up," Niko says. “We've got a mess to clean and Giovanni to hunt down. And… I want both you and Liam to stand up for me when I marry Elena, which I want to do ASAP. She needs the added protection now that she’s carrying my children.”
“I’m honored, Boss.”
He smiled. “You’re my brother, Donovan. You and Liam. Now, rest.”
I nod in acknowledgment, but my mind reels with thoughts of getting back to work. I don’t want to rest, but my body isscreaming at me to stay put. I close my eyes and give in to the darkness.
The dream gods take mercy on me and bring Lucy to me. I think it’s a memory when I reach out and take her wrist.
"Knew you… liked me."
She leans in close, close enough that I can feel her warm breath on my clammy skin, her electric energy zapping along my nerves. "In your dreams, Toady.” She moves away, and I hate the loss of her nearness. “You think this is because I like you? Listen to me, Donovan Ricci. I only helped you because you're important to Niko, and he… he's important to Elena. That and I hate the idea of my father winning. That's the only reason.”
I think she protests too much, but I’m too out of it to say more than to ask her to stay. “This toady needs you…”