Page 19 of Queen of Misfortune (Shadows of Redemption)
Instinctively, I press my hand over it. “Fine. Doc says the problem was the blood loss, not the wound itself. I’m feeling good. I even worked out this morning.” Of course, it hurt like hell, and I had to change my bandage as I’d reopened the wound. “I’m ready to get back to work.”
“Your job for right now is to keep Elena and Lucia safe.”
Fucking hell. I must be making a face as Niko’s brow arches like he’s ready for me to argue with him. I’m close enough to him that I can question him without worrying he’ll shoot me. Usually.
“That's what I've been reduced to? Babysitting?" Frustration seeps into my words.
“You think protecting women is unimportant?”
“I think I can be a better use to you doing something else. You have plenty of others who can babysit.”
“Mikey babysat, and look what happened to him.”
My jaw tightens. Elena talked Mikey into driving her from the compound in Long Island to the city. Giovanni’s men forced them off the road, put a bullet in Mikey’s forehead, and kidnapped Elena and Lucy.
“He was young and inexperienced. You have plenty of other men who won’t let the women talk them into doing something stupid.”
Again, his dark eyes scrutinize me. I do my best to hold my own against it.
“What would you say is most important to me?" he asks.
His question is loaded. Until recently, I’d have said vengeance for the murders of his mother and brother. But we’re talking about Elena and Lucy right now, so I have to consider his priorities have changed.
“Elena.”
"Exactly." His voice softens in a way that not many others see. At this moment, he’s a man, not a Don. “Elena and the twins are my world, Donovan, and I’m entrusting their safety to you, the one man I know I can trust."
I feel the weight of his gaze and the meaning to his words. This is an honor.
I nod. “Of course. I’m honored. What about Lucy?”
His lips twitch up slightly like he’s amused. What the fuck for?
“She stays because Elena wants her here, so yes, you’re watching out for her as well. It could be more difficult as she’s obstinate, but at the same time, she understands her place and that if she steps out of line, I have no qualms about sending her back to Luca. I think she’ll behave for Elena’s sake.”
“I understand.” And I do. I’m nothing if not a good soldier. I know my place.
"Good." Niko leans forward, letting me know that his next words are deadly serious. “Because Donovan. You're the last line of defense. I expect you to hold, with your life if needed."
“That goes without saying, Boss.”
His features soften as he sits back again. “I know. I trust you with everything. But don’t think I’m just expecting you to fall in line. I have plans for you, my friend.”
That could mean just about anything. A bonus. Taking over an area of the business.
“Right now, we’re letting Giovanni think he’s won. He might think you’re dead, or at least out for the count.”
I nod even though on the inside, I hate the idea of anyone, much less Giovanni Fiori, believing I’ve been bested. I wonder what he’d think if he knew his daughter had nursed me back to health. That I’d had a wet dream involving fucking her.
“When the time comes and Giovanni is dead, the Fiori operations will be yours.”
My pulse doesn't just skip, it trips over itself in shock. It takes several seconds for his words to sink in. He's offering me a crown. My own empire.
“Mine?”
"You've got the instincts for it. The respect. The loyalty of our men. When you eliminate Giovanni, you're not just ending a threat—you're stepping into a role you were born to play."
"Boss." It has a nice ring, although one I never thought I’d hear referencing me.