Page 30 of Queen of Misfortune (Shadows of Redemption)
Elena's face brightens and beside her, Niko captures her hand in his, his thumb stroking her skin with tenderness. I study them for a moment, recognizing the genuine affection that exists despite the darkness and danger that consume much of Niko’s world.
"I've got something special planned," Niko says, his eyes never leaving Elena.
“Oh? What?”
His brows rise with a hint of mischief. “It’s a secret.”
Elena laughs, and I’m so happy to hear it. I still don’t know about Niko, but if he can make her smile and laugh, then I have to accept him.
After dinner, I head up to my room, inviting Elena to join me for a surprise I have for her. I reach for a soft cotton baby onesie and hold it out to Elena.
“Isn’t it adorable?” I ask.
“Aww. It’s so cute.” She takes the onesie, her eyes, looking more and more motherly all the time, taking it in.
“Plus, I got all this.” I show her the items I’ve laid out on my bed.
She hugs me. “Thank you. These are so cute. But Lucy, you shouldn't have gone out. It's not safe.”
"Relax, Toady was with me," I say, a nickname for Donovan that drips with disdain yet betrays my constant awareness of him.
Elena's smirk cuts through the cool air between us. "You know, everyone thinks Donovan has a thing for you."
My heart clenches, but I brush off her words because it’s not true. I’m a pawn. A toy. A thing he chose to put in its place.
“I can’t imagine why.”
“It’s probably how he looks at you. Or maybe how he likes to tease you.”
I gape. “You don’t think that too, do you?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know. I mean I don’t know Donovan very well. He always seems like a jokester to me.”
“He’s a joke, all right,” I mutter, folding up the clothes I bought for Elena’s twins.
“You seem upset. Did he do something?”
Yeah. He kissed me and then humiliated me. “He’s breathing, isn’t he? That's all it takes.”
Elena rolls her eyes. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you liked him.”
“Your hormones are messing with your mind.”
She laughs, and I hope she doesn’t see through me.
Later in bed,I toss again, the sheets tangling around my legs. The room is dark, save for the sliver of moonlight that creeps across the room. I should be exhausted, but instead, I’m keyed up. Donovan’s kiss lingers on my lips like an imprint. My fingers brush against my mouth, half expecting to feel the pressure of his all over again.
I roll onto my back and stare at the ceiling. This place, this opulent prison, suddenly feels too small. I can’t escape him. He’s everywhere. Maybe it’s time to think about going back to Italy.I’m dead weight, really. I use up resources I’m sure Niko would rather have for Elena. It would be easier for Donovan to protect one woman rather than two. And Elena doesn’t need me. I can see that she’s a strong woman. She has Niko and her twins on the way.
So maybe it’s time to return to Italy. With Giuseppe gone, what's left for me is only closure, not a future. But here…
Unable to sleep, I decide to call Luca. It’s early in the morning in Italy, but I know he’s up. I put on my robe and head downstairs. The house is quiet, and I almost feel like I’m sneaking around. I hope none of Niko’s men think that.
I pause outside Niko's office, watching through the half-open door. He hunches over his desk, his focus on the papers scattered before him.
Taking a quiet breath, I tap softly on the open door. His head snaps up, eyes narrowing slightly as he sees me.
"Can't sleep either?"