Page 4 of Queen of Misfortune (Shadows of Redemption)
“What about Donovan?” I ask. “Niko doesn’t seem to go anywhere without him.” God, why do I care what happens to that giant Toady?
Liam nods. “I’ll get on it.” He turns to the other men. “You have your orders.”
"Are you sure that's wise?" the man challenges, more out of worry than defiance.
“You are asking Elena, right?” Liam says.
Another inward shout ofYes!
The men spring into motion, a testament to Liam's influence, or maybe just the realization that Elena’s determination is unbreakable.
“If Dad killed him…” She doesn’t finish the sentence.
“Don’t think of that.” I rub her back.
One of the men approaches. “We’re following your orders, but the compound is truly the safest place.”
“The last time I was on the road between the compound and here, I was driven off the road and kidnapped by the very man you say has ambushed Niko. I’m staying here.”
I nod next to my sister. I’m so pleased she has found her voice. I just hope it doesn’t get her killed.
The door crashes open, and Niko strides in. He looks fierce. He’s pissed and ready to kill someone. Maybe he already did because his shirt is covered in blood. Unless it’s his blood.
Elena rushes toward him, relief evident. But she stops short when Niko barks out to his men, "Why are they still here?"
Liam steps up to him. “They’ve been taking charge.”
I look beyond Niko, wondering about Donovan.
“Taking charge? What the fuck, Liam?” Niko stabs him with his forefinger. “You’re in charge in situations like this.”
He shrugs. “Elena had it under control. She’s the mistress?—”
“She’s leaving, remember? I gave you an order?—”
“Yeah, well, that was before you walked into Giovanni’s ambush.”
I’m finding it shocking that my father was able to pull this off. Yes, my father is a Don, but as far as I can tell, he has significant weaknesses. Weaknesses that require him to partner with other families, such as Don Tiberius Abate. Although, I believe that Niko killed Tiberius earlier tonight. That means my father is acting on his own and found a way to lure Niko to him. Could it be that my sister has distracted Niko enough to make that possible?
And what happened to Donovan?
“Where’s Donovan?” I ask.
“I want them gone,” Niko says, ignoring me. “Now.”
“I’m not going.” Elena lifts her chin in defiance. It’s a potentially deadly move.
His jaw clenches, a muscle ticking in his cheek. He moves closer to her, and I’m ready to step in and hope it doesn’t end up bad for both of us.
“What do you hope to gain by staying?” he sneers.
Elena is unable to answer.
“Whatever.” He turns away. “I’m going upstairs to clean up. We meet in my office in fifteen, then we go end that motherfucker and burn his business down.”
Niko turns to leave, and as he does, the door opens and two men enter, dragging a moaning Donovan inside. Blood seeps through his shirt over his chest.
Oh, God. Panic shoots through me.