Page 76 of Queen of Misfortune (Shadows of Redemption)

I take the gun from him. The feel of it is empowering, and yet, I know doing this could change me in a way I don’t know I can accept.

"Kill them, Lucia. Kill Donovan and Niko. It's our only way out."

I laugh derisively. “You betrayed me and sold me, and now you want me to save you? From the two men who have shown me and Elena kindness?” I lift the gun, pointing the barrel at my mother’s head. Elena's face flashes in my mind. Could she forgive this?

A glance at my mother reveals a crack in her veneer. Her breath hitches.

"Did you ever love me?" I ask again.

“Yes, of course, Lucia.”

She’s lying.

I hold the gun steady despite the storm raging inside me.

“I’m your mother. I tried to protect you.”

More lies.

A calm settles over me. She must see it as her eyes widen.

"Goodbye, Mother." I feel nothing as I pull the trigger. The sound is deafening. Her body slumps. Silence envelops me. I’ve killed my mother. There's no triumph, no satisfaction—only the acknowledgement that from this point forward, I’m free of her.

Across the room, Niko leans against the wall, his arms folded across his chest. The corner of his mouth lifts in what could pass for approval—or maybe it's admiration. He inclines his head, an imperceptible nod that suggests respect. His gesture doesn't fill me with warmth or a sense of accomplishment. Instead, it's a reminder of the violent world we inhabit.

Donovan approaches me. There's no smile on his lips, no glimmer of pride in his eye. For a moment, I wonder if this changes things for him. But when I look carefully, I see understanding.

"Lucy.” He takes the gun from me, holstering it. “Let’s go home.” He extends his hand. It feels like a lifeline, so I take it.

“I’ll deal with this,” Niko says.

“Thank you.” I meet Niko’s eyes, and for the first time, I feel like he doesn’t look at me with suspicion. For the first time, I don’t look at him that way, either.

Donovan leads me to the stairs, and a cold chill runs through me. As if he knows, Donovan's grip on my hand tightens just slightly, reminding me that I’m not alone. The question now is, will Elena forgive me for what I’ve done?

25

DONOVAN

Iescort Lucy out of the basement and up the stairs. My mind is whirling as I replay Lucy’s taking her life back by confronting her mother and then killing her. I glance at her, wondering how this will impact her. The protective part of me wishes I’d done it so Lucy didn’t have to deal with the ramifications of taking a life.

We make our way through the back of the pizzeria. Lou sees us and stands ready.

“Let’s go,” I say.

With a nod, he precedes us out the back door into the alley where a car waits. I help Lucy into the back seat before sliding in beside her.

“Take us back to the penthouse,” I tell Lou, who’s in the front seat, ready to drive.

My gaze latches onto Lucy. She’s quiet. Distant. Did she ever pull a trigger before tonight? If so, was it out of protection or like tonight, justice? Based on her reaction now, I suspect that she’s never pulled a trigger, but I remember that she’s seen it. Her father killed a man in front of her as punishment.

"Lucy."

She turns her head slightly, acknowledging me without really seeing me.

“You’re fucking awesome. You faced the devil and didn't flinch." I take her hand, lifting and pressing my lips to her knuckles. "You took back control tonight.”

I squeeze her hand, offering up all the reassurance I can muster, hoping she feels the truth behind my words—that I'm proud of her, that she's not alone in this fight.