Page 87 of Queen of Misfortune (Shadows of Redemption)
“Let me call,” Aria says. “Maria, can you help Elena get downstairs?”
I wrap my arm around Elena and hand the phone to Aria. “If you don’t get Donovan or Niko, call Liam,” I say, and then Maria and I assist Elena out of the bedroom and slowly descend the stairs.
It seems to take forever, but finally, we reach the foyer. From here it’s the elevator down to the garage where hopefully, a car awaits.
Elena's hand is cold in mine. It sends a chill down my spine. I’ve killed my mother. My father is next. Elena is all I have left.
A click from the elevator door sends my hopes soaring that Niko or Donovan is returning home. I make a mental note to give them hell for not calling or checking their phone for calls or texts after Elena is at the hospital.
The elevator doors slide open and Lou steps out. Not who I want to see, but he’ll do. He’s Donovan’s trusted friend. Maybe he has news of what Niko and Donovan are up to.
He stops short, as if he isn’t expecting to see us. Of course he isn’t. It’s past two in the morning.
“Elena needs to go to the hospital. Do you know where Niko is?” I ask.
He stares at me blankly, and my relief at seeing him quickly morphs into concern. Something isn’t right. He looks disheveled and confused. Terror shoots through me that perhaps he’s a lone survivor and Niko and Donovan are dead.
“Lou!” I bark out to get his attention. “Where are Niko and Donovan?”
His eyes narrow at me. In them, I see a menace that has me holding Elena and Maria back.
"Is Niko with you?" Elena's voice trembles, and I’m not sure if she can see how off Lou seems or if it’s from her fear about the babies.
Time slows as his hand moves, drawing out a gun. My breath stalls as I contemplate what’s happening. Lou holds up the gun, the barrel pointed at my head.
My pulse hammers. I’ve been scared a lot in my life, but this time, I’m truly terrified. Lou's dark eyes are devoid of any hintthat he is loyal to the Leone Family, that he’s a trusted friend to Donovan.
The air between us crackles with anticipation as I wait for what’s coming. Maria is praying. Elena is crying, and by the way she bends forward, she’s also having another cramp.
“What’s going on, Lou?” Is he on drugs? Has he been brainwashed? Or is he a traitor?
He says nothing, and I decide that the latter option is the more likely answer. And if he’s a traitor, it has to mean he’s in with my father. If I’m right about that, then he wants me.
“Are you working for my dad?”
He sneers, and I wonder why he’s not talking.
“Then take me. I’m what he wants, right? Take me and let Elena and Maria go.” I realize that Aria hasn’t come downstairs yet, and I hope that means she’s reached Niko or Donovan. I also hope it means she stays put.
I nod my head up and down, as if that will get his agreement. “Let them go, okay? I’ll stay right here.”
Upstairs, I hear movement. “Lucy?” Aria’s voice echoes down the stairs.
Lou’s attention snaps upstairs. I’m dead anyway, so I use the distraction to my advantage. I spring, using my weight and hopefully the element of surprise to tackle him. He turns to me, but it’s too late. My hands are already on him, pushing, unbalancing him. He takes a step back, but his center of gravity is off. He falls back. I fall with him, landing hard, my chin hitting the bone of his chest, making my teeth rattle. I hear what I hope is the gun skittering along the floor.
He pushes at me, but I grab on, wondering how I’ll ever overpower him. I won’t. I’m thrown like a ragdoll, landing on my side, a blast of pain radiating through my shoulder.
“Get back, motherfucker,” Aria’s voice bellows through the room.
I shake my head of the stars floating around and see her standing over him, holding the gun in shaking hands. She had to have flown down the stairs to reach us.
I stand, wobble a moment.
“Oh, God, Luce, are you okay?” Elena cries out to me.
“Yes.” I go to Aria. “Let me have the gun. I’ll deal with this.” I look at her, hoping she sees in my eyes what needs to be done and that I’m willing to do it.
Her head nods, and she hands me the gun.