Page 88 of Queen of Misfortune (Shadows of Redemption)

Lou moves to stand, but I kick him where it counts.

“You fucking cunt!” he yells, grabbing at his dick.

“I’ll blow it off if you move again.”

I turn to Maria and Elena. “Get in the elevator. Now. Aria, help them.”

Aria pokes the button and waves Elena and Maria toward them. Maria nods, her face ashen, while Elena's lips press into a thin line. It occurs to me that my father wanted to raise docile, subservient women, but Elena and I are strong.

I turn my attention to Lou. “You know I’m not afraid to use this, right? Donovan told you what I did to my mother.”

“Go fuck yourself.”

“Where are Donovan and Niko?”

He sneers at me. “I hope your father sells you to someone who loves S-and-M.”

“Maybe he will. Where is he?” If Donovan and Niko are in trouble, chances are it’s because of my father.

“I’m not telling you nothing.”

I look at him in disgust. “Fine.” I fire a bullet into his head. I wait a moment, to make sure he’s dead, and then I stride toward the elevator. Aria is holding the door while Elena and Maria stand in the back.

I poke the button for the garage. “Is everyone okay?”

“Thanks to you,” Aria says.

“And you, Ari.” Elena puts her hand on Aria’s arm. “The way you got that gun.”

I nod. “Thank God you did.”

When the doors open again, we spill into the underground garage. I go first because I don’t know whether Lou has accomplices.

One of Niko’s men steps into our path. We gasp, and I hold up the gun.

He raises his hands in surrender. “Is there a problem, Mrs. Ricci?”

“Who do you work for?” I demand.

He looks at me like I’ve grown a horn on my head. “Don Leone.”

“Did you let Lou up?”

He nods. “He said he was sent to protect you.”

“He tried to kill me.”

“What the fuck?” Another of Niko’s men steps into the light.

“Do you know where Niko and Donovan are?” I ask, hoping the adrenaline keeps pumping because it’s the only thing keeping me from losing it.

“Somewhere in New Jersey, but we don’t have the details.”

“Is our car ready? I’ve got to get Elena to the hospital.”

“Yes. I’ll drive?—”

I wave the gun at him. “I’ll drive. We go alone. I can’t trust anyone right now.”