Page 94 of Queen of Misfortune (Shadows of Redemption)
I flip up the lid and turn on the phone. I hold it up to his face to unlock it and then scroll through his list of contacts searching for any clue as to who this man works for. I’m relieved when I don’t see Donovan’s name, followed by guilt for questioning him.
I stare at him. "Who are you really working for?"
“Go to hell.”
I consider shooting him, but on the off chance I still need him, I whap him with the butt of the gun, twice, before he slumps in the seat.
I’m going to die. Even so, I exit the car and stride into the warehouse. At first, I note that it’s mostly empty. But then I see them and I stop short.
My father stands over Kate, who’s tied to a chair and sobbing.
“You’re not as valuable as my Lucia was, but she’s dead now. You’ll do as compensation.” Giovanni sneers. His back is to me, oblivious to my approach. "You'll fetch a nice price."
"Father." My voice echoes through the building.
He whirls around. The shock on his face morphs quickly into rage. "Lucia? You’re supposed to be dead.”
“Sorry to disappoint you again.”
His gun turns on me, but I fire first. The sound ricochets off the warehouse walls. He stumbles backward, his face contorted with shock. But he quickly recovers, lifting his gun toward me. I fire again, and he falls to the ground, his hand on his chest as blood oozes through his fingers.
I move to him, picking up his gun. Then I turn to Kate, who’s gone quiet and is pale. “Give me a minute and I’ll untie you.”
Her head bobs up and down.
I stand over my father. “How does it feel to have no control? To have your life in someone else’s hands?”
“You won’t kill me.”
“Haven’t you heard? I’m the one who killed Mother.”
His eyes widen in surprise. Then he laughs. “You’re like her, you know. Bloodthirsty. Power hungry.”
I shake my head. “I’m willing to kill, yes, but I’m not bloodthirsty. I have a heart. I’m capable of love.” Of all the things I’ve learned about myself since returning to the States, it's that. I can love. I love Donovan.
“Where are Niko and Donovan?”
He shakes his head. “I’ll never tell.”
Dammit. But I don’t let him see my frustration. “Funny. That’s what Mom said right before I killed her.”
I point my gun at my father’s head and I pull the trigger. Giovanni Fiori, the man who gave me life only to shackle it, lies still.
I’m free.
I savor the feeling for a moment and then go to Kate. My fingers work fast, breaking through the ties.
Her breaths come out in hurried gasps, and I’m concerned she’ll hyperventilate.
"Kate, look at me," I urge softly, cupping her face to get her attention. "Are you hurt?"
She shakes her head. "It’s Liam… he's?—"
“He’s what?” Did Liam betray Niko?
Her eyes, wide and glistening with tears, latch onto mine. "A Russian man—he took me from where I was staying."
"Liam?” He’s Russian. I know he has ties to Bratva.