I looked around me. I was in the hospital. I tried to sit up, but something was attached to my arm. Wires that went to a drip bag and monitors.
“Easy there, pet. You need your rest,” Marcus said, offering a kind smile.
“Why am I here? I’m fine.”
“No, you aren’t. You have a broken rib, and you were severely dehydrated,” Claudius answered. “The doctors wanted to keep you for observation.”
I looked at everyone. “Thank you all so much for coming.”
“Don’t mention it,” Max replied.
“Like we wouldn’t,” Sinclaire offered. “Next time, if the damn golden eagle isn’t riding the horse, promise me you won’t tell me it is.”
“I promise.” I gave him a weak smile and looked to Gigi, who moved closer to take my hand.
She looked a little off. In fact, they all did, and I looked around them for Luc.
He wasn’t there. “Where’s Luc?”
When Gigi’s eyes filled with a wealth of sadness, I knew something else had happened. Something more.
“Amelia.” Marcus cleared his throat. “Victor leaked some stuff to the feds, and the police came to take Luc away this morning.”
My eyes widened, and I sucked in a sharp breath. “What? No, what stuff?”
“How about you rest up, and we talk about it in a little while. Doctors said you may be good to come home tomorrow.”
“No, I want to talk now.” My heart started galloping, and my muscles tensed.
“Trust me, princess,” Claudius intoned. “It’s best not to.”
I looked from him to Sinclaire and Max. Both had that solemn look on their faces.
It told me everything.
Luc was a mobster. Of course, he should be locked up.
What did I expect?
* * *
Luc
* * *
I was surprised I hadn’t ended up here before now.
Very surprised.
I guess it was just a matter of time before I got what was coming to me.
Me behind bars.
I was sitting on the metal bench of a jail cell at the Chicago Police Department. I wasn’t where I should have been. With Amelia, by her side, making sure she was okay. Or even with my men, grieving our losses. We came out strong but we took hits and several guys lost their lives.
I was here now.
Helpless. Again.
