My office. The safest place in her mind. They just haven’t thought of looking here yet. The realization made my chest ache even as adrenaline surged through me. If Mendez had killedRhea's security detail and attempted to assault her, this wasn't just a power play anymore. This was open warfare.
I reached for my phone. I nodded, my mind whirling. "Alright, let's get you cleaned up and hidden away. We'll figure out our next steps." As I moved to stand, I felt her hand tighten on mine, a silent plea for reassurance. Rage boiled in my veins, hot and clarifying. Don Azzaro had signed his own death warrant. "Your brother needs to know."
She nodded, releasing my wrist. "But we need to be careful. If Father suspects Gavriel knows . . ."
I finished cleaning her visible wounds and carefully examined her arm. "I think it's just badly sprained, not broken. But we should still get an X-ray when it's safe." I wrapped it tightly with an elastic bandage from the kit. "For now, we need to get you somewhere more secure. Mendez might think to check here eventually."
"Where?" The fear in her eyes made her look younger, vulnerable in a way the normally poised Rhea Azzaro never allowed herself to be.
I pulled out my phone and sent a quick text to Harley.
Elin: Need you in my office. Now. Emergency.
"First, we get you cleaned up," I said, helping her to her feet. When she stood, I realized just how dirty she was and sighed. " You are going to need more than a wipe down. There's a shower in my bathroom. Then we move you to a safe location while we contact Gavriel."
As I guided her toward the bathroom, Rhea suddenly stopped. "Elin," she said, her voice steadier than it had been. "When this is over . . . I want my father dead."
I met her gaze, seeing in it the same cold determination I felt in my own heart. "Get in line."
We both jumped at a sharp knock on the office door—three quick raps that cut through the silence like gunshots. Quietlyand quickly, I reached into the closet, fingers closing around the cold metal of my Glock. I drew it in one fluid motion, the weight familiar and deadly in my palm. With my free hand, I motioned for Rhea to stay down, pressing my index finger to my lips as her eyes widened with fresh terror.
"Elin?" Gavriel's voice called. "It's me."
I unlocked the door, stepping back as Gavriel entered with Harley shadowing him. Gavriel froze mid-step when he spotted Rhea. His jaw clenched so tight, a muscle twitched beneath his skin, and his eyes flashed like lightning. His hands curled into fists, then deliberately relaxed as he approached her. “Fuck! Are you okay?”
She shrugged. “Better since Elin patched me up. She wants to take me to the hospital, but fuck that. Dad would have me before I got checked in.”
Harley turned toward me and gave me a nod. “I was on my way out when he was finishing up with Don Azzaro. Told him I got an urgent text from you, and well. . . here we are.”
“Yeah, and Father is in a right mood.” Gavriel reached for her, running his fingers over her wounds softly and slowly, noting each mark before examining the purple swelling around her eye.
"I'm going to kill him," he said softly, the quiet promise more terrifying than any shouted threat. "I'm going to kill him, bring him back and kill him again."
“She thought you would be safer from Ezequiel if you didn’t know.” I looked at Rhea, giving her an even look. “But I was going to tell you anyway after we got her settled.”
“Traitor,” she muttered.
Letting a smirk cross my face, I said, “Yeah, but you love me.”
“Yeah. I do.” The roll of her good eye broadened my smile and even had Gav looking at me with appreciation.
Before long, she was curled up on the couch fast asleep. Gavriel came over and pulled me close to him, kissing the top ofmy head. His muscles relaxed slightly as he held me and let out a long, calm breath. “Thank you.”
“Of course. She was scared when I came in. She’d just watched her whole security team get shot down, and Mendez attempted to rape her.” I ground my teeth.
I felt his breathing pick up as he looked back at his sleeping sister. “Easy . . .” I placed my hand on his forearm, and I felt his taut muscles move as he flexed and balled his hand repeatedly. For a moment, I thought he might ignore my warning, but then his shoulders sagged slightly.
When he turned back toward Rhea, his whole body was tight as a drum and radiated rage that would have broken lesser men in two. I was watching him so closely that I jumped when Harley stepped up beside us. “You two need anything else right now?”
I shook my head. “No. We’ll keep her here until it’s safe to move.”
Gavriel’s attention snapped over to Harley. “Don’t go far. Office in ten. We’ll hash out the plan.”
Harley nodded once and left as quietly as he’d come. The door clicked shut, and the room seemed to exhale. Gavriel’s energy shifted, like a dog straining against its leash. I tightened my grip on his arm, grounding him before he did something we’d both regret.
Rhea stirred, twisting beneath the blanket. Her breathing was slow, but every few seconds her good hand flexed over the bandaged one, as if she needed to confirm she still existed. I recognized that twitch. The body’s desperate check on reality after fresh trauma.
Gavriel moved to his knees beside her, his hands hovering over her hair without daring to touch. My throat clenched at the tenderness in his posture.
