My eye snapped open. “A serial killer left me alive, saying I was hers, how the fuck would I know who she is?” I scowled. He was right though. I was brash, hardly thought before going in guns blazing yet always managed to get the job done. My way. Pissing off people on both sides of the law had become a favorite pastime, sometimes a detrimental one.
“And you don’t find it coincidental that the Cartel bagged you the same day she targets them? Or that you happened to be at The Den the same night that shit went down?”
“Same could be said for the Colombians.”
“They’re clean.” He tapped his phone. I hadn’t even notice him giving the order to put them under fire.
“If you’re saying she planned this, I disagree because I’m pretty sure serial killers work alone, at most they’d probably have one accomplice, not a hoard of cartel assholes.”
He stayed silent for a moment, his gaze on the passing scenery. Sighing a minute later, he looked at me. “Honestly, I’m baffled too,Fratello. This is unchartered waters.” He patted my knee; his affection never lost on me. “I just want you safe, okay?”
Nodding, I stared out the window, trying to pinpoint something I’d missed. My mind went back to her scent. Why did it seem so familiar? Was she one of the many women I’d scorned after I’d fucked them? If that were the case, why would she start killing in Japan and then work her way to me.
This overthinking shit was all new to me. I had one rule in life. Focus on the now. I had no time for the past and I definitely never thought before I acted. If fucked up, I didn’t care, as long as I got what I wanted, how I wanted.
eleven
. . .
Remo– 36 years old
I must’ve dozed off because when the car rolled to a stop, and I opened my good eye, I frowned, taking in my surroundings through the haze of blood loss and exhaustion. Dim warehouse lights, the faint thud of music from somewhere I couldn’t gauge yet, the smell of steel, rot and open water permeating my nostrils before recognition dawned.
I looked at my brother. “What are we doing here?”
“You’re not going back to your apartment. You’re in no shape to work or take care of yourself and your arrogance will only piss off Rayden at my place.”
“Alessia’s not a nurse.”
“She’s not an idiot either. And you’ll listen to her more than you’ll listen to me.”
I didn’t argue. I didn’t have the strength to. And maybe a small part of me didn’t mind. Alessia was family and the only person to test my patience and live. A sudden blur of dark purple and steel flashed, and I knew I’d now need to rethink that premise. If anything, Alessia wouldn’t sugarcoat shit and keepanyone from hovering like vultures or treating me like a fragile relic.
“Fine.” I grunted, voice sandpaper. Lorenzo got out and came around to my side, opened the door and leaned in. “I can walk.”
He snorted. “You can barely breathe.” He hauled me upright and my legs buckled. I bit back a groan as white-hot pain shot down my ribs.
“I got you.” Gian stepped up to other side, sliding my arm around his shoulder.
The warehouse door slid open before we reached it. Alessia stood there in leggings and a sports bra, her hair in a messy braid, sweat on her brow from training. When she saw us, she smiled until she noticed me and her face drained of color.
“Remo?” she whispered. Then louder, more furious, terrified. “Remo, what happened to you?”
I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. My knees gave out again. She darted forward even though Lorenzo and Gian held me tight.
Her hands shook as she palmed my cheek, but her voice didn’t when she snapped at my brother. “What the hell happened to him?”
“Long story,” he said and I smirked, aware he’d killed people for lesser respect. “Doctor’s on his way.”
She glared at him like she was about two seconds from biting his throat out. “You should’ve taken him to a hospital.”
“And have the whole city know our fierce underboss is compromised?”
If I no one knew, they’d easily call these two a real couple. She clenched her jaw, torn between anger and fear, then she looked at me, eyes wide, tears threatening.
“Come on.” She guided us to the bed she used for post-training naps.
Lorenzo and Gian helped me down, the latter quick to remove my shoes and place my legs on the bed. I could tell hewas kicking himself for not being with me. My shirt was already soaked with fresh blood, sticking to my skin like a second layer of pain. Alessia hovered over me, hands trembling as she tried to peel it away.
