I’m starting to feel delirious. I think I’m seeing things that aren’t really there. I can’t be sure. One minute, the figure is standing in the corner of the bedroom, and the next, it’s gone.
Dillan had left me with money and a credit card, but I’m not sure where to go. I walk into town. It’s just a couple of miles away, and I enjoy the sun and fresh air. Well, I did.
When I woke up from my beating, I crawled to the bathroom, took a hot bath, then got into bed. This is the first time I’ve ventured out of it since. I needed to see the ocean, hear the waves, and breathe the fresh sea air. The beautiful house has been tainted. It’s no longer safe, and I have no idea where to go.
My body hurts. Sometimes it’s hard to breathe. I had a headache for a day straight, but it finally went away. I’m not sure how much longer I can do this. Stay up and worry about when they’ll show up again.
I’m tired. Exhausted.
I need to call Luca. Dillan and Luca said not to call him, but things have changed. Dillan said Luca had him take me to keep me safe. I’m no longer safe. I’m not going to call Dillan. But maybe Luca can talk to him for me? If I call Luca and tell him everything, he could warn Dillan what my brothers and dad plan on doing. Tell him everything that I know so he has a heads-up. I don’t want Dillan to die or to put the other Kings in danger. I’m not a killer like my father raised my brothers to be. But mainly, I don’t want to see my father win. He doesn’t deserve Kingdom. And if I don’t get it for him, he’ll go a different route.
Making up my mind, I push myself up to stand and make my way into the house on wobbly legs. I keep all the lights on at all times. I stumble down the hallway to the last door on the right. My cell sits on the nightstand. My only way to communicate with a world that keeps trying to get rid of me.
I haven’t tried to call Luca since he told me not to. I just pray that he answers. Maybe I’ll feel better after I talk to him. Maybe I’ll be able to sleep once I hear his voice.
It rings once … twice … and I bite my busted lip. My stomach falls at the thought he’ll ignore me.
“Hello?” a female voice answers.
“Haven?” I ask, my heart racing. Why is she answering his cell?
“Yes.” She sniffs. “Who is this?”
“It’s me, Mia.” The fact that Luca didn’t have this number saved in his phone just further proves what he had said to me when I called him. He had no intention of ever talking to me again. “I was calling to talk to my brother.”
“Oh, my God …” she chokes out. “Mia. Luca … Luca’s in trouble.”
BONES
“HERE,” I SAY, handing Haven a cup of coffee.
“Thanks.” She takes it with a yawn while wiping her tear-streaked face with her free hand.
I hand Emilee—Titan’s wife—hers, and she thanks me before she returns to rubbing Haven’s back.
We’ve been at the hospital for hours now. The sun will be coming up soon, and I’m on my third cup of coffee. The caffeine doesn’t seem to be working. I’m not usually one of those guys who needs a lot of sleep, but the adrenaline has worn off, and it took what little energy I had left with it.
They have us sitting in a private room. When we arrived, a nurse was already sitting with Haven and got us up to speed on his condition. Titan took the time to get NDAs signed by anyone who had seen or heard that Luca was here except for those working on him at the moment. They will have to sign once he’s out of surgery.
I walk over to the seats across from Emilee and Haven, sitting next to Titan.
“Who do you think did this?” he asks me softly so the girls can’t hear. We don’t want to worry Haven. But I’m sure the thought has already crossed her mind—is she next?
I shake my head, unable to answer that. The list is a mile long. You’re not a part of the Mafia without having a hit out on you. Leaning in, I make sure to speak equally quiet. “Once we get word on his condition, I’ll go up to Glass and see what I can find.”
Our friend was shot. Multiple times. As far as we know, he didn’t fire his weapon, which makes me think it was personal. Whoever did it knew where he’d be, and they wanted him to feel comfortable. Not aware of any threat. Otherwise, we’d be taking care of the dead body of the sorry bastard right now instead of waiting on word if Luca is going to live or die.