I lift my chin and look up at him standing at the end of my bed. He’s got his tatted arms crossed over his chest and legs spread wide. He’s dressed in a black T-shirt and faded blue jeans. His jaw is so sharp it could cut glass. He looks extremely pissed. And he’s going to want to kill me after I tell him what I know, but he deserves to know the truth. I may have been born into the Mafia, but I don’t live by their moral code. I will not die protecting my father’s secrets. “They came to me. Told me this would happen.”
“Who the fuck is they, Mia?” he growls.
I ignore his impatience. “They want Kingdom,” I say instead.
He snorts. I guess this isn’t a surprise. Like my brother has a long list of enemies, I’m guessing the Kings do as well.
“Mia!” he shouts, and I flinch.
“My father,” I rush out, looking at him through my dark lashes, and add softly, “he wants your Kingdom.”
He just stares at me with a look of annoyance in his cold eyes. I’m nothing more than a problem for him. Just like I am for everyone else.
Licking my busted lip, I sigh. “A few days ago, my brothers came to me—the twins and Matteo—and told me to go back to you. To do whatever was necessary to make you fall in love with me and marry me.” I sniff. “My father wants you dead along with the rest of the Kings. He wants your Kingdom,” I lower my voice. “And he wants me to do it.”
His silence continues.
“I wasn’t going to do it.” I shake my head, unable to meet his eyes after my confession. How stupid my father must think Bones is to fall for me—a woman he didn’t even know existed. He knows that I have no experience. He kissed me, and I froze. I didn’t even know what to do. I have nothing to offer other than my body. A woman is only good for one thing in my family. And I’m sure Bones gets that anywhere. “I swear. I—”
“How are you feeling, miss?” a nurse enters the room asking, and I’m thankful for the interruption. It’s hard to breathe in here with Bones also occupying the room. I need some space and fresh air. It’s like I’m back in the limo with his hand around my throat.
“Fine.” I throw the blanket off me. “How is Luca?”
“He just got out of surgery and is being moved to the ICU. The doctor will come and speak to you further about it.”
I nod.
“This is good news, miss.”
“Thank you. May I see him?” I ask.
She gives me a kind smile. Practiced to perfection. I feel she’d give me the same if she had to tell me he’d passed away due to his injuries. “I’m sorry, but not at the moment.”
The door closes, and I’m left alone with him once again. I can’t even meet his eyes now. Too ashamed. Embarrassed. Luca is all that I have, and my own family wanted to take him from me. How far will they go now if Luca dies? They’ll blame me for that as well.
BONES
“SAY SOMETHING,” SHE whispers, keeping her eyes on the bed.
I have nothing to say. I know what her father wants. Does she think he just decided to take what’s mine? He’s not going to get it. No matter how much pussy he tries to throw at me.
I uncross my arms and run my hand through my hair. My newest concern is her and my best friend, who is fighting for his life.
Three days ago, they showed up and smacked her around. Informed her she would pay the ultimate price for not obeying their command. “Why didn’t you call me?”
Her eyes slowly look up to meet mine.
“Why didn’t you call me when they showed up at the house? I told you to call me if you needed anything.” I had only left her one number in her cell, and it was under Dillan. I was afraid if she knew me as Bones, she would have been too afraid to reach out to me. I thought Dillan made me sound more relatable and kind. Thinking about it now, I realize that sounds stupid since I almost choked her out and then drugged her.
“You kidnapped me. Drugged me,” she growls, hearing my thoughts, and my eyes narrow on her. “Then shipped me away. Why would I call someone who didn’t want anything to do with me?”
I fist my hands. I did that to save her. To get her as far away from me as possible, yet here she is with bruises. They used Luca to get what they wanted. How far are they willing to go?
She glares up at me, looking so small in that big bed. Her dark hair is down and tangled in multiple places. Her silvery-blue eyes look dull and tired. Her pouty lips are dry. She looks as malnourished as she was when I bought her. Why hasn’t she been taking care of herself? “How long were they there?” I ask instead, needing to know the details.