Fuck.
“True, but he’s gone and can no longer hurt Gabby or Anthony again,” Rome says. “That’s something that’ll make you sleep easy.”
I nod, knowing he’s right.
“Ales.” Dante’s voice is tight and filled with rage. “Nikolai and Anthony are outside in the ambulance.”
I blink. What the fuck?
“He’s unconscious. I believe he’s been drugged. He’s breathing, but we’re going to have him checked out. Joe’s sitting with him right now.”
Relief washes through me. Thank fuck for that.
“Nikolai was stabbed,” Dante says as we make our way down the stairs. “He walked into that room and was ambushed. The knife sliced along his arm. He’s bleeding heavily but he’s okay. He killed the fucker and then took Anthony to safety.”
I owe the man. He’s the reason my son is safe. I’ll never be able to repay him for what he’s done.
“So,” Rome asks once we’re outside. “What did Joe want?”
Nosey fuckers. No doubt they heard what we were talking about. I stride toward the ambulance. “He wants me to take over from him in Denver. He’s going straight.”
I smile as both men are silent. I guess that shocked them just as much as Joe asking me shocked me.
I climb up into the rig and pull my son into my arms. Other than a few bruises, he’s relatively unharmed.
“We gotta talk,” Joe says in a low voice, his jaw clenched and his eyes burning with anger.
I lift my chin, letting him know that he can talk. I keep Anthony in my arms and watch the man in front of me try to compose himself.
“Christina,” he growls. “The bitch, she told Taras that Gabby was yours.” He shakes his head. “Taras’ cousin was awfully chatty. Christina told him that she was staying with you, the cuntwas sleeping with him. Pillow talk,” he grits out. “The fucking whore knew what she was doing.” He runs a shaky hand through his hair. “She’s always hated my Gabby, always hated that I had a child. I never thought she’d do this.”
I work my jaw, careful not to tighten my grip on my son. But fuck, my anger is rising once again. “How did she know Gabby was with me?”
“She followed her one day. The bitch didn’t tell Taras that she was my daughter.”
The fucking ex-wife of his is going to die. “It wasn’t your fault, Joe, don’t take that blame. None of us had any clue that she was gunning for Gabby.”
Had we known, the bitch would already be six-feet under.
Silence spreads between us and I leave him be. He’s reeling. The woman was in his bed for years, someone he married. No matter how fucked up their relationship was, this shit wasn’t okay. She’s going to get what’s coming to her.
Anthony moves in my arms and I look down at his sleeping form. Fuck. Nothing feels better than having him here. Now it’s time to take him back to his mom.
Chapter 27
Gabriella
“Those meds the doctors give you seem to be helping,” Makenna says.
The woman hasn’t left my side since Alessio left. When I first met her and saw how bitchy she was, I honestly thought she’d be someone I wouldn’t get along with, but I was wrong to judge her, just as she was with me. Makenna is actually a badass bitch who cares a hell of a lot for her family. I respect that about her. She didn’t need to stay here with me, but she did. She’s been my voice of reason and support while Alessio has been gone.
“Yeah, I’m able to stay awake now, which is good. I just wish I was able to see out of this bloody eye. It’s pissing me off.”
Her laughter is soft. “Give it time to heal, Gabs. You took one hell of a beating.”
“I know. I’m just not very patient.” It’s probably one of my worst qualities. I’m snappy, impatient, and damn right rude sometimes.
“Eh, you have every right not to be. You went through a tough time today. But Alessio and the others will be back soon with Anthony. Just have faith.”