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“And Christina?” I ask.
“She’s how they get to us. We need to retaliate,” Nico says, his hands clenched into fists at his sides as his eyes darken with anger.
Alec nods. “I think Albert’s working on it—”
“We need to work on it,” Nico interrupts.
“Look. We have to stick together,” I say, hoping to stop their fight before it can start. “We work together, so we’re prepared for anything.”
Nico nods, visibly trying to reign in his emotions.
I get it. I want to scream and rip the man’s head from his neck myself. But reactionary violence isn’t going to solve this problem.
“It’s the only way we’ll get through this, watching each other’s backs,” I say. I run a hand through my hair. I hate the warm layer of sweat that coats my skin from being in this musty room.
I want to go home.
I want to see Christina.
“We’ll think of something,” Alec says. “If she’s important to you—”
“She’s not just important to us. She’s everything to us,” I say, trying to head Nico off, seeing the flash in his gaze.
Alec looks nervously between us, trying to work out the unsaid meaning.
“She’s our woman,” I say, sighing. I’m tired of all this too. The sooner everyone knows, the better. There’s no safety in keeping this secret.
“And no one will fucking touch her,” Nico adds.
Obviously.
Alec shoves his hands into his pockets. “Then we’ll do whatever it takes to protect her.”
There’s nothing left to say. I step aside, hoping that Nico’s calmed down enough. We need to get home. I won’t be able to think here.
“Are you okay?” I ask, looking at him to be certain.
“As good as I can be.”
I lead the way out to the car.
Despite all my words, I can’t shake the feeling of unease that hangs heavy in the air between us.
The calm before the storm.
I shoot Christina a text, not to warn her, just to make sure she’s okay. Because I know that no matter what happens next, it’s going to feel as if her entire world is upending once again.
27
Christina
Something has happened and I have a sinking feeling that this all somehow involves me. Both Nico and Enzo left early this morning, as did Albert. Mom woke me up at seven and told me we needed to be ready.
Ready for what? Why is she even here so early? I thought she was going to be gone with Albert until much later.
I watch, yawning, as she paces restlessly around the living room. I’ve never seen her like this.
She’s normally very composed. Right now, she looks…nervous.
