Page 97 of The Masked King

When I glance at Bianca, her eyes are averted, and this makes me squirm more than Malevsky with his on-off lighter spark. It feels like she’s giving us a moment of privacy because she knows we won’t make it.

Any of us.

“Ready.” I jut my chin and square my shoulders.

Bianca can wallow in negativity if she chooses to; I’ve survived Malevsky this far, and I’m not giving up now. Even if it means breaking my promise to Enzo.

Enzo leads the way, skirting around the three bodies in the hallway outside the room, one of whom I recognize as Luis, Enzo’s driver and bodyguard, with a hole in his temple, vacant eyes staring at the ceiling.

Fuck!

Adrenaline pumps through my veins as I follow Enzo through the house, Bianca behind me, the sounds of gunfire seemingly coming from all directions, but far enough away for me to believe Gio might’ve lured the Bratva outside.

Enzo hesitates when we reach the foyer, aiming his gun at the upper level which is hazy with smoke although there are no signs of a recent fire.

“What is it?” I ask.

He peers at me, and his brow furrows when his gaze reaches past me to Bianca.

I turn around and I understand why.

Bianca is gone.

25

ENZO

“I didn’t hear her leave.” Demi’s eyes widen my way, her pupils enlarging when she looks at me despite everything going on around us.

I want to carry her out of here in my arms and keep on walking until we’re somewhere safe, somewhere the fucking Bratva will never find us, a cave if that’s what it will take to ensure she never comes to any harm. But that’s not real life, and I have a promise to fulfill.

“It isn’t your fault. Bianca makes her own choices.”

Demi shakes her head. “Do you think she’s gone to Malevsky?”

“Only one way to find out.”

Neither of us moves. I’ve waited twelve months for this moment, and never expected it to happen this way, but there’s no one else I would rather fight for. Not even my brother.

I go to her, tilt her chin towards me, and kiss her softly. “I love you, Demi. I never stopped loving you, and even if this is the last time I get to say it⁠—”

“Don’t.” Demi swallows hard, tears squeezing from the corners of her eyes. “Save it for when this is over.”

“Deal.”

I peer around the foyer where I had to climb over bodies earlier to get to Demi. The empty foyer where all that remains is an empty smoke canister and a shitload of blood drying on the floor and the walls.

“They moved the bodies,” I say more to myself than to Demi.

There’s no time to explain. I haven’t acknowledged the momentary lull in the battle taking place nearby until it starts again, only this time it’s coming closer. From all directions.

“Which way?” Demi asks.

Behind us is the piano room soaked in gasoline and with no other way out. Upstairs isn’t an option. And Malevsky had the house surrounded when I arrived, so we’re not walking out through the front door with our hands above our heads and being given a free pass to a destination of our choice.

“This way.” I turn right towards the living spaces and the den, gun ready.

Gunshots ring out from the room on the other side of the hallway, and I tug Demi down to the floor, covering her body with mine.