Page 46 of Wrong Pawn. Right Capo.

But why does it hurt so much? Why have I been unable to put myself together and get my work done since that revelatory day? Or live my life like he never existed?

What’s this piercing feeling in my heart, like it’ll burst through my chest?

Puddles whines sadly at the foot of the bed, so I reach my hand out, lifting him onto my lap. We’re alike in so many ways—two lonely souls with absolutely no one to protect us.

Suddenly, there are gunshots, and I freeze, straining to hear exactly what’s going on out there as I pull Puddles closer. I cuddle him tighter against my chest right as a massive explosion rattles the entire room, sending shards of glass from the window in our direction.

Puddles yelps loudly, wrenching himself from my arms. Instinctively, I roll off the bed, scrambling across the shards of glass on the floor as another bullet whips past my ear and into the headboard where I’d been resting only seconds ago.

What the fuck?

My heart is thudding violently in my chest as I manage to fling the bedroom door open, hurrying after Puddles to shut him up before he leads whoever it is right to us.

“Puddles! Pudd—”

Then it dawns on me: he’s dashing toward Enzo’s office. Smart dog! Unfortunately, Enzo is not here now.

Whoever is trying to kill us will eventually find a way and put a bullet in our brains. A hand grabs me forcefully from behind a wall in the hallway. My nails reach up to where I think his eyes should be, but he’s faster, his heavy palms cuffing my wrists, pinning my back up against his chest.

Wait, I know this fragrance. Pushing away from him, I spin sharply.

“What the…” He clamps a hand over my mouth, shaking his head. I can hear Puddles scratching against Enzo’s door now, whining to be allowed in.

Adrian narrows his eyes as the blood trickling from my palms drips on his boots. The adrenaline wears off, and I realize I’ve been cut by the shards of glass in the room.

“Fuck. You’re hurt,” he growls, taking my hands to scan them. I yank them away from his grip, hissing. And fuck, do I hate how my heart races at his proximity.

“Don’t touch me,” I sneer.

“Quiet,” he snaps, grabbing my hand again and picking out two tiny shards of glass. I hiss in pain, gritting my teeth to stop the tears burning my eyes. Truthfully, I can’t decide if the tears are because of the glass or him.

“Don't you have any shame? Returning here after ruining everything?”

He ignores me and pulls a handkerchief out of his back pocket, wrapping my hands with it. “Stay here,” he demands.

“You lost the privilege to tell me what to do,” I whisper, snatching my hands from his again.

He stares at me, nostrils flaring, but doesn’t say anything. Cocking his gun, he heads out from behind the wall, returning fire as gunshots ring through the air almost endlessly.

I’m grateful when the silence finally comes, and I still hear Puddles barking in the distance. Peeking my head out, I tiptoe toward Enzo’s office, where Puddles is crouched down, his nose stuck under the door.

“Who’s after us?” I whisper to Puddles, cradling him in my arms. Have Enzo’s enemies come to take advantage of his vulnerability? Puddles wags his tail restlessly, whimpering. Then I shake my head, tears rushing down my face. This may not be the best time, but…

“What is he even doing here?” I whisper to the empty hallway. “Has he come to finish what he started?”

“We have to leave.” That cold, commanding voice interrupts suddenly, and irritation pricks my spine. Wiping my face with the back of my hand, I turn around, clutching Puddles to my chest.

“Now,” he adds.

“You’ve caused enough damage,” I rasp, marching until I’m right in front of his stupidly perfect face. “At least have the dignity to leave me be.”

Bumping into his shoulder, I march back upstairs to my room, but in a split second, he lunges and yanks me back.

My back slams against his chest, but he catches my weight with his forearm, keeping Puddles from being crushed between us. The terrified dog struggles to break out of my arms, and I let him drop to the floor.

“You’re not staying here alone.” His voice is rough… final. And that sparks a fuse in my chest.

“Well, I wasn’t always alone, was I? A certain somebody ruined shit for my family, killed everyone, and tried to kill Enzo.” My chest heaves from the weight of my anger. “Who knows if you were even the one behind those death threats.”