Dario finally seems to notice that there’s no way he can sway me to his side as a long sigh leaves his lips. Pity. I thought I taught him better than that. With a scoff, I give my back to make a cut to the streets but he nails me to the spot with one question.
“Know anyone named Vick lately? Know who he is?”
I’m tempted to ignore his question. But don’t know why I answer him anyway. “A dead man walking. That’s what he is.”
Apparently, he expects me to say the same thing as a series of laughter ripples from his mouth, forcing me to look at him. What’s so fucking funny?
“So, you were the one who did it.” The way he says it...
“Did what?” I ask, clenching my fists. A gun in my hand would be the best idea now but sadly, I’m not allowed to use any ammo yet. When he doesn’t answer in one go, I ask again. This time with more volume to make him flinch again. “Dario, tell me.”
He hesitates for a minute before answering. “Don’t sound so surprised now. Vick was found dead this morning. You killed him, admit it. That bitch still means something to you, huh? Even after five damn years?”
Vick was dead. That puto is gone before I can even reach him. Dario continues to ramble something but I tune him out. Who could have done it? Dante? I glimpse at Dario again. It doesn’t look like they had anything to do with it. The Bratva wouldn’t kill one of their own. Ares doesn’t know shit about Vick. I thought only I had something to get by killing those bastards. But turned out-
I’m not the only monster back in town...
CHAPTER 6
RAINE
MY TO BE HUSBAND IS dead.
No, not Vick.
He became old news three weeks ago. After that, it was Casper, then Gabriel, Apollo, Mikhail, and the last one...his crooked smile still haunts my dream.
Marcus. With his grey hair that put shame to Papa’s, I'm surprised anyone in the family even let him court me. He was forty years my senior after all. Well, he was before even he found his way to a grave.
In words, everyone who ever wanted me ended up dead. Maybe it’s a curse or a blessing.
It’s something I should be happy about. I should celebrate it by throwing a party perhaps? Maybe invite guests from La Eme just to see the revolting look on Nick’s face?
“You are making me depressed, Princess.”
I look up from the bed and no wonder, he is still here. Not that I haven’t tried to kick him out of the room but sometimes he’s better than seeing Nick’s disproving eyes gazing down at me as if it’s my fault that my potential husbands were turning up dead on our porch.
“You made me depressed.” I counter, hiding the smile threatening to come over my face as his eyes flash in annoyance. “Remember, it was you who volunteered to babysit me. Where’s Mrs. Torres?”
“You should call them by their name. If anyone from the family ever heard you -” Carter laughs, shaking his head. “It doesn’t matter. She’s not allowed to serve you anymore.”
My breath hitches in alarm. “I didn’t want to get attached but you’re right. It doesn’t matter anymore. If you want, feel free to leave the room anytime.”
He scoffs. “Right...so you can complain to daddy. No way.”
Immediately, my mood becomes even worse. Anything related to Papa nowadays irritates me. For once, the identity of the monsters in my life is clear and I don't know what to do with it.
Should I tuck them where they belong?
Or match a light to watch them burn?
“Princess?” He snaps his finger when I don't answer. “You alive?”
I sigh sitting up. There’s nothing to do once he starts talking. “I'm alive. But if you don’t stop talking then maybe not for long.”
His answer comes in the form of chuckles. I can’t help but imagine what it feels like to be him. He’s free to do whatever he wants while I’m under lock and key. Something about me being depressed to lose so many people in so short time. Papa probably forgot half the time I wished they disappeared.
Not dead though, but my wishes seemed to be tempered lately.
“So-” He sobers up quickly and his voice goes down a few bits. Almost a whisper now. For the sake of the hidden camera? “Want to tell me why do you look miserable? Don't tell me you actually felt bad for that asshole.”
“I don't. All I want to know is what's happening in the family. No one tells me anything.” I've begged Nick for hours but talking to him is like talking to a stone. "Please, tell me?"
He hesitates for a moment, his eyes turning discreetly at the corner so I move closer to him. It doesn’t hide him from the small camera in there, but it does look like he’s just sitting there, keeping an eye out like always.
“Your father is trying to get back on his feet. So, he’s asking around, gathering the cartels to help Bratva. I’d say he’s winning so far but that will be a lie. And your brother has been given the duty to contact with his old friends. You can only imagine what that means.”
Old friends. My body shivers involuntarily.
“Xeon.” The name feels like copper as it slips between my lips. “He’s going back to Xeon? Isn’t that a property of La Eme?”
I see a hint of a smile in his face as I mention the club’s name. “You know your thing, Princess. But no, Xeon doesn’t involve in that business anymore. Nick is using private connections to find help. If he's good at anything, it's collecting information.”
Nick isn't the only one with information. I have many secrets too. Maybe I’ll never be able to run from here but the amount of knowledge I have...I can ruin the Bratva in a second. Then again, who can I trust to keep that kind of knowledge?
Trust no one.
A voice, not mine pipes up. It’s in my head, like always making a lump in my throat. A painful reminder of just how many things can go wrong. Unless...
“Carter?”
He hums as I pause, thinking of my actions. There's a dangerous thought lurking around in my mind which I should just keep there. But I can’t voice it fast enough. “Is there anyone who wouldn’t side with the Bratva? Anyone, you trust?”
I can’t trust him. There’s something about him that screams danger but he is the only option I’ve left right now.
“You want me to give you a list of Bratva’s enemy?” He looks at me perplexed.
"Yes." Nervously, I clutch the bracelet Papa brought me two years ago. Not because he wanted to show his love, it's because he can monitor me anytime he wants.
Carter follows my gaze, not even taking his eyes off of me for once. Only when I hide the hideous thing from him that he speaks. “Your father wants the Sinaloa cartel on his side but they fled right after the raid five years ago. There have been words on the street that they might be back again in Downtown to cut deals with the Triads. They were never too fond of your father. He killed the drug lord’s mother. So you can only imagine-”
I cut him off. Hope, it's such a fickle thing to possess when I have none, to begin with. “So, they will be working against us. But do you trust them?”
It doesn’t take long for him to answer. “Hella lot more than I trust your little brother.”