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Thirty-Three
KERES
Iaim the guns at Ace and Romeo, if only to buy myself time with Phoenix. The blade is so dangerously close to Mia’s throat and the life-giving vein that runs the length of it.
I can see Ace and Romeo in my peripheral vision, and I’m acutely aware of the disdain pouring from them, but all I can focus on right now is saving Mia. And saving Phoenix from herself.
“Let her go, Nix. Ace has the name of the man we’ve been looking for. Lorenzo did what we asked him to, so nobody needs to get hurt.”
“The name of the man you were looking for. I want the Morettis, Kee. Salvatore Moretti sold me to that”—her hauntingly beautiful face twists at the memory—“fucking monster.” She spits out the last word like it leaves a bitter taste in her mouth.
“I know he did. But his sons didn’t help him. Father Mike told me, and I believe him.” In reality, I haven’t decided whether I believe him yet, but the lie falls easily off my tongue.
“No!” she screeches, squeezing her eyes shut like that will shield her from my words. Edging closer, I keep the guns trained on Romeo and Ace for my own safety. I need to get Nix and myself out of here before they hand us over to their boss to kill us.
“Nix, please honey. Let her go. No one will hurt you, I swear.”
“Let her fucking go!” I spin around and flinch at the sight of Lorenzo Moretti descending the stairs to the basement. Goddamn motherfucking shit. There goes our chance of escape. He has his gun trained on Phoenix, but she’s much smaller than Mia and most of her body is shielded. I doubt he’ll take a shot unless he thinks he has no other choice.
Keeping the guns trained on Ace and Romeo, I turn back around. Phoenix’s hand trembles as she opens her eyes, and the blade sinks deeper into Mia’s neck.
“Look at me, sunshine,” Lorenzo commands his wife. Tears swim in her eyes as she gazes up at him. “Let her go and you can walk out of here,” he adds to Phoenix.
“Screw you!” Phoenix shrieks. “I should take everything from you.” She splays her free hand across Mia’s belly and squeezes, making her captive flinch. “This too.”
In my mind’s eye I can see Lorenzo’s fingers twitching on the handle of his gun. He takes another loud step down the staircase, and Phoenix pulls Mia closer. The blade sinks deeper still, causing a fresh trickle of blood to run down her slender throat.
Think, Keres! I only have one shot to save Phoenix and Mia. It might cost me everything, but what do I have left to lose? Lorenzo isn’t going to let either of us live, and I can’t condemn my poor broken Nix to eternal hell if she kills Mia and her baby.
Saving Mia might not save me or Nix, but it will save my sweet girl’s soul, and I figure that’s the only play I have left. I place both guns on the floor and kick them into the corner, then I hold up my hands, glance over my shoulder, and motion for Lorenzo to stop. To my surprise, he does.
I take a cautious step toward Phoenix. “Lorenzo and his brothers had nothing to do with their father’s trafficking business, Phoenix. Father Mike told me. You know he doesn’t lie. Ace has the name of the man we’re looking for. You and I can go find him and then we’ll go to our little island. Just you and me. Sisters forever, Nix. Remember? Please, just let her go.”
“No! You’re trying to mess with my head, Kee. Like you always do. Forcing me to take those pills.” She shakes her head and I inch closer.
“I love you, Nix. You know I’d never hurt you. I would die to make you happy, honey, but Mia is innocent in all this. Her baby too. Just like we were. Let her go.”
Phoenix yanks Mia’s head back by her hair. Mia’s lip trembles, and Lorenzo says something soft and soothing in Italian.
“Stop talking to her!” Phoenix yells. “And stop pretending you care, Kee. You’ve only ever cared about yourself.”
That twists like a barb in my heart. “I care about you, Nix. I love you. You know that.”
“Let’s see if you’ll still love me after I do this.” She lifts the hand holding the knife and brings it down toward Mia’s stomach.
Time slows. Lorenzo runs down the remaining stairs. Romeo and Ace lurch toward the women.
Diving forward, I reach them first. My left arm comes up between the blade and Mia’s body, and I grip Phoenix’s wrist with my right hand, squeezing tight until the knife clatters to the ground. But I’m too late. Blood soaks the front of Mia’s dress, turning the dusty yellow fabric a muddied crimson.
“Mia!” Lorenzo’s pained cry fills the room.
A gunshot rings in my ears.
My head spins and I drop to my knees.
Mia shrieks.
Someone falls to the floor beside me.
