I force myself to look at her properly, even though the room spins when I move. Cut near her temple. Bruise on her cheek. Arm held too carefully.
Maybe broken.
Maybe sprained.
But alive.
My baby is alive.
“Uncle Steffy,” she whispers.
My chest caves in.
The road comes back in pieces.
The crash.
Glass.
Headlights.
Stefano standing with blood on his face.
The gun.
The shot.
“No,” I whisper.
Livy’s face crumples. “I think he’s dead, Mama.”
The sound that leaves me doesn’t feel human.
Stefano.
Sweet, stubborn Stefano.
Maverick’s brother.
Maverick’s twin.
The man who came with me because he refused to let me leave the estate alone.
My sweet friend.
I squeeze my eyes shut, but it doesn’t stop the image from coming.
Him dropping.
The road beneath him going dark.
God, no.
Please no.
“Mama,” Livy says, her voice small and shaky. “You’re not gonna believe who did this.”
I open my eyes.
