Page 81 of The Masked King

Is he talking about Brian? My confuddled brain doesn’t know what to think anymore.

“Of course, it would be easy to kill Enzo Sabatelli, but that would bring me no joy, and he would never know the pain he caused my family.”

Enzo…

The video footage.

I slowly slot the pieces together like a jigsaw without a picture to follow.

I’m still confused though. Does he expect Enzo to buy me? How will that bring him closure?

“Enzo and I are over.” My own voice is muffled by the ringing in my ears like I’m wearing a motorcycle helmet. “He won’t give himself up for me.”

“He doesn’t have to. He will give up his brother instead.”

“Gio?” I think of Megan and the twins, and their spaniel Bella, and tears fill my eyes. “Why would he do that for me?”

“Because he is in love with you.”

“No.” I drag myself into a sitting position and fold my body in two against the wall. “We’re over.” I have to sound convincing, but it’s hard when everything hurts so badly.

“Remember Brian, Demi? Why do you think he came back, night after night, knowing he would get hurt in the process, but doing it anyway?”

“I don’t know…” I do know but I don’t want to hear it, so I cover my ears with my hands to tune him out.

Malevsky grips my wrists and lowers them. “He came because he loves you. Because, even with the masks, and the voice changers, he recognized the woman he loves, and he would’ve done anything to save you.”

“No. He thought I was Nyx. He came back for Nyx, not me.”

“So, now it’s time to reveal your identity.”

“Do what you want. Enzo will never choose me over his brother.”

“Let me show you something.”

He slides his phone from his pocket and taps the screen. I will never be able to erase the last image he showed me, but still, I can’t tear my eyes away from the device when he turns it around to show me.

It feels like I’ve been punched in the gut. I double over, retching onto the carpet, coughing up bile. It’s DI Goss. My old friend is dead too because of me.

Malevsky snatches the phone away and drops it back into his pocket. “Incendiary devices have been installed around Giovanni Sabatelli’s apartment. Unless you wish to be responsible for the deaths of their children, I suggest that you think of a way to Enzo Sabatelli’s heart. Quickly.”

“You fucking bastard…” He doesn’t care what I think of him, but I say it anyway.

If I refuse, he’ll sell me at auction or bury me alive depending on where his mood takes him, and he’ll destroy the Sabatellis anyway. But if I agree, I can at least warn them, give them a fighting chance to beat the Bratva like they did before.

I don’t care what happens to me. I’m doing this for Gio and his family.

At least, that’s what I tell myself when I say, “Okay, I’ll do it.”

21

ENZO

I have vague recollections of getting here.

They dumped me in the city behind an abandoned warehouse on the riverbank. No warning. No parting gifts. No promise to be in touch when I’m willing to accept their generous proposition.

The mild concussion was doing a great job of keeping the pain in my shoulder at bay, so I took that as a win. I hauled myself to my feet and stumbled back to the city, ignoring the stares of passersby, those who didn’t avert their eyes and give me a wide berth, and growling at anyone who approached me to help.