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“D’Artagnan,” she whispered.
“Yes.” I’d told her everything over the years, filling her mind with stories of adoration and happiness in hopes that she’d learn there was something other than the world created in blood and violence.
“Does he love you?” Sophia grilled.
“Very much so.”
“Will he die for you?”
I took a deep breath, the question more intense than she could understand. “Yes. There is no doubt.”
She wiped her tears, squeezing my hand. “Maybe one day I’ll find my Prince Charming.”
“I hope so, sweet sister. I really do.”
Sadly, no matter how protected D’Artagnan would try to make me feel or the protection he’d offer my family, there would always be doubt about when our happiness would be stripped away.
And it would.
That was my life.
I was once a princess of a dangerous world.
Now I was a queen.
CHAPTER26
“For vengeance is an emptiness and he that seeketh it wasteth himself.”
—Jeffrey Farnol
D’Artagnan
Being brought up Catholic meant confessing your sins to God, almost always done through a priest sitting behind a dark wooden panel or cloth. I’d always thought the practice hypocritical, the veiled person sitting in the small booth likely engaging in sins of his own.
But my mother had insisted, requiring me to admit the smallest infractions. The moment of my family’s death, I’d stopped confessing altogether since the number of sins I committed were far too numerous to list.
There was truth that violence begat violence, but as twilight set in, a storm brewing in the atmosphere, I no longer cared. If the Bratva had attacked my family, they would face a wrath that only God himself could cure. And that wasn’t going to happen.
The irony of the situation wasn’t far from my mind. I’d planned on taking control whether my adopted father honored his promise or not. I’d also envisioned Mattia’s death for his treachery, but every vivid and savage thought was shoved aside. No one fucked with my family and got away with it.
The powerful empires weren’t in close proximity, yet the two estates were within seventy miles of each other. It had been a way of keeping track of the enemy, both sides participating. Still, the miles between seemed like an eternity. Several vehicles followed, every driver exceeding the speed limit. I’d called Franco and Mattia, both cellphones immediately going to voicemail.
Raphaelo had also attempted to contact a single soldier. While no one had responded initially, what my Capo had learned confirmed my worst fears.
The betrayal had come from within. My suspicions had been confirmed. Mattia had struck, leaving a path of carnage in his attempt to take over as head of the family.
With only five miles left, my chest was tight, my rage only increasing given I expected to find carnage. I dialed Tomaso, fearful the call would also be left unanswered.
“God. There are explosions!” he said as he answered.
“Where are you?”
“A few miles away. I hope you’re fucking close. I’m not going to sit here and do nothing.”
My younger brother wasn’t equipped to handle a battle of this nature. “Do as I say. You’re not a warrior. Stay where you are. For now. Let me find out what I’m dealing with. Then we will deal with it.” While he understood the hunger Mattia had for power, there was no time to enlighten him with his brother’s treachery.
“Be careful.”
