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“What’s happening right now?” I jogged to catch up with her.
She shot me a look over her shoulder. “Safety measures. Each floor will be sectioned off. We’ll stay on my mother’s floor. No one else is there, but there are plenty of rooms for all of us. Your brother will come up through the garage. Once he’s here, I can seal the elevator. No one will be able to come up unless we allow it.”
I couldn’t help but feel impressed as we stepped into the elevator. Even my own father hadn’t made arrangements like this. But then again, he hadn’t been as paranoid as Giovanni clearly had. Sienna’s mother was waiting for us when the doors opened. Mateo and Gemma were both with her, looking worried. As soon as they saw us, both Emilia and Gemma cried out, racing towards Sienna.
Taking a step to the side, I let them have their moment. Mateo’s eyes caught mine over their heads, looking relieved.
“I’m so glad you’re safe,” Emilia said softly. Her hands brushed back Sienna’s hair gently.
“Thank the fucking lord you’re here,” Gemma told her.
Emilia shot her a disappointed look.
“I mean, I’m just glad you made it here in one piece,” Gemma amended.
“Is anyone else coming?” Mateo asked.
Sienna looked over at me. “Just Killian. Dante’s brother. He should be here soon.”
“Come, let’s go inside. It’s been a long night.” Emilia herded Sienna through the front door of her apartment.
I remembered the last time I’d been here, right after her father had died. Not much had changed. Persian rugs covered the hardwood floor. Ornate velvet sofas gilded with gold sat before the electric fireplace. Halls branched off from the front room, leading towards the bedrooms, kitchen, and dining room. Oil paintings hung against the dark, emerald walls, and the city glimmered beyond the glass windows.
Killian sent me a text that he’d arrived. I stood in the doorway, watching as the Rosanias made their way towards the kitchen first. They were talking in hushed voices, probably discussing everything that had happened tonight. I leaned against the door frame, waiting as the numbers above the elevator slowly ticked by. The HK416 hung from my shoulder, but by this point, I was too tired to take it up just in case it wasn’t Killian about to walk through those doors.
I had nothing to fear, though. Killian’s dumb face popped through before he stepped out, wiping imaginary sweat from his brow. “Next time you need me to do manual labor, brother, ask someone else. I need a shower. I smell like a dead man.”
Clapping him on the back, I herded him inside before closing the door. “You can take a shower as soon as we sort everything out.”
Killian stopped in his tracks, looking around. Giving a low whistle, he said, “Damn. Nice place.”
“Thank you.” Emilia had appeared at the doorway leading towards the kitchen. I could still hear the others, along with the sound of glasses clinking together. Both Killian and I tensed as Emilia stared back at us.
“I want to thank you,” she said finally, glancing between the two of us. “For saving my daughter. For helping her.” That was probably the first time I’d seen Killian’s face flush red from something other than alcohol.
“You’re welcome,” he said, scratching at the back of his neck. “Do I hear them pouring something? Please tell me it’s alcohol.”
Emilia laughed. “Only the best whiskey, if that’s your thing.”
“If it’s liquor, it’s my thing.” Killian didn’t even look back as he made his way into the kitchen.
Emilia and I stared at each other for a few awkward moments. When I couldn’t take the silence anymore, I cleared my throat. “Where can I put this?”
Her eyes landed on the gun hanging from my shoulder. “By the door,” she said. “But keep it loaded.”
I set it aside as she followed Killian. I didn’t feel like drinking. All I wanted to do was take a shower and collapse in a bed. Any bed. Hell, even the couch looked nice enough to sleep on. Before I could slump onto it, Sienna appeared where her mother had stood only minutes before.
“Are you alright?” she asked hesitantly. Those beautiful eyes watched me carefully, as if I might collapse at any moment.
“I’m fine. You?”
“Fine.” She leaned against the door frame.
“I am tired, though.” I glanced towards the other doorway, hoping it led to additional bedrooms or somewhere else I could crash.
“Mateo will stay up until morning to keep watch if any of the Snake’s men try to get in,” she said.
I nodded. “Sounds like a good plan.” I sighed, one hand raking through my hair.
