Cruel Saints

Honestly, I’m a little surprised by Elena’s reaction. She kissed me back. She fucking melted in my arms. But still, she looks at me with horror. As if I fucking attacked her.

I take a step toward her, but her hands fly up in warning. “Don’t!” Even her voice is strained with panic. She sucks in a frantic breath. “Don’t ever touch me again.”

Elena darts away, and I almost go after her, but the horror I saw on her face keeps me rooted to the spot.

Not now, Lucian. Give her time.

I let out a sigh and walk to one of the benches. I unbutton my jacket and sit down, my gaze settling on the fountain.

What the fuck do I do now? I got my answer, and in the process, I traumatized Elena.

I should’ve been more patient.

Fuck that. I waited three days for her to come out of her suite. That alone took more patience than I had.

Narrowing my eyes, I turn them toward the castle.

Maybe it’s not me? It could be that the kiss brought up bad memories for her. If that’s the case, it means Dante did more than just hit her.

God won’t be able to help him if that’s the case. I’ll fucking rip his head off.

My phone begins to ring, and pulling it out of my pocket, I frown when I see Alexei Koslov’s name flashing on the screen.

Thinking he can’t get a hold of my father, I answer, “Lucian.”

“It’s Alexei,” he says, his voice filled with the darkness I’ve grown accustomed to hearing.

“I know,” I mutter. “Why are you calling?”

“It’s your father. He’s been killed.” The words are abrupt, straight to the fucking point, but still, they don’t sink in.

“What?” I begin to get up but sit down again when there’s no strength in my legs.

“Your father’s been assassinated.” There’s a moment’s pause, then the Russian says, “I’ll find out who it was. First, we need to get you to safety.”

Papà… No. No. No.

Stupidly I ask, “Are you sure?”

“I’m looking at his body right now. Bullet to the head. You’re a fucking sitting duck at St. Monarch’s. Carson is coming to get you. Go to Madame Keller’s office and wait there for him. Demitri and I are leaving Italy now. We’ll meet you at a safe house.”

“Alexei,” I breathe, still not able to process what he’s telling me.

“Lucian!” he snaps. “Go now. We’re on our way.”

Somehow I manage to get up, and I listen to Alexei tell Demitri, his personal guard, “Let’s go.”

I walk toward the side door, then Alexei shouts, “I don’t hear you fucking running, Lucian.”

And then it sinks in. My body darts forward, and just as I take the steps two at a time, the mosaic widow to my left shatters.

Fuck.

I move faster and slip inside just in time as another bullet shatters the glass door.

“They’re here!” I snap into the phone. “They’re fucking here.”

I keep running down the hallway, and instead of going for the safety Madame Keller’s office will offer, I turn right into the foyer and dart up the stairs.

I run down the hallway and then slam a fist against Elena’s door. When she doesn’t open, I begin to pound against the wood. “Open, Elena. You’re in danger!”

Seconds later, she opens. I grab hold of her hand and begin to run again, yanking her behind me.

“Lucian!”

Ignoring Elena, I speak into the phone. “How far away is Carson?”

Carson is Alexei’s younger brother, so I know I can trust him. The Koslov’s won’t turn on me. They have honor which means they’ll die protecting me. They’re the most important allies my father ever made, and right now, my life depends on them.

“Twenty minutes,” Alexei answers.

I drag Elena down the stairs, and as we turn left in the foyer, gunfire erupts out by the front gate. Guards rush past us as I turn down the hallway that leads to Madame Keller’s office.

One of the guards stops when he sees us and shouts, “Faster, Mr. Cotroni.”

We’re escorted the rest of the way and ushered into the office that’s more secure than any other place on this goddamn planet.

Madame Keller takes hold of my free arm, her face filled with compassion. “I’m so sorry for your loss, Mr. Cotroni.”

My father is dead.

The thought rocks me to my core, and I let Madame Keller pull me to a sofa as her guards usher the other guests inside. The door is closed and then locked.

I sit down, still gripping Elena’s hand tightly. Slowly I turn my eyes to her pale face, and I can only manage to breathe as the realization robs me of all rationality.

My father is dead.

“Lucian?” Elena asks as she scoots closer to me. Her fingers stir in my hold, not to free her hand but to get a better grip on me. “What’s happening?”

“They’re here,” I manage to say, my voice void of any emotion. “Fuck, they’re here.”