LOGINI memorized every word, nodding. "Make sure, there is no alcohol, no driving, no strenuous exercise. No situations where she could hit her head again." He tapped the folder. "If she vomits repeatedly. If she becomes difficult to wake. If one pupil becomes larger than the other. If she becomes co
Vincenzo watched them carefully, "You wanted this?" "No." "You wanted to spend your nights around men like Cole?" "No." "You wanted debt collectors, guns, blood, and basements?" All three shook their heads harder, "No..." "No, sir..." "We never wanted this..." For a long moment, Vincenzo sim
Mine didn't. To me, guilt belonged to the individual responsible for the act. To Gianna, guilt spread through grief until it touched everyone left standing. Eventually... It would reach me. She wouldn't see a calculated investigation. She would see the man who allowed her entire world to disap
Adriano let out a laugh, he bent over, slapping his knee, his eyes bright with a dark, twisted amusement as he watched Cole flop around in the dirt. "Oh, look at him go!" Adriano mocked, "He’s doing the dance! Look at the moves on him! Hey, Don Capone said he’d spare your life, Mercer! He didn't sa
"No! She forced me! She—" "She forced you to get a front-row seat to our sister's blood?" Adriano laughed again, "You’re a real hero, Cole. Maybe we should put your face on a plaque. 'Here lies Cole Mercer: He was too scared to be a criminal and too stupid to be a friend.'" Cole started to sob, hi
Raphael ━━ ⛓ ━━ Adriano’s arms were capable, but they were not mine. I stepped forward before his arms could even settle into a permanent hold. I took her from him, sliding my hands beneath her knees and behind her shoulders, careful not to disturb the bandage wrapped around her head. I kept h
"Just go," I whispered, the anger suddenly draining out of me, leaving nothing but a vast, hollow crater of exhaustion. My shoulders slumped, and I couldn't even find the energy to keep my voice sharp, "You saw the freak show. You heard my mother. You know all my disgusting little secrets now. Just
Gianna ━⊰ ❦ ⊱━ "What have you been doing to yourself?" she wept, "My baby... what have you done?" I couldn't answer her. I couldn't even feel my own body anymore. I just stood by the open door, staring down at the pile of my tools on the rug, my eyes completely blank and empty. The room around
Mom sucked in a sharp breath. It sounded like someone had punched her in the ribs. The sorrow in her eyes flipped instantly into a dark, burning fury, her jaw clenching so tight the skin around her mouth went white. "Fine," she spat, "Just the doctor then. Please, Gianna. You have to do this for me
Before I could say a word, she scrambled to her feet. Her hands reached out, her fingers digging into the sleeves of my jacket, and she pulled me into her. The collision knocked the air right out of my lungs. She wrapped her arms around my back, holding me so tight I could feel the sharp bones of







