Chapter 83–Four Dead, One Injured

Chapter 83

RUSSEL

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It took Luca leading Allesia’s mother into the hall for me to release her. She ran to her mother and they both clung to each other while I watched. Her mother looked shaken to the bones, but at least she was alive. You could tell the depth of their bond from that singular gesture, the relief on their faces as they cried on each other’s shoulders. I wondered for a split second if Melissa could ever share such a bond with Hyacinth.

A pang of guilt tugged at my heart, the very imagination of how devastated Allesia would have felt if her mother had died today made me recoil. Luca's arrival brought a brief respite from the swirling emotions.

"Where did you find her?" I asked Luca as I watched them.

"She was in the guest room, awakened by the gunshots," Luca explained, “Glad I got there before they did, the story would have been different otherwise.”

My gaze lingered on Allesia, she looked so like a kid, resting there on the crook of her mother's neck. Guilt gna