Chapter 29

—Ellie—

The lights came back on. My eyes burned from the onslaught of brightness. I was still kneeling on the bathroom floor when Tristan’s voice rang out.

“Go into the basement and help Damian torture the Outfit asshole.”

I could feel the color draining from my face. I’d heard the shooting, had prayed that the Outfit would win ... I forced myself to stand when the lock turned.

Tristan came in covered in blood, and I started trembling, terrified my greatest horrors had come true. For a couple of heartbeats, Tristan regarded me. “Your cousin tried to save you.”

Terror gripped me like a vise. I could not breathe. I didn’t want to believe it.

“You’re lying,” I gasped out, voice broken and hollow.

A dark smile curled his lips. “He’s a brave one.”

I rushed toward Tristan, clutched his bloody shirt. Hiss dark eyes held mine. The predatory gleam in them made my heart thud even faster.

“No,” I said again. “Mateo isn’t he