—Tristan— Damian, Savio, and I linked arms, pressing over the tattoo of the other. “You will be a better Don than me, Damian. You won’t kill people who might be useful to us. Your logic will make the Russo clan even stronger.” Damian didn’t say anything, only stared at me. Savio shook his head. “Tristan, let’s attack them. I’d rather die fighting than have you in their fucking hands.” I smiled darkly. “You will have to die another day. I will pay for my sins.” Damian made a low sound. “She didn’t return, Tristan. She stayed in Minneapolis. They won’t let you anywhere near her. You will die for nothing.” “No, I will die so she gets what she wants.” Damian pulled away. “Damn it. Be reasonable for once.” “I made my decision and you will accept it.” Cars pulled up, and I moved away from my brothers who took shelter inside the car. Damian and Savio raised their guns through the open windows. I wasn’t armed as I walked towa

—Ellie— Dad and my uncle didn’t come home that evening. They would spend the night in the safe house. Safe house. What a name for a house to torture enemies. After Mateo had made sure I was okay, he drove back there as well. Maybe they were worried Tristan might manage to escape or maybe they wanted to keep torturing him throughout the night. Probably the latter. I grabbed a bag and packed a few things for Isabella and Samuel. Then I walked down into the basement where we kept our weapons as well as other necessities in case of an attack. I perused the display of guns and knives. I strapped a gun holster to my chest over my T-shirt. It allowed me to strap a gun and a knife to my sides as well as another gun to my back. Just to be on the safe side, I added a knife holster to my calf. I had chosen loose linen pants for the occasion just for that purpose. After that I rummaged through the medical supplies. Mateo had explained every

—Ellie— “I swear it,” he murmured. I cut through the rope when I heard the creak of the door. I dropped the knife in Tristan’s now free hand. “Eleanor, get the fuck away from the asshole!” Drake growled, gripping me by the shoulders and pulling me to my feet. I whirled around on him, getting in his face. “Don’t tell me what to do. I have a right to be here.” Drake was breathing harshly, his chest heaving. I took a step back, closer to Tristan again. My uncle and my father stepped in. I shielded Tristan mostly from their view but that wouldn’t last long. “You shouldn’t be here, dove. This isn’t something for a woman,” Dad said gently. He still believed in my innocence, but my uncle and Drake regarded me more cautiously. “Where’s Mateo?” My uncle asked. I wrapped my arms around my body and slid my hands beneath my cardigan, my fingers curling around the gun strapped to the holster there. “I’m sorry,” I whispered a

—Ellie— After we landed in Mexico, Damian immediately rushed Tristan off to a hospital the Camorra worked with, and Savio stayed with me. I was exhausted and emotionally drained. “What happens with us now?” I asked tiredly. Savio gave me a surprised look. “I will take you to the mansion. Tristan will want to have you and his kids around when he returns.” “You think he will survive?” Savio nodded. “Tristan won’t die.” I followed Savio to a car and sank down on the backseat with my children. When I jerked awake, we had arrived and Fabian was staring through the window as if he was seeing a ghost. He opened the door. “What the fuck?” “Tristan’s got kids,” Savio explained. “I see that,” Fabian said. Savio took Samuel again, and I got out with Isabella, who had her face buried in my neck. Fabian couldn’t stop staring at Samuel, then finally he met my gaze. “You saved Tristan?” I nodded. Fabian searched my eyes

—Ellie— Damian walked into the living room where Kate and I were sitting on a blanket with Samuel and Isabella. Kate was a natural with kids, and it was obvious how much she loved them. She held Samuel in her lap as she showed him a picture book. Isabella sat in my lap, her tiny hand wrapped around my thumb and looking down at the book in my free hand. I looked up at Damian but his eyes were on Kate, who was smiling down at my son, practically glowing with happiness. Slowly, he dragged his gaze up. “Tristan just woke up.” Without thinking, I got up with Isabella clinging to me. I didn’t want my kids there when I first talked to Tristan after he’d woken. I felt like we needed a moment before I could allow that. I untangled Isabella gently and laid her down on the blanket, then hesitated. Kate looked up with a smile. “Damian and I can watch them while you talk to Tristan.” Damian moved closer but I stayed where I was.