Chapter 3

Three nights later, I waited beside my SUV at the docks.

The inspection had been arranged two weeks earlier, long before the draw and before I knew about Livia. The buyer had insisted that Nico and I both attend. The shipment involved both families, and walking away from Nico didn't mean abandoning my own responsibilities to the syndicate.

I checked the time as an engine roared along the access road.

Nico's flashy red convertible pulled up beside the containers. He climbed out, then went around to open the passenger door for Livia. She stepped onto the pavement in a white dress and stiletto heels she could barely walk in.

"This is a confidential underground meeting," I said, narrowing my eyes. "You brought that car? And her?"

Livia caught Nico's sleeve,, shrinking back. "I'm sorry. I just didn't want him coming out here alone so late. I can leave if I'm in the way."

"You're not in the way." Nico looked at me coldly. "She's going to be Donna. Get used to seeing her."

I stared at him as if he had lost his damn mind. Engaging in a shouting match with a man whose brain had been entirely replaced by blind infatuation would only degrade my own intelligence.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night," I scoffed. "Then start by teaching her what confidential means."

I left them by the car and went to the inspection point.

We were halfway through the manifest when a deafening gunshot ripped through the heavy silence of the docks!

Dozens of hitmen clad in tactical gear flooded out from the shadows of the shipping crates. The roar of automatic weapons filled the night, unleashing a relentless storm of lead. Blinding sparks showered the concrete as stray bullets violently ricocheted off the steel walls.

"It's a hit! The rival syndicate is here!" one of our guards roared before diving for cover.

Total pandemonium broke loose.

Livia screamed. Nico shoved her toward me.

"Get her out of here. She can't fight."

I caught her before she fell. There wasn't time to argue. I drew my gun and pulled her toward cover while our men returned fire.

She stumbled, grabbing at my arm. I hauled her upright.

"Keep moving!"

We were almost behind the next container when a gunman stepped directly into our path.

Livia saw him. Panic flashed in her eyes. Instead of freezing, her hands hit my back, hard enough to send me stumbling straight toward his raised weapon. She used me as a human shield.

He fired.

A burning pain tore across my left arm. I slammed against the container, using the impact to spin around, and fired twice. The gunman dropped dead. I stayed low until one of our men reached the corner and covered the opening.

Livia was already crouched behind him, unhurt.

Nico reached us a few seconds later. He went straight to her.

"Are you all right?"

She clutched his jacket. "I was so scared."

Blood was running down my wrist. I pressed my hand over the wound.

Livia looked at me over Nico's shoulder, tears streaming down her flawless face. "Serena, I'm so sorry. I panicked... I'm completely useless. I should have taken that bullet for you..."

Nico turned on me, his jaw tight with fury.

"I told you to get her out. Why were you still shooting instead of falling back? You could've gotten her killed trying to play hero!"

The gunman lay a few feet away. I looked at him, then back at Nico.

He was waiting for an apology.

When we were seven, a stray dog had lunged at him. I'd put myself between them and been bitten on the arm. Nico had cried harder than I had while my mother cleaned the wound.

He'd promised he'd protect me next time. He'd promised it for years afterward, whenever he saw the scar.

Now I was bleeding in front of him, and he was angry that I hadn't retreated fast enough to keep his new lover perfectly safe.

I stepped past them toward the SUV.

"Serena?" Nico's voice changed, finally registering the blood. "You're hurt."

He let go of Livia and started after me.

She gasped. Her knees gave way, and he turned in time to catch her.

"Livia. Look at me. What's wrong?"

He lifted her into his arms and carried her toward his car, all concern for me vanishing in an instant.

Then he drove away without looking back.