Page 11 of Crimson Reign

“Yes. No one gets in or out without Nico’s approval. You’ll be safe here till I take care of everything that’s going on.”

My siblings are already gathered—Lorenzo pacing, Olivia perched on a settee, Angelo by the window. Isabella rises to greet us, taking Fiona from Elena's arms.

"I'll show you to your room first," she tells Elena. "You can freshen up while Matteo briefs everyone."

Once they've gone, Lorenzo rounds on me. "What the fuck is happening, Matteo? First, you disappear for two days, then you call an emergency meeting and show up with some woman and her kid?"

"Sit down," I command, my tone leaving no room for argument. "All of you."

Then, I explain everything—the trafficking operation, the cult, the murders, the betrayals.

Lorenzo explodes from his chair. "This is perfect! We have everything we need to wipe those fuckers off the map."

"And start a citywide war?" Olivia counters. "That's exactly what the feds would love."

"Lorenzo's right that we need to act," Angelo interjects. "But we should be strategic."

I silence them with a sharp whistle. "Enough. We're not deciding anything tonight. We sleep on it, reconvene tomorrow with cooler heads."

They bid their goodbyes and leave.

Nico holds me back afterward. “Come with me.”

I make my way to his study, where he pours his prized whiskey into two glasses.

"You need to be careful, Matteo."

I raise an eyebrow. "I'm always careful."

"Not with enemies. With the woman." He takes a sip. "I recognize it because it's how I looked at Isabella before I admitted to myself what she meant to me."

"That's different—"

"Just remember, in our world, the people we care about become weapons our enemies can use against us."

As if summoned, Elena appears in the doorway, wearing fresh clothes that make her look smaller, more vulnerable.

"Isabella put Fiona down for a nap," she explains. "I hope I'm not interrupting."

"Not at all," Nico says smoothly. "I was just leaving to check on my wife."

Once he's gone, Elena steps into the study, her eyes taking in the leather-bound books and guns.

"Your daughter is settling in, okay?" I ask, trying to ignore the way the evening light catches in her hair.

"She's adaptable." Elena wraps her arms around herself. "More than I am, probably."

I say nothing, waiting for her to continue.

"I need to ask you something," she says finally. "And I need you to be honest."

I nod once.

"Will you teach me how to defend myself?" The words come out in a rush. "I want to protect Fiona if it comes down to it. I can't always rely on you or your family being there."

I study her face, surprised by the request. "It won't be easy."

"I don't need easy. I need to keep my daughter safe."

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