Page 23 of Declan's Dove

“Kayce only built the one safe room,” I inform him.

“Yes, but who else lives in this building? How many other people who have money can afford to have hiding places built into their homes? Baron’s Edge is not a place where you’ll find the poor and unresourceful, is it?” His brow lifts, and I know he has a point. “Now, keep up with Matteo. He is not a man who waits patiently.”

When we reach Mili’s apartment, Matteo holds the door open. Vincenzo walks past me in a rush and heads straight to the master bedroom. I text Mili’s phone to let her know I’m here. When I reach the closet, I’m shocked to find Vincenzo has already opened the safe room door and let himself in.

He’s crouched before a half conscious Mili.

I rush over. “How did you …”

“No time, Violet,” Vincenzo snaps. “Gattina, open your eyes for me.” His voice is soft as he runs his hand over Mili’s face. I move to get to her, to help, but Matteo’s large arm crossing my chest halts my movement. When I look up at him to ask what the hell he’s doing, he shakes his head and places a finger over his lips, shushing me.

What the fuck?

“Gattina. Emilia,” Vincenzo says harsher this time. Mili moans, turning her head in his direction. Her eyes blink slowly.

“Vincenzo?” she asks, her voice barely a whisper.

Vincenzo smiles down at her. “Yes, sweetheart. I’m here. Where are you hurt?”

He moves his hand over her body, taking inventory. Her left eye is nearly swollen shut. Her bottom lip is cracked and swollen. When Vincenzo leans in, placing his arm around her back to pick her up, Mili cries out in pain. Vincenzo removes his hands, throwing them up in the air immediately.

“Get the doctor in here! Now!”

“Shouldn’t you have let him come in before you in the first place, before you started poking at her?” I shout, waving my hands at Mili’s obviously injured state.

“Watch yourself, Violet.” Vincenzo’s tone brooks no argument. The sweet, gentle, caring man who was doting over my friend is no more. In his place is the boss who runs the show.

Matteo turns, leaning in to whisper, “He wanted to be sure she was descent before bringing the doctor in.” He doesn’t say anything else, then storms past me into the other room. I make my way over to Mili and sit on the edge of the loveseat she’s currently stretched out on. Her safe room is a bit larger than the one in my apartment, but then her apartment is three times the size of mine, too.

Mili’s safe room is almost half the size of a bedroom. It makes sense since her walk-in closet is half the size of my bedroom. I’ve never understood why rich people needed such large spaces. It’s a bedroom. You sleep it in. A bed, a dresser, maybe a tv, and a couple of nightstands are all a person should need.

Not the wealthy. No, Mili has a large four poster European king-sized bed along with all the standard bedroom furniture, but she also has a long leather couch sitting in front of a large fireplace with a flat-screen tv mounted above the mantle. There is a short writing desk and two high-back green velvet chairs facing toward the windows.

It’s too much. Although, I wouldn’t mind a fireplace in my room and a comfy couch to sit on while reading in front of it on cold winter nights.

“Vi.” Mili’s soft, scratchy voice pulls me out of my internal tirade.

“I’m here, babe.” I reach for her hand, lacing her fingers with mine.

“Walk me through your injuries so we can make plans for your transport, Gattina?” Vincenzo brazenly starts in. “I need to know what happened. Where are you hurt? Can you stand? Walk?”

“I can shoot my gun,” Mili says, and though soft, her voice is full of venom. I didn’t see the handgun she was holding in her hand between the cushions until now. It’s currently aimed at Vincenzo’s chest.

I am officially two seconds from peeing on myself.

Shit.

Vincenzo doesn’t flinch. The fucking psycho of a man smiles. He smiles.

“Now, sweetheart. We both know you won’t shoot me, and I won’t hold this ungrateful behavior against you. Though I will say, seeing you with a gun in your hand has had an interesting effect on me. Perhaps when you’re better, we’ll discuss it further.” He quirks his brow. Mili’s eyes widen for a split second, then narrow again as she lowers the gun back to her side.

What the hell is happening? Are they flirting?

“You’re right, Mr. Parisi. Forgive my rudeness.” Mili gives her best fake smile, which given the swelling of her face and bruising, is not having quite the effect she’s going for. But my girl has had a rough day and I’m not about to point that out to her.

“But I’m sure you can understand my cautionary behavior. The last group of men to descend upon me uninvited left quite the mark behind.” Mili gestures to her face and body, then squeezes her eyes shut, wincing.

Vincenzo growls.

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