Page 68 of Taken By the Mafia King
“Sera?”
I almost snapped my neck turning around so fast at the sound of Fred’s voice. Killian let go of my arm just in time for me to bolt toward Fred, who’d stepped out of the shadows and was standing shellshocked only a few feet away. I wondered howmuch he’d heard, but my mind was elsewhere as I threw my arms around his neck and squeezed.
“Thank God,” he whispered. “You look well, all things considered.”
“Did Emma find you?” I whispered, praying no one else could hear.
“We can’t talk about that now.” He pulled away, smiling down at me. His knuckles grazed my jaw, then came to rest under my chin as he guided my face from side to side. He was checking for bruises, I realized, and I felt a wave of shame as I glanced at Killian and noticed the conflicted look on his face.
“I’m fine. Killian has been taking care of me.” I kept my eyes on Killian as I said it.
“Sure,” Fred said, letting his hand drop. “Sera, I’m sorry about your father.”
“Stop!” Killian growled, and the air in the room crackled with an unspoken threat.
“What?” I asked, my voice cracking. “What do you mean? What happened to my dad?”
“Nothing,” Killian said.
“You didn’t tell her?” Fred snapped at Killian, his eyes going wide.
“Tell me what?” I cried, stepping back from all three of the men. “What’s going on with my father?”
CHAPTER 50
SERA
My ears rang as I looked back and forth between Fred and Killian. Fred, a man I trusted and loved like a father or uncle, and Killian, a man I hated butneededlike I needed oxygen. Both of my worlds were colliding right in front of my face, but all I could think about was my father.
Possibly the only man I hated more than Killian. And loved. And feared.
“Is he dead?” I asked. My voice sounded hollow and competed with the ringing in my ears. What was that God awful sound? I reached out and steadied myself with a hand on Fred’s arm.
“You didn’t tell her?” Fred closed his hand over mine and glared at Killian. “She’s been here this whole time, and you didn’t tell her?”
Killian stood motionless a few feet away, looking more like a painting than a living, breathing man. Finally, he shifted his weight, and spoke. “This isn’t the time.”
“No,” I said sharply. “Don’t do this to me. Please. I can’t stand not knowing anymore. Is he dead? Did you kill him?”
Killian looked like I’d just slapped him before he rolled his shoulders and stalked forward like a predatory cat. I thought hewas going to grab me, but he grabbed Fred instead and hauled him toward the top of the stairs.
My heart lurched, and I hurried forward. “Wait!”
“We’re done here,” Killian growled.
He and Fred descended, and Fred muttered a string of foul curses as he yanked his arm free. When they got to the marble floor of the foyer, Fred rounded on the Hand of Death, and I felt a surge of fear for him.
How far would Killian be pushed before he snapped?
Fred smoothed his ruffled shirt. “I can’t believe you didn’t fucking tell her. She’s been here believing her dad was going to come for her all this time! Show some mercy, you bastard.”
I hurried down the stairs and ran across the marble to keep up with them. “He’s dead, isn’t he? Oh God.” I clutched at my stomach as he rolled. “Just tell me. Please. Someone tell me. I can’t take this.”
Killian pushed Fred toward the door. It was like he couldn’t even hear me. Like I didn’t exist. Like he didn’t give a damn at all. And maybe he didn’t, now that he’d had me for himself.
I gave my head a shake. It didn’t matter right now. All that mattered was getting answers.
Fred caught himself at the threshold of the door and turned back to us. “You tell her right now, Ricci!” he shouted, his voice echoing through the house.
