Page 18 of Tragic Empire
“We won’t rest until we’ve assured your safety,” Dante continues carefully. “No one will touch you in my home.”
The words are thoughtful, and yet they feel meaningless.
I exhale, feeling hot tears fall from my lashes.
“What does it matter if I’m safe?”
Jade flinches, reaching for my hands. “No, don’t say that.”
“You shouldn’t waste your time protecting me, Mr. Moretti. If I’m going to die, no one else should put themselves at risk in the process.”
“Ana,” my best friend croaks, squeezing my hands more firmly.
“You will not die,” Dante Moretti declares, his voice suddenly all Capo. “I’m vowing to you that no one will touch you now, Ana Knight. You are in my house and you are under my protection. We are formulating a plan for our next move, but right now, all you need to do is rest.”
Apollo nods, showing his agreement. “Our doctor is still here if you want to be medicated. There isn’t a pill in the world that cures the anguish you’re feeling, but dulling it is more than possible.”
I’ve never really taken drugs before. Nothing more than occasional sick meds and local anesthesia to have my wisdom teeth removed a few years back. The temptation for recreational fun has never really been there for me. But if some kind of pill can take away even a fraction of the ache radiating through my whole body, I’ll try it.
I find myself nodding, no words able to rise from my throat.
Like she can’t resist it any longer, Jade tucks me into a fierce hug. The affectionate gesture only makes me cry harder, but I embrace her back. We squeeze each other so hard that it becomes difficult to breathe. I don’t know how many moments pass before the same doctor who checked out my head comes into the room.
He talks and I hear every other word. He’s giving me some kind of injection that will make me tired and take away the worst of my grief. I don’t ask what it’s called or if it’s safe, I just roll up my t-shirt sleeve and watch as he presses a small needle into the juncture of my muscle.
The small sting barely registers and it’s over as quickly as it began.
I don’t expect the exhaustion to hit me so quickly, but within a few blinks, I can feel myself dozing off. I feel Doc check my vitals and hear voices speaking softly before I’m lifted off the couch and into strong arms.
My blurry eyes creak open just in time to see Apollo tucking me into a bed. I can smell Jade’s perfume, sweet and citrusy as she climbs in with me. I’m not sure if she’s staying, but I can’t fight the call to slumber for a second longer.
The world goes dark, and I experience a modicum of peace at last.
ChapterSix
Ana
Pulsing pain throbs in my temples, pulling me out of a deep and unsatisfactory sleep. Feeling disoriented and sleepy, I untuck my knees from their curled up state, stretching out slowly. Pointing my toes causes my ankles to crack, and I whine softly into my pillow, feeling soreness creep in. My whole body aches, worse than it ever does after a grueling day at the gym.
Reluctantly, I allow my eyes to crack open and immediately frown. I’m not in my bedroom, I’m in Jade’s. Yesterday wasn’t the worst nightmare I’ve ever experienced, it was all real. Every single horrible second of it.
The realization should send me into a depressive panic, but whatever drug Doc gave me must still be in effect. I still see flashes of Cole and Killian being shot, the images are impossible to ward off, but their effect on me seems to be dulled. I’m not sure if I could cry if I tried.
Sitting up on the bed, I rub my eyes before looking around the room. I’m alone, and from the small crack in the curtains, it looks like it’s dark outside. Frowning, I walk on unsteady legs to take a closer peek. Sure enough, the sun has set almost entirely and the sky is a deep blue, slowly turning black. I knew I must have slept for hours, but I didn’t think it was long enough for this.
My bladder suddenly screams to be relieved, another sign that I was unconscious for far too long. Padding over to Jade’s ensuite, I quickly do my business and wash my hands. In the mirror, my gaze looks hollow and haunted. Dark circles shadow the skin beneath my eyes, and streaks of red cloud the whites.
You’ve looked better,I comment silently.
Splashing some cold water on my dry skin, I take a few deep breaths before leaving the bathroom. There’s nothing else I can do to make myself look more alive, and if there was, I wouldn’t have the energy to actually execute any of it.
My stomach grumbles as I head for the bedroom’s exit. I need a glass of water and maybe something to eat if I can manage it. As soon as the door creaks open, I wince from the brightness of the hall. A hall that isn’t empty.
Sitting in an out-of-place chair right across from Jade’s door, Remo Moretti looks up from his laptop. His blue eyes widen at the sight of me, like he didn’t expect me to wake any time soon.
“Hello,” he says, slightly dazed. “You’re awake. Are you all right?”
As soon as he asks it, he grimaces.
