Page 16 of The Queen's Vow (Ruthless Games 2)

Set his ass straight.

If he laid a hand on Bastien again...

His dark eyes found mine just then like we were telepathically linked.

The shudder ran deep when I saw Giancarlo’s eyes were on me as well. His mother and father had attended the service. Francesca Bianco Byrne had put some distance between us once she found out Gian had been blackmailing me. And that I sent my father out of the country, leaving the others, Anthony Sr., Richard, and Patrick Byrne holding the bag for the Sunrise drug deal Julian had brought to my attention.

I thought with my mother back in the states, I could reach out to her. That she’d help me. Guide me. She watched my father do this for thirty years.

No, she resented me.

Dad passing meant she was no longer queen, I was.

Gil and Vale stood next to my Town Car, my driver waiting. I had to bring my own damn transportation because Mom only ordered one limo and there was no room after she, Nate, Lacey, my sisters and their husbands took up all the seats.

It’d felt lonely, but it was for the best. Now the motorcade could leave and I could let loose on my father. Yell at him the way I couldn’t when I first learned about the horrid drug deal he’d risked everyone’s safety for.

“I’m gonna stay for a while,” I said to Anthony. “You can all go back to the city.”

“Not a chance, angel. I don’t care if you have your guards. I don’t leave you behind.”

I smiled. “It will look...”

He stood over me. “I’m getting tired of us worrying how this looks, too. I promise.” With Anthony making a move on me, here came Nate.

After all the handshaking, I wouldn’t be surprised if his guitar playing took a hit. “Becs?” He called out to me. “Come on, we’ll make room in the car for you. I’m fine with Lacey sitting on my lap.”

I faced him. “No. Mom wants you, Cami, and Chrissy. I’m not in the mood for any of her sly remarks or wordless blame.”

He shifted on his feet, not arguing with me.

“It’s done.” I pointed to the open grave. “And I’m done pretending I’m not in charge of his world now. That those men aren’t my lovers.”

“Shhh.” Nate quieted me.

“Are you kidding me, Mr. Show-Off-My-Polyamorous-Lifestyle-On-Instagram?”

“I’m protecting you,” Nate snapped. “I live in L.A. It’s different there. Musicians are held to a different standard. And you’re my sister. I want you safe. I want you happy. I don’t want...”

My throat tightened. “You don’t want what?”

“Now isn’t the time to discuss this,” Anthony interjected. “We have a crowd watching from the motorcade. Nate, if you have something you want to discuss with respect to your father’s business, make an appointment with your sister.”

“Okay, that’s going a little too far. He’s my brother. He doesn’t need an appointment to talk to me, any more than you do.” I stood between them, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath gathering my wits before I totally lost control and started screaming at everyone. “I’m sorry. I’m just being a brat.”

“That’s the way I like her, I don’t know about you,” Anthony joked and his levity was just what I needed.

“Dude.” Nate spun around. “She’s my sister.”

Time to separate these alpha males. Queens apparently didn’t get time off, even when burying a father. “Nate, please take care of Mom. When I get to the house we’ll meet in Dad’s office and talk.”

“Fine.” Nate kissed me on the cheek.

“Seriously, get all these cars out of here.” I waved, hating a crowd watching me. “Go on.”

Nate hiked up the hill to the road with the line of cars. Once he got in the family limo, as if on cue, regardless of where I was, it took off. The others followed.

“Are we invited to this meeting in your dad’s office?” Anthony asked.

“Of course.” I patted his shoulder. “I’ll be done here soon. You can wait in my car with Bastien and Gian. I need to speak to my dad alone. I won’t be long.”

He gave a reluctant nod and trekked that way while Vale and Gil hovered nearby.

The sun felt strong in the sky, its rays glowing off the dark granite headstones all around me. Blinded, I refocused on my father’s grave site.

Something stirred a few rows away. Something dark. I looked up and my heart pounded.

“Dad?” I whispered to the man in a trench coat. Did he fake his death so he could sneak back into the country?

My eyes were still spotted from the sun. I resisted rubbing them or my mascara would smudge. I glanced up again and now the man stood one row away.

Not Dad.

He lifted a gun, the barrel so clear. Like I could see the bullet.

A shot rang out, the deafening crack of that bullet cutting through the air. Heading right for me.

Pain seared my forehead, my brother’s soft kiss a distant memory.

Warm blood dripped in my eyes.

My cheek struck the cool grass.

Shouting everywhere.

Three rough male voices so distinct.

Darkness surrounded me.

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