Page 32 of Fatal Love

She cracked open one eye and glared at me. I raised my brow, daring her to argue with me. She must have realized I wasn’t playing around because she closed her eye and kept quiet.

Once we got back to my parents’ estate, I helped her to our room and tucked her in bed. She was pale but continued insisting she just needed rest. I closed the door and headed down to the study unable to shake the feeling something was wrong with her—maybe some lingering effects of her ordeal earlier in the week, but I pushed the concern down. The vibration in my pocket derailed the negative thoughts consuming me. Michael’s face filled the screen. It was odd for him to be calling me at this hour. It was only eight in the morning back in Vegas.

“Michael?” I pressed the phone to my ear and held my breath for the worse.

“He’s awake.”

My ears rang with his words as my vision swam in front of me. I stumbled forward, crashing my knee into the desk.

“What did you say?”

“Vincenzo is awake.”

I dropped into the chair as the sob escaped my lips. My brother was awake. Ivanov had failed at trying to kill him. “How is he?”

“He’s Vin. The doctors said if his tests come back okay this morning, he’ll go home later today.”

The guilt crept in as I thought of my brother back home. “I wish I was there.”

“I know. And he keeps asking where you are. Massimo said once he gets settled at home, he’ll bring them both up to speed. For now—”

I cut him off. “I know. I shouldn’t call him. He’d get it out of me because I don't think I have it in me to lie anymore to him.”

“How's Rachel?”

“She’s sleeping. We were down at the beach, and she got sick.”

Michael must have sensed something in my voice. “You seem… worried about something. Did you have the doctor look at her?”

“She refused. You know she’s as stubborn as a mule.”

“Yeah. That’s true. But if she isn’t better in a day or two, call him anyway.”

“I will.” I sighed. “I miss you, Michael. We miss you.”

“Same here. I’m hoping with the news of Vincenzo’s release, Ivanov will slip up and make a move.”

“Is he safe?”

“That’s a dumb question. You know your brother. Massimo has recruited some of Miguel’s men to protect the entire family. They’re also helping locate the missing guns.”

“Any luck on that front?” I squeezed the bridge of my nose.

Not one but two shipments of guns had gone missing, and there was no doubt Ivanov was behind the disappearance. Massimo was certain he was planning to tip off the Feds and pinning the illegal weapons on us. Miguel Angel and his crew were just as invested in finding them, because without us, they wouldn’t have the protection the Anastasi’s afforded them.

“Donny said they have some leads.”

“Let me know what you find.”

“And you let me know how Rachel is. I’ll call later this afternoon so I can talk to her. Maybe if I ask, she’ll let the doctor check her out.” I laughed because he was probably right since she missed him enough to do whatever he asked. “All right. I’ll talk to you later. Please give everyone my love.”

“I will. I love you and Rachel. Tell her, will you?”

“Of course. I love you, too.”

I leaned back in the desk chair and ran my hands through my hair. Now that Vin was awake, things would move fast. Ivanov would likely lash out, knowing he hadn’t killed my brother. And since Rachel was tucked away with me here, I worried about who would be the one to feel his wrath.

“Antonio?” The shrill sound of my sisters echoed through the house.

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