Page 19 of The Rise of an Heiress

“And if I don’t want to be the dragon head and just want a normal life?”

Papa answers this time. “He won’t let this go. You’re a loose end.”

Dom walks me out of the room as I’m still processing. Once we’re outside of Donna’s door, he stops and grabs my shoulders.

“We won’t let anything happen to you. We’ll be there for you.I’llbe there for you.” I nod and look into his eyes.

“Sempre,” I whisper.

He pulls me into a hug. A real hug. We stand in silence before I join Donna.

The rest of the evening has me reeling over this new information about my life. Everything I know is a lie. I thought my dad was just a soldier and that I’d been put into hiding because my mother was a traitor. I knew Papa had a reputation, but I’m really starting to see the extent of his true colors. I wasn’t angry; I know he did all of this to protect me.

What kind of fucked up situation is this? Was I really going to have to take over? If I choose to walk away, what would I do then? Change my name and move again? Would I have to cut all ties from my family? I shoot down the idea the moment it crosses my mind. Absolutely no way am I leaving my family behind. Papa and Dom are right. I don’t have a choice.

This isn’t something I can run from anymore.

I have to kill Andrew Li and take over or die. The question is how?

Chapter Five

Nico

Three dead bodies.

Three dead bodies, all with a single bullet hole in each.

Who is this woman?

“I’m going to fucking kill her,” I say, scanning the scene.

I’m standing over three fucking dead bodies. Luckily, the cops are on our payroll, so they clear out fast enough.

“I want to see the security footage,” I demand, knowing the cameras are disabled.

Being so fucking pissed, I’m in the mood to be a dick, so I’m going to be unreasonable. Did I mention the three dead bodies?

“Pulling up the footage now,” Dante replies, typing on his laptop in hand.

“Wait, no one disabled the cameras?” I ask.

“They fucked up. Idiots. No wonder she took them down so easily.”

“She did?”

I know it was her, but still not willing to accept it.

“Take a look.” Dante hands me the laptop.

I pull up grainy video footage. It looks like the taxi pulled up to the SUV, as planned. Idiots—how hard is it to follow simple instructions? I practically spoon-fed them this mission. I’m glad she took them out.

I watch the screen, mesmerized by her speed and grace. She shoots Joe, who was in the driver’s seat, before Mario and Rafaele get to the car. Damn, she’s fast. She shoots Mario right in the forehead as he opens the door—no hesitation. I can’t help but be impressed. Rafaele drags her out of the car, and she manages to get the upper hand and takes off. He throws his shoe at her. His fucking shoe. I take a deep breath as I watch this embarrassing encounter continue. As he goes to grab her, she uses her whole body and knocks him on his back, shooting him in the forehead. Damn. For a tiny thing, she’s got some fight in her. She took them out in four minutes flat. And she knows how to use a gun.Rein it in, Nico.She just killed three of your men.Why are you complimenting her?

I pinch the bridge of my nose. Those fucking ass heads. I’m only glad she killed them, so I don’t have to waste time and energy doing it myself.

“She’s feisty. A pint-sized goddess of destruction,” Dante says admirably, looking over my shoulder.

I look over at him. His eyes are glazed with lust. I don’t like it one bit.

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