Chapter 66
“Ales.” Can opwend ts eyes, trying to speak. His teeth chattered uncontrollably, and only a few murmurs clipped past his lips. He didn’t have a lot of
and whatever was left–be word to gasp for sir
Tall for help,” Jay yelled, sprinting away with sal behind tom
Teal Dorezno,” Levi said.
“Don’t tell him about.“My voice trailed off, thinking about Uncle Stefans. That was not something to tell him over the phone, and if anything–1 should be the one to do it. Who knew how he would react?
*I know,* Levi nodded, then made his way outside. If it were up to me, I would’ve picked up my brother and driven him to the hospital myself, but I was no doctor and didn’t know how much more harm that could cause him.
“Uncle dead.” Glas managed to whisper, fighting through the pain. “He told me hide survive I went and then-” his words were cut short by a fit of coughing followed by more shivers.
“Stop talking.” I urged him, unable to bear seeing him like this any longer. That fear in his eyes? This wasn’t my brother.
Without a second thought, I stripped off my shirt and then my jacket before pulling thEmily over his head in a desperate attEmilypt to keep him warm. Following my lead, Donni did the same. I could freeze to death for all I cared–but not my brother. I had never been that big on praying, but I was praying he wouldn’t die on me.
I wrapped my arms around my brother and placed his head on my lap, thinking this could be our final moments. Even though we had been inseparable from the day he was born, all my life I had bullied him, teased him, underestimated him–and now I wished I hadn’t.
The thought of someone as weak as Jason, killing Uncle and hurting Gian to this degree seEmilyed beyond belief. I could not accept this was done by the same guy who couldn’t even throw a punch. It was Emilybarrassing, humiliating.
“Did you see the face of the person who did this?” I asked, even though I knew he wasn’t in the right mind to answer. It pained me to consider the worst case scenario, but I had to know–in case he wouldn’t make it.
“Theard Uncle argue. I couldn’t hear anything but a gunshot… then I heard t–this g–guy…” Gian breathed with each word. “He s–said you s–stole Emily f from him a and that he’s w–with the B Baldinis now.”
My chest tightened with guilt. Of course, I hadn’t expected Leonardo Baldini to sit back and not do anything, but I hadn’t expected him to join forces with Jason either. I never meant for any of this to happen or for the Baldinis‘ hatred to go this far.
“Was he on his own? How many voices did you hear?” I asked, looking down at his fingers. I swallowed hard, seeing the tips were black.
“T–Three or four.”
Enough said. Leonardo went as far as lending Jason his men. This was only the beginning.
“You should’ve never let her into this family,” Gian spoke, his face stoned but his eyes full of anger.
“Shh,” I hushed him gently, not wanting to hear any more of his opinion. This had nothing to do with Emily–absolutely nothing. All of this was beyond her control.
“Ic–can’t feel my legs, a arms,” I could hear the fear in his voice.
“I know,” I replied, my heart sinking further. I held him closer. “Don’t talk anymore, please.” I knew it wouldn’t make much of a difference anym but as long as I could be hopeful and wish for a miracle, I would continue to do so.
I glanced back at Donni, who had been quieter than usual. “I knew this would happen,” he said the second we locked eyes. His tone was bitter.
“Not now,” I snapped, knowing what he was getting at, and now was not the time–not with the state Gian was in.
“You should’ve never put a tracker in her ring and made us follow her. You should’ve never dragged a random maid into your issues, and you shouldn’t have threatened him, only to spare his life,” Donni ignored my request. “And now Stefano is dead, and we have to drag your brather out of a fucking freezer-”
Chapter 66
“Just shut up!” I yelled, unable to control my anger. “One more word and you’re next. Shut up.” I told him. The tension between us was like it had never been, and it was clear he still had a lot to say.
Donni cursed under his breath, then turned so he didn’t have to look at Gian.
“Ales,” Gian whispered, his voice barely there.
His condition was worsening with each breath, and I feared the next one might be his last. He didn’t look good. “Ales,” he called out again.
“Yes, I’m here.”
“N–None of i–it is r–real?” Gian’s voice was weak, but his question was clear.
I rEmilyained quiet on purpose. If he was going to die, I didn’t want it to be with the thought of his big brother being a liar, especially when that lie would cost him his life. His eyes were wide open, begging me for an answer which I couldn’t give. Unfortunately, my silence answered all he needed to know.
“U–Uncle is d–dead, I’m d–dead–and n–none of it w–was real?”
“Shh,” I soothed, rocking him back and forth after hearing that nonsense. “You’re not going to die,” I tried convincing myself more than him because he had already accepted the possible outcome.
If only he could hold on for just a bit longer, fight until his body couldn’t allow it anymore. He couldn’t die on me. I was supposed to keep him safe. I had always looked out for him because that’s what Mom and Dad told me a big brother should do.
He couldn’t die on me, because if he did–it meant I had failed him. My little brother.
“You’re not going to die,” I repeated again and again, pressing my lips to his freezing forehead. “You’re not going to die.”
