27. Manuel
TWENTY-SEVEN
MANUEL
I knew something was wrong as soon as I pulled up to the building and spied my men lying dead in the alley.
I threw my door open and jumped out, rushing into the building and taking the steps two at a time. I didn’t bother with picking the lock. Instead, I pulled out my gun, screwed on the silencer, a soft pop sound, and a bullet had pierced through the lock, the door falling open.
I rushed through the dark, empty apartment. It was mere hours ago that we dropped off the women here. Where were they all? I continued in the direction of Athena’s room and stopped short.
My beautiful girl lay unconscious as a masked man was in the process of restraining her, taking no care of her limp body. He jerked her back and forth, her head repeatedly hitting the hardwood.
A red mist coated my vision.
I couldn’t think, the anger so swift and so violent that I rushed into the room with a roar. I went berserk, hell-bent on destroying everything in my path. Porca puttana ! I’d make these assholes regret ever setting their sights on her.
“Touch her again, and I’ll skin you alive.”
The men jerked, but before they could react, I shot the first masked guy in the head. A string of Chinese curses followed, telling me these were Triads. In the distance, I heard a car revving, but I focused on the immediate danger.
I prowled forward, my gun remaining trained on the fuckers.
“Put down your swords or I will shoot. Right fucking now!”
One of the men grabbed Athena by her throat, dragging her limp body off the floor.
I pulled the trigger, hitting the masked man in the chest. But the fucker must had been wearing a bulletproof vest because he barely staggered back. I aimed for the second guy and took my shot. Blood splattered from his arm.
The man who seemed to be the leader issued an order: “Pull out.”
I took another shot, piercing straight through the leg of the man dragging Athena’s body. Another roar filled the space.
“You’re not taking her with you,” I gritted.
The masked men shared a wordless exchange and turned as one, jumping out of the window and into the dark night.
Adrenaline pumping, I rushed across the room before dropping to my knees in front of Athena’s slumped body.
Still gripping the gun, not trusting the Triads wouldn’t come back, I cradled her face.
“ Amorina … wake up.” To my relief, her eyes fluttered open, and I released a breath I’d been holding since I arrived and found my worst nightmare unfolding.
Athena
A familiar voice pulled me from unconsciousness. When I opened my eyes, I saw broad shoulders and a wide chest, packaged in a three-piece Brioni suit. And then recognition slowly sunk in as I met the dark gaze full of worry staring at me.
“ Dio mio , I almost had a heart attack.”
He leaned closer, his scent filling my lungs, and I inhaled greedily. “At your age, it’s not improbable.”
The edge of his mouth lifted slightly. “I am glad to see you still have your sense of humor.”
I let out a soft snort. “Those ninjas didn’t break my spirit the last time and they certainly won’t crush it this time.”
He dragged the back of his knuckles across my cheek. “Okay, amorina , we have to get the fuck out of here.”
I shook my head. “Raven and Phoenix. I want to check their rooms.” His brows furrowed and alert shot through me. “What? Did they get hurt? Phoenix can’t hear and?—”
He pressed his mouth against mine to silence me. “Nobody’s in this apartment.”
Relief slammed into me. “Really?”
“Yes.” It was the best outcome I could have hoped for. He tucked his pistol into his waistband at the small of his back, then as if he didn’t even have me in his arms, he stood up effortlessly. “I’ll show you.”
And sure as fuck, I was the only one in the little apartment that had seen years of mischief, laughter, heartbreaks, secrets, and a friendship that would forever bind us together.
“I never thought I’d be happy to say that I’m glad those two aren’t here,” I murmured. “Although, I wonder where they went? We came back together, and then we all went to our rooms after the stupid engagement party.”
Manuel shrugged. “Who knows, but it’s probably for the best that they aren’t here.”
I met his gaze. “Why are you carrying me?”
“You just had a traumatic experience and?—”
I let out an exasperated breath, wiggling out of his grip. “I’m all better now. Put me down.” I refused to be a weakling, clinging to her man. My man. Shit, that sounded perfect.
“No.”
I shoved at him.
“Manuel, put me down.” His gaze cut to me and we stared at each other for several beats. My mouth dried as the familiar tug between us roared to life, but I stood firm. “Please.”
“We’re leaving this place.”
I wasn’t stupid enough to argue that very valid idea with him. I knew when it was time to throw in the towel.
“Okay,” I conceded. “But I’m walking out of here.”
He must have considered his options, because he finally gave me a lopsided grin that would melt the hardest of hearts.
He squeezed my hand, warming my chest. “I’ll be right by your side the whole time, amorina .”
I couldn’t help but return the gesture with a soft smile of my own.
“Just admit it, paparino , you like holding my hand.”
His expression turned predatory, much like a wolf poised to devour me.
“Damn right I do, and I want the whole world to know it.” His gaze glittered darkly, promising sinful things that had my heart tripping over itself.
I rushed back into my room, grabbed a bag, and shoved a few essentials into it. I scanned my space one last time and felt a wave of exasperation wash over me at the sight of the shattered bedside table. As if on cue, Manuel appeared at my shoulder and seemed to understand, because he proceeded to gather up the pieces of wood and tuck them deep into my closet. Then, he threw my bag over his shoulder, and we walked out of the tiny apartment.
As we stepped out onto the sidewalk, we ran into my half brother, Danil Popov. The photos I’d seen didn’t do him any justice. He wore beige linen pants and a tight T-shirt, managing to look both sophisticated and non-threatening. Although Danil Popov was handsome in his own right, there was an element of authority and danger emanating from him.
He stood next to a man, likely his bodyguard, considering he was huge and had a gun poking out from under his jacket. He wore a dark suit and stood like a brick wall. The man’s scar running from his left temple down to his jaw did nothing to mar his gorgeous features.
“Well, well, well, what have we got here?” was my half brother’s greeting while every fiber of my being reeled with shock.
I never thought I’d meet my half brother or any of his family. In fact, I didn’t want to meet them, perfectly fine never to cross paths with them. However, it would seem destiny wasn’t as kind because it threw him in my path.
“What are you doing here?’ I blurted, but they all ignored me. Danil’s gaze was locked on Manuel.
“I asked you a question, Marchetti.”
Manuel’s face hardened into a scary expression, one I’d never seen before, even when he learned who my mother was.
“Watch it, Popov, or you might find yourself without a territory.”
Yikes.
The moment stretched as they glared at each other. “And that’s my thanks for clearing out the bodies—your men—off the street.”
My brows furrowed, not following the meaning.
“Nobody fucking asked you to, Popov.”
Cold fury rolled in waves, clashing between the two men. The silence stretched, and I held my breath until Danil’s eyes darted to me.
“You weren’t supposed to get pulled into this fucked-up mafia world, Athena Kosta. Alexandra should’ve done a better job at keeping you safe.”
I stilled.
He knew my name. Did he know I was his sister? And how did he know Alexandra was my mother? As far as I knew, she’d kept me a secret from the world.
However, there was one thing that was clear by my half brother’s tone: he didn’t like my mother.
Maybe he hated me, too. Could he be behind what just happened with the masked men? Anger burned in my chest at the suggestion of such a betrayal.
Don’t jump to conclusions.
“What do you mean?” I breathed, something familiar about his words. My skin prickled as silence stretched. Danil gave his head a subtle shake, then returned his eyes to Manuel, but I wasn’t having it. Taking a step forward, refusing to shy away from his towering frame, I repeated, “I asked you a question.”
Danil moved, stepping closer, but Manuel was quicker. He had his gun pointed at my half brother.
To my surprise, Danil seemed amused rather than angry. “You’re brave, Athena. That’s good. You’ll need it.”
My brow furrowed at the odd comment. “Why?”
Again, he ignored me and flicked a cold glance at Manuel. “Unless you’re prepared to shoot me, I suggest you put that gun away.”
Manuel stiffened, fury and power emanating off him, and suddenly the mood turned arctic. I feared there’d be a full-blown shootout right here and now if we didn’t leave.
“Excuse us, gentlemen.” I flashed them a polite smile, squeezing Manuel’s hand. It gave me the courage I needed. I wasn’t a fool to think they weren’t capable of raining terror down on us—siblings or not. The hard, dangerous gleam in their eyes set me on edge.
“I do love it when I’m proven right, Manuel,” Danil drawled, his tone cold. “I thought you didn’t know Athena Kosta.”
Wait, what? Danil Popov was asking Manuel about me. What was that about?
“Danil. Soren.” He dipped his chin at both men. “As nice as it is to see you, it’s time we left.” It was clear by Manuel’s tone that it wasn’t a pleasant run-in at all.
“We’re not done here. I want to know why you weren’t honest with me earlier,” Danil said, running his tongue across his teeth as though agitated.
But before Manuel could respond, I chimed in. “Manuel and I matched on Tinder. We were about to grab a late dinner until you two rudely interrupted us.”
It was so random and far-fetched that I almost expected everyone to start laughing. They didn’t, but their expressions clearly indicated they thought I was full of shit.
“What a remarkable coincidence,” Danil deadpanned. “The same night I inquired about you, a Tinder match was made. Maybe I should give Tinder a try.” His voice was dark and mocking. “What do you think, Soren?”
The man snickered. “Probably won’t help you.”
Okay, maybe he wasn’t his bodyguard because I don’t think he’d talk to him that way. Not that I knew how guards usually behaved, but the men Manuel assigned to me acted as silent shadows.
I smiled sweetly. “I’m afraid your friend’s right. Don’t bother, something tells me you’d be unmatchable.” Soren rubbed a hand across his mouth, fighting off a grin. “Now, if you’ll excuse us.”
Danil’s eyes flashed, letting out an amused breath. “I’m not done.”
I didn’t want to spend another minute around this man or wait for the Triads to catch up to us.
“But we are. Now move out of the way.”
Manuel turned to Danil. “You heard my woman. Now get out of our way before I shoot you.”
My woman.
I chanced a smile. This man was giving me so much book material.
We sidestepped him and I waved. “ Ciao .”
I pushed my shoulders back and walked next to Manuel as we made our way to his car, all while my mind ran through a dozen different thoughts. What was Danil doing here, and was it a coincidence an attempt was just made on my life?
Once we were in the car, he gave me his full attention. “Tinder, huh?”
I shrugged. “It’s original if nothing else.” I turned my face to look at his profile. “By the way, where are those bodyguards you assigned?”
He ignored my question and instead focused on the topic of Danil. “You know Danil is your half brother.”
Not willing to let my original query go, I asked again, “Manuel, where are the bodyguards?”
I suspected I knew the answer. It had to be what Danil was referring to when he mentioned cleaning up the bodies. “The Triads got to them.”
I had never met them, but the responsibility I felt still weighed heavy on my chest. “Did… did either of them have a family?”
He flicked me a look. “I’ll take care of their families.” It didn’t make the guilt go away, but it made it a tiny bit better. “Now my turn, you know Danil Popov and his relations to you.”
I pursed my lips. “I know of him. I’ve never met him.” A memory flickered in the back of my mind but refused to come forward. Then I narrowed my eyes on him. “And how do you know?”
He turned in his seat to face me fully, his eyes suddenly more serious and tender than ever. “I have been very interested in all things to do with you since you left my bed on our first night together.” I shook my head, not following whatever he was trying to say. “It’s not in my nature to leave a single stone unturned.”
At a loss for words, I just stared at him, and he flashed me a handsome grin.
“This must be a first. My amorina is speechless,” he drawled, putting his car into drive.
“I’m not,” I protested, not sure what to think of his admission. My reason warned he was acting like an obsessed stalker. My stupid heart leaned into it. Yeah… that was definitely concerning. “Where are we going?” I asked, not yet ready to deal with my warring emotions.
“We’re taking a drive. It’s about fifteen hours away, and it’s somewhere I can guarantee your safety.”
I reached for my phone, wanting to check if Raven and Phoenix were okay. I typed a quick message to the girls.
Is everyone okay? I’m good but have to disappear for a bit.
Then his statement sunk in and I frowned. “Why wouldn’t we take a plane? It’s faster.”
“Because that’s what’s expected. You’ve been through enough today. Leave the rest to me.”
Well, it seemed Manuel thought of everything.