Page 42 of Crown Of Blood

Nicole kept me updated all day—every text clipped and efficient.She’s fine. She called her family. She’s helping Sofia with homework.

I should’ve been angry that she used her phone.

I wasn’t.

I smiled, of all damn things.

Because of course she did.

Of course, she’d defy me the first chance she got.

She’s trouble in its purest form.

And I’ve never wanted anything more.

When I finally make it upstairs, the penthouse is quiet. Too quiet.

The lights are low. Nicole’s jacket is gone from the hook—she’s already left for the night.

I start down the hall toward my room, exhaustion dragging at my bones. Then I stop.

Her door’s open.

Empty.

My pulse spikes instantly.

The silence turns into a scream in my head.

“Isabella?”

No answer.

For one terrifying heartbeat, I think she’s gone. That she found a way out. That she’s out there, alone, unprotected, and I’llnever—

Then I hear it.

Her voice. Soft. Gentle. From farther down the hall.

I follow the sound, every muscle still tight, until I reach Sofia’s door.

It’s cracked open, just enough for the light to spill through.

I step closer—and freeze.

Isabella’s sitting on the edge of Sofia’s bed, the little one curled against her side, tiny fingers tangled in the hem of her sweater. She’s whispering something, her voice low and careful.

“Are you staying with us forever?” My breath stops when Sofia asks Isabella the question. Like I am waiting for her answer to breathe again, but I can’t hear her low answer.

“Papà smiles more now. He doesn’t yell as much. I think he’s happier since you came.” My throat feels like it is going to close up. I never meant Sofia to see that side of me. I try my hardest to give her only my best side, but my little girl has always seen more than she should.

Sofia mumbles something about queens and crowns, and Isabella smiles softly, smoothing her hair.

“I’ll still help him anyway I can. And I’ll always be your friend, okay? Always,” she’s saying, and leans in and kisses my girl.

The sight hits harder than any bullet ever could.

My throat tightens, the breath leaving me all at once.