Page 7 of Don’t Break My Heart (Secrets of Ravens Hollow #3)

I scream frantically as I grip hold of Romeo and Orlando’s thighs, fear rocketing through me. Are we about to be next? Is this the war they were talking about, their enemies ready to blow us up? “What the hell?”

In a rush, Jagger pulls the car off to the side of the road and turns off the engine.

Orlando takes my face in his hand, his eyes locking with mine.

He stares at me, his chest rising and falling quickly.

My heart is racing so fast I can hear it thumping in my ears.

His lips twist up at the sides cruelly, like I’m in on his joke.

But I have no clue what is going on. “Did you really think I was going to let him rule over our lives, treasure? I told you to trust me. I would burn this fucking world down for you.”

I blink back at him, trying to get my rapid breathing under control, but it’s no use, I’m in full panic mode. “You did this?” I gasp, so shocked that it’s all I can come up with.

His eyes twinkle with delight. He’s fucked in the head right now, but something in it majorly turns me on.

“They did this, on my orders.” He motions to my brothers in the front, and it all makes sense.

Them being here as our drivers, his behavior, the way he was trying to get me to act, it was all a show for his papa until the grand fucking finale .

Cruz cackles out a laugh. “It’s what you get for messing with my little sister.” He winks in my direction. “Boom.” He motions an explosion with his hands like the crazy motherfucker he is.

I stare back at him, unable to share his same enthusiasm for what I just witnessed.

“You assholes could have warned me,” I snap, still shaken half to death.

“I thought we were next.” Relief washes over me knowing Emilio is dead and this isn’t part of the war between the families they were just talking about, but then the realization of what this really means drops down on me like a ton of bricks. My eyes go wide. “Orlando, this means…”

He grips my hand a little tighter. “Don’t worry about any of that, treasure, I’ll take care of it.”

I keep staring back at him, my heartbeat a constant thump in my ears. How can he take care of this? His papa set me up thinking it would save him, but now I’m his only heir because his sons killed him for me anyway. He’s in chunks on the pavement in front of us. We all fucking know what it means.

I’m in even more trouble. I’m going to be a target.

“Right now, we need to play the part of his grieving family,” Romeo says as he pops open his door.

“Stay here with Onyx and Reef while we sort out this mess.” His grin is way too delighted for a man who just witnessed his papa blowing up.

But why wouldn’t it be? He hated this man, they all did.

I guess I should have trusted that they would come through for me.

Orlando follows him out, and they run toward the burning vehicle, phones up to their ears in a dramatic scene. All fake. They just killed their papa for me, and even though I’m pissed I wasn’t let in on the plan, I think I might have just fallen a little deeper for them both.

“Why do you look like that, trouble?” Onyx asks from the back of the car .

I suck in a shaky breath, wondering how I explain this to them. I turn toward him and Reef. “When their papa called me over to talk on the plane, he said he signed everything over to me in his will, everything, including his enemies. If he’s dead…”

Onyx’s eyes flash with something dark and unhinged. “Then you’re in more trouble than when he was alive.” He finishes my sentence for me, understanding my fresh worry.

“The boys have a plan, Sloane, that’s why we’re all here,” Jagger snips from the front.

Onyx slips his hand into mine, and I realize he’s just handed me something cold and hard.

I glance up at him.

His lips quirk at the sides, pleased with himself. “Your knife, I found it on the boat.”

My heart does a little happy dance knowing this man always knows what I need at the exact right time I need it.

A little something to help me feel safer, even if it’s a false sense of security, because who the fuck knows what we’re up against. “Thank you.” I grip it tightly, thankful to have it back, then slip it safely into my pocket.

But his hand is still held out to me, and his eyes lock with mine, a more serious expression on his face. “Now I want the pills you’re hiding in the other pocket.”

I huff out a breath as my brow rises, unimpressed. “That’s not a fair trade.” I pout, looking to Reef for some support on this, but he just shrugs, and I know he agrees with Onyx.

“Doesn’t have to be fair,” he grumbles, and I know he’s not going to let this one go.

“I’ll make sure you get what you need, wildcat, but this situation is about to escalate, and we have all decided it’s best if you’re not self-medicating,” Reef assures me, a flash of concern registering in his features.

I fumble in my pocket then pull them free, handing the pills to him reluctantly before turning back around in a huff. They think they are helping, but sometimes taking extra pills is the only way I can regulate myself. I don’t want to have to go to him begging for what I need.

When I finally glance up, I find Jagger is watching us in the rearview mirror. I don’t miss the flash of disappointment in his expression. The big brotherly concern. “Still abusing the meds, Sis?”

“You have to be kidding me. I just found out I was married to a Moretti, so excuse me for needing a fucking break, Jagger,” I snip back, folding my arms over my chest, not ready for the big brother lecture today.

I have been through enough. There is also a long list of shit I need to discuss with my big brother.

Shit I know he’s not going to answer, like why is he fucking the new commissioner, and hey, thanks for lying through your teeth to me about Syd.

That fucker is the reason we are all in this situation now.

My big brother isn’t as perfect as he would like to make out.

Cruz turns in his seat so he’s facing me, a cheeky grin on his lips.

“I hear you rid the world of another scumbag.” His eyes gleam with excitement at the thought.

“Stryker clean-up crew is working overtime today.” His grin is sardonic and everything I need to see right now, something normal.

My big brother the psychopath. And fuck, I love him for it.

“Job was long overdue,” I sass, my eyes locking with Jagger’s, my face bitchy as hell. The job he said he had taken care of is now actually taken care of.

“You did good, Sloane,” he mutters, but by the tone of his voice, I can tell he has more to say on the topic. He just doesn’t want to do it here in front of the others, and I wouldn’t want to if I was him either .

When a flash of red speeds past us and pulls up, I glance at Reef and find him staring out the window watching Orlando and Romeo as they meet with a fire crew who have just arrived on scene.

I can’t help but wonder what he’s thinking.

Reef is well and truly on the other side of the law now, and he’s been so damn quiet.

His cheeky smile is nowhere to be seen. It’s him I feel the worst for.

He looks more broken than me, and that is saying something.

“What happened with your job, Reef?” I ask quietly, needing to know how bad it is for him.

He shifts his attention back to me. “It’s not important, wildcat,” he mutters, his voice filled with no emotion.

But I can see to him it is important. It might not have been the profession he grew up dreaming about finding himself in, but he was good at his job, and I know he got something out of it.

Even if it was only his sense of identity.

“I’m so sorry,” I whisper, feeling close to tears again for everything he’s given up for me.

“Hey.” He reaches for me, lacing our hands together. “This isn’t on you.”

“But you came to the island for me. You hid me when you could have turned me in back when you raided the club,” I whisper, knowing this is on me.

Everything he’s done over the last couple of months has been for me, to hide my true identity and to keep me safe.

I will never forget his reaction on our first date when I got those threatening photos.

Right then I knew he would do anything to protect me, and as sweet as it is, I don’t want him destroying his life for me.

His sad green eyes lock with mine. They are darker today, more like the ocean during a storm, and I feel our overwhelming connection right through to my soul.

He’s always had this effect on me, right from the first time I met him at my club.

“You know how I feel about you, Sloane. I was never going to rat you out to my boss or Emilio. ”

I offer him a half smile, hating that my brothers are here for this conversation. “I’m lucky to have you on my side,” I say softly, instead of admitting how deeply I have fallen for him, when I know I should. When I know how much I owe this man for what he’s given up for me.

“Besides, it’s going to be more fun following your cute little body around. I was always jealous of how much time the big guy got with you.” His cheeky smile returns, but I know this one is forced just for me. He doesn’t want me to see his real pain. But I can feel it, and it crushes me.

“Good luck, you’re about to find out how much trouble she really is,” Onyx mutters, but his voice holds a playful edge to it.

I smirk back at him. “Only when you assholes don’t let me do what I want.

It would all be so easy if I was the one in charge.

” I return my attention to the front. “You two better make sure I have a club to come home to. If Sally quits on me and Asher fucks every girl in sight, I’m not going to be happy. ”

“I have Asher under control. And we both know Sally would do anything for you.” Jagger smirks like he knows shit he’s not telling me. Under control doesn’t give me a lot of confidence because we both know no one can control Asher; he does whatever the fuck he wants.

My eyes narrow in on Jagger. Romeo said I would be able to work on the club from Italy. I know now’s not the best time, but it’s been weeks and I’m getting desperate. “Can I call them and check in?”

I see the way Jagger looks to Onyx for the okay. I flick my angry gaze to him. Why is he in charge here? He works for my brothers, doesn’t he?

“I’m in another country and my identity’s been outed to the fucking world, so I don’t see how it’s going to be too dangerous now,” I add just to sweeten the deal .

Onyx considers me, then to my surprise, he reaches inside his pocket and hands me my phone. My phone! I stare at it in disbelief. I never thought they would give this back to me.

“Thank you,” I mouth before I hit dial on Sally’s number quickly, so they don’t have the chance to change their minds. It’s eight in the morning here, so that should make it about one a.m. at home. She picks up on the third ring, and I can’t help but squeal her name. “Sally!”

“Oh my God, Sloane, is it really you?” she screams back at me.

“Yes! Is Myriah around?” I ask, feeling a fresh wave of emotion come over me. I have missed these girls like crazy. And I might not have been the emotional type when I was dragged from the club in handcuffs, but I most certainly am now.

“Right here, girl. Where the fuck have you been?” Myriah cries down the line.

I glance at my brother in the front, not wanting to get into details with them here. “It’s a long story.” I sniff, wiping a stray tear from my cheek.

“Sloane, are you crying?” Myriah asks, sounding surprised.

“No. It’s just a bad line.” I sniff again, trying to get the waterworks under control.

I’m never going to admit to anyone what an emotional mess I have become, but having your life ripped from your hands will do that to a girl, I guess.

“It will be easier to keep in contact with you now. If you need anything, call me on this number or call Onyx or Romeo, I’m with them. ”

“Where are you now or shouldn’t we ask?” comes Sally’s voice.

I glance at Onyx, and he nods that I can tell them.

“I’m in Italy. Just need to tie up some loose ends and I will be home. Are you girls okay? If you need anything, just let me know. ”

“Loose ends with your husband’s family? Girl, I still can’t believe you’re that missing kid and you’re married to a Moretti. The rumors around this place have been insane. There was even a news crew here when I arrived today. Is it true?”

My head drops, and I suck in a deep breath, knowing even when I do go home, nothing will ever be the same again. This was what I was so afraid of, the world knowing my truth, the people I love treating me differently because of who my real family was. “It’s true.”

“Don’t worry, we told them to fuck off.”

I can’t help the laugh that leaves my lips. “I’m sure you did, Myriah.”

“It was Alex’s people. Fuck, it pisses me off that he thinks he can control this town with his media company. I called him and told him as much on your behalf.”

Oh shit. “Thank you, but next time maybe leave Alex out of it.” The mention of his name makes me think of Harley, and I wonder how she’s going. As soon as I get off the phone with these two, she’s my next call. “Enough about me, I need a rundown on every last thing that’s happened since I left.”