Page 65 of Legacy (The Sovereigns #2)
Adriana Scarlet
T he sun is just beginning to rise, streaks of gold and soft pink filtering through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the bed.
Angelo’s arm is heavy across my waist. His body, wrapped around mine, is a cocoon of heat. His breath ghosts against the back of my neck, steady. Soft. Safe.
And for the first time in my life… I feel calm.
Even with the war still looming, calm is over me because this man is mine.
Not a question.
Not a wish.
A fact.
I shift gently, rolling to face him. His mouth is relaxed in sleep, lashes casting shadows over sharp cheekbones, brow still slightly furrowed like he’s bracing even in his dreams.
God, I love him.
Not in fragments. Not in fear.
Fully.
I kiss his temple. Soft, careful. Then I slip out from under his arm and out of the bed, moving quietly through the bedroom.
I don’t rush as I get ready.
I’m not running from anything anymore. I’m walking into something I’m building myself. Something clean .
I’m turning down the job.
His voice echoes in my head from last night to open my own firm.
And that’s what I’m going to do.
I believe him.
I believe in me.
Ready to go, I leave him a note and slip out of the bedroom, the house quiet. I take the elevator to the parking garage.
The doors slide open, and I step out, then pause.
No Enzo.
No Nico.
There’s always someone stationed here. Always.
My chest tightens, a prickle running down my spine. I scan the corners, half expecting to see Nico’s scowl or Enzo’s nod, but there’s nothing. Just the low hum of the overhead lights and the distant echo of the garage.
Where the hell are they?
For a beat, I consider going back upstairs. Calling Angelo. But I shake it off, forcing my shoulders to straighten.
It’s fine. They probably rotated shifts.
I step forward, my boots clicking against the concrete.
I freeze for half a second.
Gio.
Leaning against the concrete wall near the cars, hidden in the shadows.
My heart kicks hard, but my face stays calm.
He steps out. “Morning.”
I smooth a strand of hair behind my ear. “Morning.”
He falls into step beside me as I cross the garage. My grip on my bag tightens, every sense sharpened.
I should’ve taken the elevator to the lobby. Should’ve called Enzo before I even touched the door.
“Where you headed?” he asks, tone easy.
I don’t miss the flicker in his eyes.
“To Vasilisa,” I lie smoothly. “Enzo’s taking me. Girls’ breakfast. ”
“Yeah?” His voice shifts. “Didn’t know you two were close like that.”
I offer a shrug. “Getting there.”
I have to get out of the garage. I keep walking, my fingers slipping in to my purse.
Shit.
This is not the one with my gun.
“Enzo’s meeting you down here?”
“Mhm.”
“You already call him?”
I stop. Just a beat.
Not long.
But enough to register the weight in his question.
I smile, casual. “Yup.”
My fingers wrap around my phone. I tap the emergency shortcut to call Angelo.
It starts to ring.
I don’t take my eyes off Gio.
But he’s faster—his hand dips into my purse, yanks my phone out, and slams it to the ground. His boot crushes it before I can stop him.
“Gio—” I start.
But I never finish.
He strikes.
I duck, just barely dodging the blow to my face. My heart spikes. Adrenaline hits hard and fast.
I move.
Luciano trained me for this . Years of drills. Spars. Being knocked to the floor and told to get up again.
Always fight .
Never freeze.
I twist, elbowing him in the ribs. He grunts, surprised.
I swing. Fist to his face. Connects.
He stumbles .
But recovers quick.
“Stupid girl,” he growls, lunging.
I kick out, hard, landing a hit to his shin. He snarls and grabs my arm, trying to throw me—but I pivot, drive my knee up.
He lets go.
I’m free.
Almost.
I go for the elevator.
His hand slips under his jacket—and I see it.
Too late.
Taser.
He grabs my arm, tight, pulling me back.
“No—”
Pain explodes in my side.
My scream rips through the garage, but it dies fast.
My body locks. Convulses. Drops.
I hit the concrete hard, bones screaming in protest.
My vision shakes.
“Should’ve stayed in bed,” Gio mutters.
I try to crawl.
Get up Adriana.
Get up!
Crack.
The butt of the taser slams into the side of my head.
And everything
goes
black.