Page 84 of Madness & Mercy

We head up the stairs, leaving Braga’s guy bleeding in the basement. I don’t look back. Not at him. Not at the blood on the floor. Not at the mess I almost made worse.

Enzo and Luca are waiting outside like they’ve been there the whole time.Great.Hopefully they didn’t hear any of that pathetic shit downstairs. The begging. The fake confession. The part where I let Nico touch my fucking face like Iwantedhim to.

“Take him upstairs,” Nico says to Enzo, already walking off. “Make sure he rests. And don’t let him leave my room.”

Awesome.I’m back on house arrest. Maybe he’ll let me pick out curtains next.

I glance toward him, trying to catch his eye. “That’s not necessary,” I say. “I’m fine. Let me help you find Braga. I’ve got intel.”

Nico barely slows. His eyes cut to mine, cold and sharp. “Out of the question.”

“I’m not dying,” I argue. “You’re being dramatic.”

“You were shot yesterday,” he snaps, turning enough for me to see the flicker of fire behind his eyes. “You’re pale. You’re slow. You look like shit.”

“Gee thanks, asshole.”

He doesn’t smile. Doesn’t blink. “You’re not going back out there until I say so. Go upstairs. Now.”

I grunt, fists clenched. “This is bullshit. You don’t get to lock me up whenever you’re feeling twitchy.”

He doesn’t even flinch, just tosses the next words over his shoulder like he’s done with the conversation.

“Take him upstairs.”

Luca falls into step behind him, and just like that, he’s gone. Not a single look back.

“Hey, asshole,” I snap. “Don’t ignore me.”

The door slams shut in response.

Enzo motions toward the stairs. “Come on. Don’t make this harder than it has to be.”

I clench my teeth so hard I feel it in my skull. “You always follow orders this blindly, or just when your boss is pissed?”

No reaction. Guy doesn’t even blink.

“You just do whatever he says, huh?” I sneer. “What’s wrong? Can’t think for yourself?”

Still nothing. Jesus Christ, is he dead inside?

“You don’t evenlikehim, do you? What is it? You in it for the money, or something?”

Enzo doesn’t flinch. “I don’tneedto like him. I just need to keep you from bleeding out on his fucking floor. Let’s go.”

I shake my head and flash him the fakest grin I can manage. “If you touch me, he’ll lose his shit. You know that, right?”

His voice is flat and icy. “I’m not here to hurt you, Cross. That’s above my pay grade. But whatever game you think you’re playing, it’s already over. You’re in his house. In his bed. Wearing his clothes. Bleeding because ofhisenemies. And you still think you’re the one in control?”

I exhale through my nose, biting back a curse.

Shit. This guy’s good.

Alright, new plan. Wait until his back’s turned and—nope.That won’t work either. He’s not a guard. He’s one ofNico’smen. One of the loyal ones. He’s untouchable.

I sigh and look away. “Whatever,” I mutter. “Let’s just go.”

But I swear to God, thesecondI get out of that room?