Page 82 of Scream (Duchess & Devils #1)

Sabrina.

Brooklyn Heights, New York

All Hallows Eve

"Duchess!"

"In the kitchen, husband!" I yell out. Huh.

A little dumbfounded at how natural that feels to say now, I go back to wiping down the counters, making sure I get rid of all the excess flour and sugar that always seems to flutter about when I bake.

Strong, delicious arms wrap around my torso as Maksim peppers kisses to the tattoo of our last name on my shoulder.

Parker does the same to the other shoulder.

Usually, he nips it, lightly dragging his teeth on it.

I should've gotten them on my neck.

My husband tightens his hold on me, then presses his expansive, muscular chest to my back. "What are you baking today?"

"White chocolate raspberry muffins." I reply, finishing with the counter, and removing my apron.

He groans, tilting his forehead to the back of my head. "I've gained ten pounds since we've been married." He pauses. "When will they be ready?"

I turn in his arms and place my hands on his chest, feeling the soft fabric of his shirt beneath my fingers. I tilt my head back to look up at him, my breath shorting at the softness in his dark chocolate eyes. "Ten minutes."

"Good." He presses a kiss to my lips, then my forehead, before taking a step away from me. "Gives me enough time to give you your gift."

My brows hike up, and I eye him curiously. "My birthday was two days ago, and you already gave me my gift." I tap my ears, pointing to the little crown earrings he gave me.

He shakes his head. "This is something else. Go on.” He coaxes. “Close your eyes and hold out your hands. You’re gonna love this one, I promise, cara mia."

I squint cautiously at him again, but the smile on his face tells me he's excited about this.

So I do as I'm told – hold out my hands and shut my eyes.

The square he places in my hands has weight to it and it's a little lighter than I was expecting but I'm not exactly expecting, anything.

I open my eyes to see a sleek, black box with a pastel pink bow around it.

"Go on. Open it." He wiggles his brows and bites his lower lip.

I place it on the counter and untie the bow, pulling off the top to reveal...

A gun!

"Oh my god!" I shriek, bouncing on my toes. I pluck out the M&P9 Shield 9MM, make sure the safety is on, and cradle it to my chest in a hug. "Did Bianchi say I passed? I can be an enforcer?"

"No," Maksim laughs. “No wife of mine will ever be an enforcer, but yes. You are up to Rossi’s standards in the gun department."

"Your only wife ever .” I remind him. “This is the best gift I've ever gotten.

" It really is. I just wish it were pink, and maybe sparkly, but I can DIY it later. I’m sure I can find a few videos on YouTube.

I hear chuckling from my right and see Parker coming in with sweat dripping.

He always works out a little harder on the days I bake.

“Did you give her the gun?” Maksim steps out of the way so I can show Parker the 9mm.

He nods, eyes crinkling at the sides while he beams at me.

Once he reaches me, he plants a kiss on my forehead.

I love when he smells all manly. “You look hot. Like a little femme fatale.” I strike a pose while pointing it, and his hands go up, mix-matched eyes glittering my way.

“I should not be getting a boner right now, should I?”

Maksim laughs then shrugs. “I literally fucked her while she was holding a gun to my head. What do I know?” He takes the gun away from me and puts it back into the box just as the timer on the oven goes off.

He turns off the oven, puts on the neon pink oven mitts, slowly opens it and takes out the tray for me. “These smell fucking amazing.”

I practically purr, my blush rising up to my cheeks. I very much like praise. The degradation is also a favorite of mine but only in the bedroom. Or the sofa. Or the gym. Or the- anyway.

We've pretty much moved into the mansion, with us only staying at the penthouse if absolutely necessary. “Have you heard from Raven? She still sick?” Parker asks, grabbing one of the muffins, still too hot to eat. He shakes his hand and tries again.

“Yeah, she's not able to make it to the party tonight, but they all made a sizeable donation.” It's Halloween, and Angie is hosting another charity party at her new art gallery in Manhattan.

While the money is going towards children, it's adults only.

We've had our costumes picked out for weeks. She was going to be an angel (of death), and I have a sweet bunny costume. Well. I'm supposed to be Elle Woods from Legally Blonde, but I doubt anyone will understand the reference. “I made her soup earlier and dropped it off. Poor thing was ghastly. All sweaty and pale. They wouldn’t even let me drink the tea Maverick had at the ready. You’d think the man was part English the way he hogged it.”

A look passes between Maksim and Parker, but I pay it no mind.

“Anyway!” I declare “Jonas had the flu last week, so I'm not surprised she's sick with how much they tango in the nude.

I mean, I hate they're not going, but I don't think I can afford any distractions at the moment with midterms coming. Oh, God.” I fake a gag.

“I can't believe I'm saying that word again.”

Parker pats my back while taking a bite into the muffin he's been blowing on during my monologue. I grin at him but turn to Maksim. “Are we still meeting you there?”

He nods, grabbing a muffin for himself. “Niko is finally back from Boston, and Aleksi has to talk to me about something.

The new kid, Elio, will be guarding you since Sasha is at home with his wife.

Apparently she's thirty-six weeks along.

Doctor says it could happen any day now since they're expecting twins.”

My brows furrow, and my lips roll inward before I ask. “Do… does the mafia have paternal leave? Do they take that up with HR or…?”

Parker chokes on the muffin as Maksim deadpans. He wags his finger at me. “I married a very funny woman.”

I laugh and press on my toes to kiss him but take a bite of the treat in his hand and then kiss him. “You married a clever woman.”

“Hmmm.”

I roll my eyes. “Please, we both know you'd be bored to tears had you married anyone else.”

“You're probably right,” he kisses me, licking the crumb from the corner of my lips. “I was right. My Wife's muffin is delicious.”

I cackle horribly, and it ends in a godawful snort , but Maksim's eyes are still on me. “I would marry you, each time, over and over again, if given the chance.”

Tears spring into my eyes, and I melt into him when he wraps his arms around me. “Stop it. I don't feel like crying. You know I've been wonky lately with my periods being weird. ”

Parker clears his throat. “I need to shower before tonight.” He pecks me on the cheek. “Come join me when you’re done, baby. Love you.”

Once he’s gone, Maksim pulls away. “You still haven’t said it to him?”

“I was waiting for tonight. You know we have that whole thing planned, and I thought we could both bring it up to him tonight.”

“It’s not a bad idea. Alright. I should go, too. I love you.” He grabs another pastry from the tray. “I'll see you at the party.”

“Don't forget to pick up your costume!” I call out only for him to mutter something back to me. It's not my fault he's a giant and had to get his specially altered. Where I'm going as a bunny, both of my men are going as wolves. I should've gone as Red Riding Hood so they could eat me.

I giggle to myself as I leave the kitchen and start up the stairs to join Parker in the shower. Either way, I know I'll be eaten and stuffed like a turkey after midnight.

God, I love the holidays.

Anticipation is rolling in my tummy as I walk down the black stairs of the second floor of the gallery.

It's very posh, modern, sleek, shiny – all the things you imagine when you think of an art gallery.

The ceiling is tall and mighty. Both floors are large, open spaces with black, marble floors.

The music is blaring (to me). People are talking loudly, and drinking.

But that’s not what’s got me feeling like this.

I can't find Maksim anywhere. I spot Niko in his usual Armani and a black Zorro mask, his blue eyes like clear skies peeking through and push through the things of people talking, as he leans against the wall.

I can feel Parker's looming form behind me, and if I'm honest, I'm panicking – to the point where I feel like I'm going to be sick.I push through the throngs of people talking, gathered around the exhibits. At one point, I swear I see Verity Huntington, but I don’t care.

My anxiety is rolling, and my stomach with it.

“Have you seen my husband?” I ask, feeling silly in pink tights, a bedazzled corset with a tail, and a half-mask with bunny ears.

Niko shakes his head. “No, we drove in separate vehicles. I still had things to finish up with Kallum and Aleksi over the phone. Why?”

I bite my trembling lip. “I haven't seen him, and I can't find him, and he's not answering my calls.”

His brows shoot up and he looks at Parker, then me again. “Let me try his burner.”

I look away from him to see a man in all black, wearing one of those LED masks– with an X over the eyes.

He seems to be staring at me, too. A group of people walks past him, and he's gone.

My stomach coils tightly. “Something's wrong. We need to leave,” I gasp, trying not to hyperventilate as I look up to Niko, nodding in agreement.

“Yeah. The location of his phone is at an abandoned warehouse just outside of Greenwich. Elio isn't answering, either – but he's at the same location. C'mon. We'll stop there. I'm sure they just got caught up with something.”

But he would have texted me. My husband always texts me. He always kisses me good morning and kisses me goodnight. I can’t even sleep unless he does. Even when we’re upset with each other, which is hardly ever since we’ve moved into the mansion.

“Yes, please. Take me to my husband. I need to see him.” I try to swallow down the panic, but I don't think I do a very good job – because Niko and Parker are quick to put me between them and soon, we’re leaving the gallery.

I know the Albertini’s will understand when I'm not there at midnight for her big speech. I grab Parker’s hand, hoping it will soothe me, and when he squeezes mine, it does settle me a bit. But not enough.

Parker helps me buckle in – because Niko is a terrible driver.

Or maybe he’s the best at swerving and not hitting anyone.

My knees bounce in trepidation, knowing I'll only be able to fully settle once I have eyes on my husband. The streets are crowded with partiers, celebrating All Hallow’s Eve, and – for once – I wish Niko would.

We arrive at the abandoned warehouse, and Niko sharply inhales at the skid marks on the ground.

He comes to a sputtering stop, jumping out – phone already in hand, calling someone.

And I run to my husband’s SUV. The one that’s been flipped upside down, with bullet holes everywhere.

Gas is leaking, but still, I scream his name.

It feels like it all happens in slow-motion.

I don’t know where the flames come from – but Niko is screaming, and Parker is quick to help someone out of the front seat.

It’s not my husband.

Where is my husband?

I… He needs to kiss me goodnight. I can’t sleep unless….

“Niko?” I ask softly, voice barely above a whisper.

Elio weakly clings onto Parker as he drags him out .

“They got him. Took.. him…” he groans before passing out.

No. no. no. no. no. no. no.

I almost laugh. “That doesn’t make sense. My husband grumbled he was picking up his suit. He was going to meet me at the party. He was a wolf. I’m his bunny. See?”

“Get her home, Savage. I’ll deal with this.

Get her home. Aleksi is on his way with help before the cops show up.

I’ll be by as soon as we get Elio help. It won’t take long.

Aleksi already sent a message out to our doctor.

He’s in Brooklyn. This won’t take long.”He garbles.

Or maybe he’s talking normally, but it’s all… reverberating in my mind.

No. I-I-I-I need to find my husband.

I can’t breathe.

We’re in the car.

I’m suffocating in the car.

Where is my husband?

He’s home. He has to be home. I…

He has to kiss me goodnight.

The mansion.

Yes. Home. He’ll be here.

I kick off my shoes and run around, calling out his name – as if he’s just there, waiting for me. Nothing but a Halloween prank.

I run up the stairs, slipping once, but I find my stride.

There’s a slamming of a door.

I hear a struggle of some sort.

“Maksim!”

I dart back down the steps.

Just in time to hear the first firework go off.

Then another.

And a muffled shout.

Except

It’s

Not

A

Firework….

“Parker!”

He gulps for air – a wet, gasping wobbly breath – and I scream, racing to get to him. I drop to my knees and clutch him to me. His eyes are open, and I kiss him.

“You’re okay.” I lie.

“Sabrina-” He points, and I grab his gun – blinded in my rage – shooting to kill. The form in the LED X eyes mask falls limp on the floor, and I go back to the love of my life. I grab a dish towel, tear open his costume, and pack it into his wound as quickly as I can.

“You can’t leave me. You can’t. I love you. You aren’t allowed to leave me, remember?”

“Forever…” he gasps.

I nod, kissing his lips. Nothing but a string of saliva connects us – but he’s more than a string of saliva. We’re more than bodyguard and employer. “Exactly. I love you. Forever. You have to stay. You have to stay. I love you. I love you.”

“For…ever…”

Eternal.

“PARKER!” I scream his name like a banshee in the night.

Then I scream again.

But he’s not blinking.

I get on my knees and get to work - not allowing the light behind his eyes to leave him. To leave me.

He’s not allowed.

The door slams open again – and I grab the gun, raising it, to see Niko with his hands up. Zorro mask gone. His pale eyes widen – Aleksi behind him. He runs to me first, taking over.

“Sabrina, go get help. We have this. We’ll… we’ll take him.” he shushes.

“Niko, I can't!”

“Sabrina!” He screams in my face.

I don’t dare look over.

I keep my eyes on Niko.

Parker is not allowed to leave me.

“Go get Raven. We might need Maverick.”

I don’t dare look over.

“For…ever…”

I don’t look down at the crimson on my hands.

I shut my eyes to rid the whooshing in my ears, turning it all off.

I can’t breathe.

I inhale.

Anger extends from my diaphragm to every nerve ending in every limb like cracks on a broken mirror.

Nobody will survive.

I exhale – blocking out the noise.

It’s fucking showtime.