Page 34 of Shattered King

Fiorella

F airy lights twinkle overhead, and a slight breeze blows the leaves of an old oak tree in the back corner of the yard.

For a Philly row home, it’s got a surprisingly decent patch of land in the back: a little concrete slab, some decent furniture, and a garden that’s clearly well maintained.

Even though I’ve never seen Luca back here before.

Elisa stretches her legs and takes a long drink of wine. I’m jealous and wish I could have some too. “You’re looking at my glass like you’re about to stab me for it,” she says, grinning, her eyebrows raised.

“You don’t realize how good it is to have a little wine until you can’t have it anymore.”

“Isn’t that the beauty of life? A little bitter makes the sweet that much better?”

“I’d rather just have all sweet.”

“Liar.” Her grin gets bigger. “Doubt your husband’s got any sweet in him.”

“If that’s a reference to my sex life, please stop. You’re gross.”

“Just saying.” She swirls her glass and sighs. “It’s a nice place, though. I really appreciate you letting me come to stay with you guys.”

“The house isn’t safe anymore.” I reach out and touch her hand. “You know you’ll always have a place with me, right?”

“I know that.” Her smile softens, and she puts her glass down. “I just wish I didn’t need it.”

“Elisa—”

“You realize I’m twenty-three, right?”

“Wow, since when were you two years younger than me?”

She ignores my sparkling wit. “I didn’t go to college. I’ve never had a job. My only skills are buying cute outfits online and finding gems in thrift stores. I’m also really good at Overwatch .”

“What’s that?”

“First-person shooter video game.” She sighs and pulls her knees up to her chest. “It’s really sad, isn’t it? Just another rich girl with zero skills and even less of a future.”

I hate seeing her like this. It breaks my heart.

Elisa’s always been the optimistic one, even back at our lowest when we were locked in that room together.

She was sure we’d get out again while I was mentally praying I died first so I didn’t have to watch her waste away. Selfish and terrible, but true.

Sometimes she’s like this. And it really kills me because she’s incredible.

Elisa cares about people in a way I never will.

She gives a crap about the family, not just because she has to, but because they’re her people.

They’re her tribe. She wants everyone to be happy, sometimes at her own expense.

I’ve benefited from her generosity a thousand times over the years, even while I’ve viciously protected her from the worst of the world as much as I could.

Now it feels like everything’s changing. She doesn’t have Dad’s house to hide inside of. She’s got to go out now, whether she likes it or not, and find herself. It’s terrifying, but if anyone can do it, she can.

“I was like that too, you know,” I say very softly, watching her reaction.

She shakes her head. “You had the cars.”

“I was obsessed with the cars, you mean.”

“What’s the difference? At least you could’ve gotten a job as a mechanic or something. We both know you’re really good at it.”

“Maybe, but that was never going to happen, not in a million years. And it was never about the cars.”

Her eyebrows raise as she picks her head up. “It wasn’t? Seriously? You’re finally admitting it out loud?”

I glare at her. “Don’t be a dick. I’m baring my soul to you.”

“Please, Fio. Anyone with half a brain figured it out a while ago. You’re terrified of being trapped, so you got really into cars, which are great at taking you places.” She holds out a palm. “That’ll be six hundred dollars. I’ll send the bill in the mail.”

“Thanks, doc, but I’m trying to make a point.” I reach out and take her hand before she can pull it back. “I was obsessed, but life changed. I’m married to Luca now and we have this baby coming, and you know what? It’s not that bad.”

She squeezes my fingers. “You got lucky.”

“I don’t know if I’d call this lucky ?—”

“No, Fio, I’m serious. You found someone you care about.”

I open my mouth to tell her I don’t care about Luca , but that’s total bullshit and I need to stop pretending. “You’re right. I did.”

“That’s amazing. Seriously, it’s the best thing in the world, isn’t it?” Elisa’s smiling, but it’s not a happy smile. “I just don’t want to be a burden. I wish I had something too, you know?”

“You don’t need a man to fulfill you.”

“Obviously, but it’d be nice to have a partner while I tried to figure it out.”

“You will. Figure it out, I mean. You’re smart, creative, caring. You’re the best sister I could’ve ever asked for.”

“I love you, you know that?”

“You too.”

She looks at me for a beat, then her smile turns bigger and more genuine. That’s the Elisa I know and love, and it warms my chest a little bit. “You really love him, huh?”

“Don’t start.”

“Look at you. Badass Fiorella falling for her husband.”

I pull my hand away. “I regret saying anything.”

“You’re head over heels for the father of your baby. First guy that bangs you and knocks you up, and now you’re all lovey-dovey.”

“For now. I’ll get sick of him eventually.”

“I don’t think so. You’re a nester.”

“Sorry?”

“You make a nest and you stay in it.” She nods, looking very smug and satisfied. “Maybe there’s something in this whole psychologist thing I should look into because I’m killing it right now.”

I open my mouth to tell her off, but there’s a commotion from inside the house.

We both look back at the sliding door and can just barely make out movement behind the blinds.

I give her a look and get up to check it out, curious about what’s going on.

There are voices, but they don’t sound upset or scared.

When I step back inside, I stare at a room full of men. I open my mouth to panic but spot Luca standing in the kitchen with several of his guards. “What’s going on?” I ask, blinking in surprise.

Luca comes over, hands held out in a calming gesture. “It’s okay. They’re all with me.”

“I didn’t realize we were having a party.”

A gruff man with graying hair laughs sharply. “Not sure this counts as a party, but sure, close enough.” He pulls back the slide of a pistol and shoves it into a holster attached to a bulletproof vest.

“We should talk.” Luca leads me away as the men behind him start laughing together and talking in low voices. He takes me back outside and slides the door shut behind us. Elisa watches on curiously.

“What’s going on in there?”

“I made some calls. Those guys are my backup.”

I frown slightly. “Backup?”

“The Marino Famiglia is officially getting involved in your civil war.” He glances at Elisa and lowers his voice. “At least, I have to speak with Adriano to confirm everything. The men inside are Marino soldiers. You’re safe with them.”

I glance back toward the sliding door. “How many guys are we talking here?”

“Twenty or so, depending on what Adriano says. They’re good people. And don’t worry, they’re not staying long. After we assign crews, they won’t be near the house, except for when they’re on guard duty.”

“I guess security’s getting tighter.”

“For a little while at least.” He touches my hip and pulls me in closer. “I promise you’ll be alright.”

“What about my car?”

“You can still work on it. That won’t change.”

Relief floods me. I know that means his men will have to work harder to protect me when I’m exposed in that makeshift garage tent, but I don’t know what I’d do with myself otherwise.

“What happens now?” Elisa asks him, sounding afraid. “There’s going to be fighting, right?”

“Corrado’s going to start gathering strength and putting together support.” Luca moves away from me slightly and addresses both of us. “Our goal is simple: find him and kill him.”

“While I convince the Serrano Capos to support Raf.”

“Assuming he’s okay,” Elisa adds quietly. “I really hope he is.”

“He will be,” I tell her.

“This won’t be simple, and I won’t put either of you in danger.” Luca gives me a hard look, like he’s anticipating an argument. “But your guidance will be helpful.”

“He means he needs us to make it look like he’s not just some outsider taking control of the family.”

Elisa drinks her wine. “Got it. Politics. Maybe that’s what I’ll be good at?” She considers for a second, then shakes her head. “Nah, not my thing.”

“Either way, we’re entering a dangerous phase now. I need you both to be careful.”

“Always am.” Elisa sounds chipper as she gets up with a sigh. “Well, I’m going to grab a refill and peruse the offerings inside.”

“Oh, God, please don’t do anything stupid,” I say with a groan.

“I’m with my wife on this one. Those men are off-limits to you.”

Elisa swats at Luca. “You can boss her around, but I’m not your wife. Are any of your soldiers single?”

“No,” Luca says with a glare. “They’re all gay or married.”

“I can work with that.” She slides the door open and disappears inside.

“She’s not really going to hit on a room full of murderers, is she?” Luca sounds genuinely worried, and it makes me like him even more.

“Not at all, don’t worry. She’s just going through a tough time. A little introspection.”

He nods and bends down to kiss me. I lean into him, breathing in his smell and letting his taste glide down my tongue. Instantly, my jaw relaxes and my shoulders feel less tense.

“I need to get over to Adriano’s. Things have been quiet for the last few days, but it won’t last.”

“Will you be late?”

“I’ll be home before you’re asleep.”

“Good.” I get on my toes and kiss him again. “You want to hear something weird?”

“Always.”

“Now that I’m pregnant, I’m having these… urges.” My cheeks turn pink, and I suddenly regret saying anything.

He looks uncertain. “Like food cravings?”

“Like that, but not for food. I’ve been, you know, really, uh?—”

Understanding dawns on him, and he licks his lips. He bends down to kiss me again. “If you have needs, I’m happy to fulfill them.”

“I had a feeling you’d say that.”

“Later tonight then.” One more kiss before he lets me go. “First, I need to convince my boss that getting involved in a war is a good idea.”

“Sounds easy.”