Running on the rush of adrenaline and my Rogue Power, I managed to drag my brother out of House Billion, having called for an extraction team from my pack.
There was no hiding just how wrong the mission had gone from Fiorella.
“You’re home now,” I whisper. I don’t know if Mars can hear me. How reassuring ishomewhen Fiorella is here? Adonis Hall isn’tmyhome. I’ve never had one of those, only a prison. “The Chief Alpha is away taking care of business. It’s safe to open your eyes. Please, bro. Open your fucking eyes. I need to know that you’re safe.”
I stare at Mars.
Nothing.
I brush my hand over my eyes.
I don’t cry.
Never.
Not since that day…
I sigh, glancing around Mars’ messy room. Nico has never been able to convince Mars to keep it tidy.
The thickly carpeted floors are covered with dirty laundry, empty coffee mugs (from Mars’ late nights secretly writing), and piles of romance books, along with special editions with pretty sprayed edges.
A large gilt painting of the naked Adonis, the most beautiful mortal in the world who is sprawled dying in a bed of roses, hangs above the bed.
The steel gray walls are pinned with posters of Jex, the movie star, Immortal, the rock star Idol, and the Romeo Ballet Company.
Neither my brother nor I fit the mold of our Adonis family. Yet we have schemed for years about taking over without Fiorella realizing that she had two snakes in her mafia nest.
Mars is sweet but he’s also smart. And I have the deadliest claws and fangs in the pack. Unfortunately, Fiorella knows that. It’s why she won’t allow me to live as soon as she returns.
My lip trembles.
I should be running.
Except, I can’t leave my brother to face Fiorella alone. I was responsible for him in Las Vegas.
This was my fuckup.
I rest my hand on Mars’ forehead, before gently dropping a kiss there in case it’s the last time that I can.
I take a deep breath of his scent of chocolate milkshake.
How fucking dare Rosa insult his scent?Reject him?
“Ro?” Mars’ eyelashes flutter open. “What…? Shit, we’re home. How did you manage that? The courting failed. Why are you here? You need to leave. Get out. Mom will?—"
“I’m not going anywhere.” Instantly, I pull back and grasp his hand. “Lie still. Stop trying to get up. The doctor has only just put in those stitches, and you know how mad he’ll be if you make him redo them. I said, lie still. Concentrate on healing.”
“What happened?” Finally, Mars rests back on his pillows, and I plump them for him.
“I got you out of there. I am your awesome bodyguard.”
“I have faith in you, but there were a dozen enforcers around us, not to mention Damio and that psycho Omega.”
I buy myself time by grabbing a shard of ice and holding it to Mars’ lips.
Mars sucks on it.
“My Rogue Powers burst out,” I say, as casually as I can.