Chapter 28

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Gianna

The plane ride ended faster than I wanted, time slipping through my fingers like sand. Dimitri's gaze remained fixed on the city lights below. His lack of nervous tics or restless energy wasn't the practiced calm of a seasoned traveler, but rather the eerie tranquility of predator anticipating the hunt. The impending meeting with my brother seemed to intrigue rather than unnerve him, as if he found the whole power play deliciously entertaining.

I watched him from the corner of my eye as he lounged in his seat, sipping bourbon like it was just another day. How could he be so calm when my nerves were frayed to breaking point? Almost four hundred years of existence, and I still felt like a fledgling facing my maker.

Angelo didn't like games. He didn't have a sense of humor and if Dimitri made him angry, he'd tear him to pieces.

As the plane began its descent, my stomach dropped with it. I gripped Dimitri's hand as we landed on the tarmac, my fingers probably leaving bruises that would heal in seconds. The plane's engines roared in my ears, but it was softer than the sound of blood pumping between my temples.

New Orleans sprawled beneath us, a vibrant, pulsing entity that held both promise and peril. Somewhere in that maze of streets and secrets, Angelo waited. My brother. My keeper. My potential executioner.

I stole another glance at Dimitri, his profile sharp against the window. Did he truly understand what we were walking into? As the plane taxied to a stop, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were moths flying straight into Angelo's flame.

Dimitri gave me one of his famous smirks. "Ready to meet the welcoming committee?"

I squeezed his hand. "Be careful, Dimitri. Angelo's dangerous."

He kissed my wrist. "So am I."

Petar descended the stairs first, then he motioned for us to follow, his gesture sharp and impatient.

A sleek black limousine waited on the tarmac, oozing menace. The driver emerged, his movements precise and robotic. Then, like something out of a B-grade mafia movie, Angelo and Enzo unfolded themselves from the car.

My racing heart leaped into my throat. They were both wrapped in black suits, looking like they'd just stepped out of a vampire undertaker's catalog. Their long hair was pulled back into tight ponytails, as if they were afraid they'd get blood on it.

They had that rip-out-the-enemy's-throat stare, and I knew exactly who their enemy was tonight. My stomach clenched tighter than a vise as I imagined what they might do to Dimitri. Would they tear him apart on the spot, or drag him away for a more elaborate punishment? The thought of Dimitri's cocky grin being wiped off his face by my brother's cruelty made me want to turn this plane around and flee.

Shitshitshitshit

I leaned closer to Dimitri, my voice a hiss. "Enzo's here."

Dimitri's eyes narrowed, a smirk playing on his lips. "And that's Angelo's errand boy. What, did they have a two-for-one deal on brooding henchmen?"

I stepped in front of him, my hands splayed on his chest. "Dimitri, this isn't funny. He's just as dangerous as my brother, if not more so. He's Angelo's enforcer."

"Two against one," Dimitri purred, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Your brother doesn't play fair. I'm shocked. Truly."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "No, he doesn't. He plays to win."

"So do I." Dimitri's hand found the small of my back, his touch both possessive and reassuring. "Let's go. We don't want to keep the Addams family waiting. I hear Thing gets impatient."

As we started walking, each step felt like moving through molasses. The air was thick with tension and the promise of violence. Angelo and Enzo stood there, still as statues, their eyes boring into us.

Dimitri, on the other hand, sauntered forward like he was walking into his favorite bar. His swagger was infuriating and oddly comforting at the same time.

I just hoped his confidence wasn't misplaced. Because if it was, this tarmac might just become our final resting place.

The tension mounted as we approached, the air thick with the promise of violence. Angelo's cheek twitched, a telltale sign I'd seen too many times before. That kill look blazed in his eyes, the same glint he got when he ripped his enemies apart. My entire body went cold, colder than even vampire flesh should be.

I stopped abruptly, my hand shooting out to grab Dimitri's arm. "Run," I hissed, my voice barely above a whisper.

But I was too late.

Angelo launched himself forward faster than our speeding jet had flown. The world blurred around him as he moved, a dark streak of fury. His fist connected with Dimitri's mouth with a sickening crunch, sending him flying backward. Blood burst into the air, a crimson mist spraying across the tarmac like a macabre Jackson Pollock painting.

"Angelo, no!" I screamed, my voice tearing from my throat. I drew on my vampire speed, the world slowing around me as I stretched out my arms to snag my brother.

Suddenly, strong arms gripped me from behind. Enzo pinned me against his chest, his grip like iron bands. I fought like a wild cat, ramming my heels into his shins and throwing my head back to connect with his face. But he only tightened his hold, a low growl rumbling through his chest.

Dimitri rolled out of the way as Angelo's foot whistled through the air, barely missing him. He jumped up with surprising agility, blood dribbling down his chin like a gruesome waterfall. My breath caught in my throat. No one had dared to bite my brother before. A mix of shock and reluctant admiration surged through me—Dimitri really was as dangerous as he claimed. His fist shot out, connecting with Angelo's jaw with a crack that echoed across the tarmac. My brother staggered, surprise flickering across his face.

"Petar!" I yelled, desperation clawing at my insides. "Stop him!"

Petar stood off to the side, arms folded, watching the chaos unfold with detached interest. "I'm too busy handling the luggage," he drawled, sarcasm dripping from every word.

"Fucking asshole!" I shrieked, rage boiling inside me. If Dimitri died, I swore I'd rip out Petar's heart—literally.

Angelo recovered quickly, slamming his fists into Dimitri's gut with lightning speed. Dimitri doubled over, the air whooshing out of him. But he wasn't done. He rolled to the side, grunting with effort, and swiped his leg against the back of Angelo's knees. My brother went down with an angry snarl, hitting the tarmac hard enough to crack the asphalt.

Dimitri bared his teeth, fangs fully extended, and landed on top of my brother. His fists flew in a blur, punching and clawing. He even sank his teeth into Angelo's shoulder, tearing away a chunk of flesh.

"He fights well," Enzo murmured behind me, his breath cool against my ear. Admiration rolled over his words as if he was assessing Dimitri's moves in a boxing match. "Not many born vampires could go this long with Angelo."

Just as I thought Dimitri might gain the upper hand, Angelo surged upward. His hand shot out, fingers wrapping around Dimitri's throat. He lifted him off the ground as if he weighed nothing, Dimitri's feet dangling in the air.

"You bastard," Angelo snarled, his face contorted with rage. Spittle flew from his mouth as he yelled, "How dare you mate with my sister? How could you protect her?"

Dimitri, despite being choked, managed to quirk an eyebrow. "Protect her?" he croaked out, his voice strained but still dripping with sarcasm. "From what I've seen, she needs protection from you."

Angelo's grip tightened, his knuckles turning white. I could hear the bones in Dimitri's neck creaking under the pressure. Terror clawed at my insides as I realized this wasn't just a fight—it was a battle to the death.

And Dimitri was losing.

I had to do something, anything to protect the man I loved, my mate. My heart felt like it was trying to claw its way out of my chest.

"Angelo," I shouted, my voice raw with desperation, "if you kill him, I'll never forgive you."

My brother turned his head, one eye swollen shut and blood trickling from his nose. No vampire had gotten the jump on Angelo for years. The sight was both shocking and oddly satisfying .

"He can't protect you," Angelo snarled, tightening his grip on Dimitri's throat.

"Yes, I can," Dimitri choked out, more blood dripping down his nose and mouth. His trademark smirk was still there, albeit bloodied. "I'm multi-talented. Bodyguard, lover, and now, apparently, punching bag."

With a sudden burst of strength, Dimitri brought his arm down on Angelo's, breaking his grip. He staggered away, panting heavily, his legs wobbling like a newborn fawn's.

I glared at my brother, anger burning in my veins. "I'll turn myself over to the wolves." I gritted my teeth so hard I thought they might shatter. "You can't kill my mate."

Angelo shoved Dimitri, who fell on his ass with a grunt. "Gianna, how could you choose him? You know what he is? He's a womanizer, a traitor."

"I didn't choose him, Angelo. The fates did and you know it." I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms. "What if you had a mate and someone tried to kill her?"

"The fates have forgone me ever finding a mate. So your question is obsolete." Angelo panted hard, his chest heaving. "He can't protect you from the wolves. He's a born vampire. A fucking weakling."

"Yeah, I can," Dimitri rasped, wiping blood off his face with his arm, smearing red on his sleeve. "I'm like a cockroach. Impossible to kill and always showing up where I'm not wanted."

"He went longer than anyone else I've seen," Enzo said, loosening his grip on me.

It was the break I was looking for. I flung his arms off me and raced over to Dimitri, wrapping my arms around him. His body was tense, muscles coiled like springs ready to snap.

I glared up at my brother. "Leave him, Angelo. He's mine. I want him to be my bodyguard."

"Him?" Angelo pointed at Petar. "I've made my choice."

"His father?" I rolled my eyes so hard I thought they might pop out. "He couldn't even protect me from Dimitri. How do you think he would fare against the wolves?"

Angelo glanced at Petar then back at Enzo, his jaw clenching and unclenching.

Enzo shrugged. "Have you ever had a born vampire go these many rounds with you? Usually they're done with one punch."

Angelo focused on Enzo. "You're still not thinking that he would be good as one of your enforcers, do you?"

I blinked, not believing my ears. Hope fluttered in my chest, fragile as a butterfly's wing.

"I've told you of his reputation," Enzo said as he headed over toward us. He knelt in front of Dimitri and grabbed his hair, yanking his head back. "This is your one and only chance, Dimitri."

Dimitri chuckled, wincing as the movement pulled at his split lip. "What, you make me an offer like that? How can I refuse? Do I get dental with that?"

"Good boy." Enzo slapped his cheek then glanced up at Angelo. "What about it, boss?"

Angelo remained silent. I held my breath, praying that he wouldn't kill Dimitri. Even with his smirk, I knew he was spent. He wouldn't last much longer. Tears streamed down my face, hot and bitter. "Please, Angelo."

Angelo took a deep breath and headed over to us. He grabbed Dimitri by the shirt and lifted him off the ground again.

I slapped his arm, panic rising in my throat. "No. NO. NO. I swear I'll kill myself if you hurt him."

Angelo ignored me and stared into Dimitri's eyes that were nearly swollen shut. "If the wolves hurt her, you die. Until you can prove yourself to me, you'll be my chauffeur. Starting now."

The audacity. "What?" I sputtered, rage and disbelief warring inside me.

"Stop while you're ahead," Enzo cautioned me, his hand on my shoulder. "At least he's not going to kill him."

Angelo dropped Dimitri unceremoniously and headed over to the limousine. "I'm waiting."

Dimitri staggered to his feet, swaying like a drunk. "Well, isn't this a plot twist," he muttered. "From punching bag to chauffeur. Moving up in the world already."

I wrapped his arm around my neck and helped him to the limousine, his weight heavy against me.

Right now, I hated my brother, but at least he didn't kill Dimitri. But his chauffeur? Seriously? As we limped toward the car, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of our troubles.