Hidden in the Ashes (Book 1 of The Rossi Legacy series)

Chapter 2

POV: Iris Laurent

I couldn't sleep. My thoughts were spinning in circles, running through all the ways I could keep myself safe. Every little sound had me on edge; a creak in the floor, another apartment door opening, a car outside. My pulse quickened as paranoia set in, imagining Matteo finding me. I flipped through my notebook for the umpteenth time, trying to figure out who I could turn to, but no one seemed trustworthy enough to feed me the information I needed.

I had no insight into the Rossi family's current state or Matteo's next move, which left me dangerously blind. A plan was forming, but without knowing what I was walking into, it felt like I was grasping at straws. Maybe Lena would know something when she came by in the morning. I was desperate for any lead at this point.

Just as I closed my eyes, hoping to quiet my mind, I heard a soft creak from the apartment. My body tensed. Adonis's door clicked shut, followed by the faint padding of his footsteps and a low murmur. My heart raced. Was he up to something again? I had to be careful, especially after what had happened earlier.

Slipping out of bed quietly, I pressed my ear to the door, trying to catch his words.

"How big are we talking?" Adonis's voice was barely audible. "Boss, I don't think we've got enough men for this. Ten of us on security detail? We'll need at least double that for the size of party you're talking about."

I froze, dread pooling in my stomach. This was a conversation I definitely wasn't supposed to overhear. A party? And from the intensity in his voice, it was going to be a big one. This could be useful.

Adonis paused, listening. "I don't trust the new guys either, not for something this important. Two weeks is cutting it close." His frustration was evident. "Alright, I'll handle it. But—wait, there's something else. I've got a feeling that red-headed Rossi scum will show up solo this time. No one to drag his ass out of trouble."

Matteo. My stomach knotted at the mention of him.

Another pause. "Because she's with me. Said she was looking for a sublet." He let out a chuckle that made my skin crawl. "Who knows? Maybe she finally wised up and left his sorry ass for good."

I clenched my fists, biting back the urge to march out and confront him. No. I had to be smart.

Adonis kept talking, but I'd heard enough. There was going to be a Revenant party in two weeks—a big one. And there's no way Matteo won't be there. My mind whirred with possibilities. This could be the distraction I needed.

I slipped back into bed, the wheels in my head turning again, but this time, it wasn't panic. It was strategy. I reached for my notebook again, quickly flipping through knowing exactly who I needed to call. This was perfect.

...

I was jolted awake by a knock at the front door, the weight of last night still pressing down on me. Sleep had evaded me, leaving my thoughts scattered and heavy. I dragged myself out of bed, the apartment unusually quiet; Adonis was nowhere to be found.

When I opened the door, I found Lena standing there, her usual smug grin in place, a box cradled in her arms. "Hey there, kid," she greeted, her smile brightening the dim hallway.

"Hey!" I exclaimed, a bit too excitedly, stepping aside to let her in. We made our way to my room, Lena carrying the box effortlessly. She plopped it down on the desk with a grunt. "I've got the other two in the car. We'll grab those once you're dressed."

As I changed into some regular clothes, I could feel her gaze on me. "I saw Adonis on my way up," she said, fanning herself with an exaggerated sigh. I shot her an icy look, but she laughed, undeterred. "What? I can't help it if the guy's hot."