7.1

“Lev and Ivan are dead,” Dimitri's words caused my eyes to widen.

“Lev and Ivan?” Skylar’s bodyguards. “What the fuck happened to them?” I asked.

“Exactly what I'm trying to find out. The penthouse was blown to pieces. Fuck, it was fucking bad. Elena almost died of a heart attack thinking Skylar was in there,”

Another wave of shock rammed through me at this new information. “How the fuck was the penthouse attacked?” It wasn't possible. Skylar's location had been thoroughly under wraps, and aside from Lev and Ivan, there were other security teams placed around, so how the fuck did the penthouse got blown up.

“Like I said, I'm trying to find out who the fuck thought it wise to attack me?”

“Do you think they were after you or Skylar?”

“I'm not sure yet,” He sighed. “I'm not sure if I want to know why Skylar is even at La Haven so late at night, but I'm glad she was before the attack,”

I wasn't surprised how he found out. I'd been the one who had inserted a mini tracking device into the bracelets Skylar, Zoey, and Elena wore. As long as Skylar and Zoey didn't take theirs off, we could always find them. Dimitri had gone the extra mile with Elena a year ago after the Slovakia incident and had a tracker inserted into her wrist covered with a flowery tattoo. Maybe once all this settled, Skylar and Zoey would get theirs.

“I'll take care of her,”

“Savio,” Dimitri's deep voice shook in warning. “Whatever you think you're doing, just remember that Skylar is Elena's sister. Don't forget that,”

My brows lifted, almost offended at what he was implying. “And what the fuck do you think I'm doing with her?”

“I don't want to know. Just get the girl out of La Haven. Don't take her over to my place, Elena isn't there. Zoey had a relapse when she overheard the news of the penthouse, thinking Skylar was in there, so they were in the hospital. Take her to your place while I figure out the fuck happened,”

Fuck. How the hell was I supposed to do that dressed as J?

“Let me know whatever you find out,” Ending the call, I quickly sent Skylar my home address. Maybe I could figure out a way to get her to my place without getting my cover blown. 

I left Ronan at the security room and headed back to the room I'd left Skylar, only to find it empty.

Ronan found her on camera. She was in the lobby, where some personal belongings were usually handed over to security before the members were granted entry.

“Skylar,”

She turned to me as I approached her in the lobby. “Sorry, I left without saying a word. I hadn't realized it was so late,”

It was six after twelve past midnight. Normally, Skylar appointment was expected to be over three hours ago.

“Thanks again for tonight, I really appreciate it. Until next time. I'll get going now; I have a driver waiting for me outside,” She retrieved her belongings, and as we reached outside, there was neither a car nor Lev and Ivan waiting outside.

She took out her phone and scrolled through it before reading through a text. Her right brow raised. “It seems they won't be coming today,” She whispered more to herself.

“I'll drive you home,” This wasn't the first time I had driven her to the penthouse as J. I'd done it s few times, including her first time at La Haven.

“Thank you, but could you take me to this location instead,”

I nodded, taking a look at the text I'd sent her as Savio.

We climbed into my BMW, started the engine, and drove through Manhattan with my mask on while Skylar had been trying Elena's cell, but she wasn't picking up.

We climbed out of the car, and I parked the car near my penthouse. Skylar was still preoccupied with getting through to Elena, and I was still trying to figure out my next course of action when Polo and Rio— two of my men— stepped out of my place.

Instantly, the hairs on my skin stood in awareness and a familiar feeling of dread settled down my spine.

“Scendi!” Down!

I yelled and skittered towards Skylar, shoving her to the ground with my body on top of hers as gunfire rang out. The booming sound pummeled towards us, and the next thing

I felt was instant pain and blood trailing from my face.