BLOOD AND SHADOWS
~SIMONE'S POV~
The metallic smell of blood hit me before I saw it.
Nicholas's hand pressed against my back as we stepped through the front door of his villa. The marble floor was stained dark red, and furniture lay overturned like toys scattered by an angry child.
"Stay behind me," Nicholas commanded, his gun already drawn.
But I was already moving past him, my heels clicking against the bloody marble. The Alejandro name was not built by women who cowered behind men, no matter how dangerous the situation.
"Simone." His voice held a warning.
"It's my blood they're after," I said quietly. "I won't hide from it."
Carlos appeared at the top of the staircase, his usually perfect suit torn and blood-stained. His face was grim as he descended toward us.
"How many?" Nich
