Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 148962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 745(@200wpm)___ 596(@250wpm)___ 497(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 745(@200wpm)___ 596(@250wpm)___ 497(@300wpm)
Before I can see if it’s one of ours, the unmistakable squeak of shoe rubber pulls my focus. I pivot just in time to catch a flash of movement behind one of the pillars.
The hair on my arms rises as the edge of a coat flutters out from behind the pillar, and a muzzle slides forward, aiming straight for my brother.
A cold sweat creeps over me as the familiar hum rattles the base of my skull.
My vision tunnels, and static fills my ears as my heart pounds. The neurological ambush happens in rapid-fire, and this time, I don’t resist it.
I tackle my brother to the ground, his phone flying out of his hand as we skid to a halt beside a truck.
“What the fuck—” His words falter when he meets my gaze.
He can see my body has been hijacked, but something is off.
I only realize it when I hear the squeak of a door hinge, followed by Gabi’s voice. Instead of locking my sights on the target, I move directly toward her.
Angelo sounds like he’s underwater as he calls after me, but my singular focus is Gabi as she steps out of the SUV. She glances up at me and says something, but I don’t hear it.
My eyes dart to the pillar as the figure steps into view and takes aim at her head.
It feels like the entire world around me slows to a crawl as I hook an arm around her waist and turn.
The shot rings out, and my body jerks.
Blood explodes across her face, and I drag her to the ground, shielding her between my body and the vehicle as I cradle her head against my chest.
Two more gunshots echo through the garage as our guards take aim. From my periphery, I see them filing out from behind the SUV in search of the shooter.
I close my eyes and focus on my breathing. After a minute, when I know it’s safe, I pull back to examine Gabi.
Tears streak down her face as broken sobs spill from her lips.
With the adrenaline still coursing through me, my eyes move over her in a controlled scan, checking for injuries. When I find none, the tension in my body dissolves.
I palm the back of her head, holding her against me until her pulse slows.
When I glance over at my brother, I catch him staring at me with an odd expression as he shields his wife and daughter.
“All clear,” one of the guards yells. “They’ve fled the premises.”
“You’ve checked every level?” Angelo asks.
“Yes. We’ve got two of our guys in pursuit on foot.”
I look over to find Julian hovering nearby, waiting for instructions.
“Have one of your men get Beppe,” I tell him. “I need you to take her to the island and keep her there.”
He nods and fires off a message to one of the guards still in the building.
Angelo stands up and secures his wife and daughter in the SUV. I do the same with Gabi, settling her into the back seat.
She clings to me as I try to pull away, so I hold her for another minute, until I have no choice. We’re losing time.
“You’re safe now, baby,” I murmur the words into her hair, breathing her in for the first time in two weeks.
She lets out a broken sound when she tries to speak, but her voice won’t work.
I shake my head and pull back to wipe her tears as rage bleeds through me. God help whoever thought they could take her from me.
“Romeo,” Angelo calls out for me.
I nod at him to indicate I’m coming just as Julian appears with Beppe and one of my spare hoodies.
“I brought this for you.” He glances at my arm. “Figured you could use it.”
“Thanks.” I reach out and take it. “Give me a second.”
I turn back to Gabi and pull the hoodie over her, then grab Beppe and secure him inside it. She brings her hands up to cradle him there, letting out a shuddering breath.
Taking out my phone, I open the playlist I made for her and press play, giving her something else to focus on. I leave the phone in the pocket of the hoodie and press a kiss to her forehead.
“You’re safe now,” I repeat, wishing I could do more.
“Romeo,” Angelo calls out again.
“I know.”
I meet Abella’s gaze across the car, and she nods. “I’ll take care of her.”
When I pull away from Gabi, she closes her eyes, and I force myself to look away as I turn to Julian.
“I’ll keep her safe,” he assures me.
I shut the door, sealing her inside the armored vehicle before I join Angelo and the guards. A war of indecision flickers across his face as he glances at my bleeding arm. I can’t even feel it, and right now, it’s not on my list of priorities.