Page 323 of The Devil's Fire

Three shots.

Bodies hit the ground, dropping like flies. I moved fast, unloading rounds with each shot tearing through flesh and bone before taking cover behind a car. We had them surrounded, making it easier to take them out with them in the center. They were trying to take cover, but my men didn’t allow them.

My gaze landed on the car where Althaia was. Giovanni was shielding her while in the process of getting her to the car to get her to safety, while Luca had their backs covered.

As I prepared to move again, shots rang out from a different direction, and targeted them. I followed Luca’s aim and noticed one of Maximo’s men taking cover beyond Luca’s reach.

While Luca kept him occupied, Giovanni quickly got into the car with Althaia. I moved between the vehicles, crouching low as I approached from behind. The idiot was too focused on taking cover from Luca’s gunfire that he was oblivious to my presence.

I gave a nod to Luca to let him know I would take care of it, and they could get out of here.

The bastard was seconds away from pulling the trigger again as they were all getting in the car, but I slammed the back of his head with the rear of the rifle. He crumpled to the ground with a thud as I kicked his gun aside, and I relentlessly pounded his face into the pavement.

“You. Dare. To. Fucking. Shoot. At. My. Wife?!” Each word was punctuated by the merciless blows from the rifle.

His face turned unrecognizable, blood splattering everywhere. I turned the rifle around and pulled the trigger, ending his life with a single shot. The bullet tore through his neck, creating a gaping hole that spewed blood as he choked before becoming lifeless.

I glanced over at my men, confirming that they had finished them all off. The distant noise of an approaching car caught my attention, leading me to aim my rifle in that direction.

“Hold your fire!” I ordered my men as I recognized the car. “What are you doing here? Leave, madre.” I glared at her driver for bringing her here when she stepped out.

“Maximo is on his way. I tried to talk to him, but he wouldn’t listen.” My mother ignored me and looked at the dead bodies spread around.

“What happened?” I asked with a frown. She put her hands on her hips and let out a sigh.

“I don’t know. I went to the restroom, and the minute I got out, I saw Althaia in the process of banging Miciela’s head against the table.”

My frown deepened. Before I could ask anything else, the screech of tires made me turn around.

“Get inside. Now.” I closed the car door, making sure my mother was safe before approaching Maximo. His men aimed at me as I walked up to him, but he signaled for them to lower their guns when he faced me.

“Damiano, I demand an explanation!” He roared when I stopped in front of him. “Care to explain why you’re protecting a woman who hurt my sister?” Maximo hissed as he brought his sister out.

I looked at Miciela, her face all messed up with blood gushing out of her mouth. I tilted my head to the side before letting out a small chuckle and shaking my head.

My wife is truly a covert psychopath.

My reaction only fueled Maximo’s anger, and I half-expected smoke to come out of his ears if that were possible.

“You better deliver that woman’s head to me right now!” He yelled. I shot him a sharp look and stepped closer.

“What did you say?” My voice went deadly low, my face darkening as I stared at him.

“That woman -”

“That woman you’re talking about.” I cut him off. “Is my wife.”

His eyes widened, and he began to say something, but I had no interest in hearing it. Moving fast, I grabbed him, locking him in a tight headlock with my gun pressed against his temple. His men aimed at me once again, but they hesitated to fire as I used him as a shield while backing away.

“We have an alliance! You cannot do this!” Maximo wheezed, and I clicked my tongue at him.

“I can. Your sister broke it, and now you have to face the consequences for going after my wife.” I growled out. Althaia was not a violent person by any means. Miciela must have done something to make her react like that.

“Tell them to drop the guns or you’re dead.” I warned him. Instead of complying, he attempted to free himself.

I pressed the gun into his head, my patience wearing thin.

“Now! Tell them to drop them, and I will let you go.” My grip tightened around his neck, his face turning red before he finally signaled for them to surrender their weapons.

---