Page 82 of Heirs of Havoc

“Yeah, I know,” Dom says. “Stay the fuck down.” The weight lifts off my body as Dom reaches into the drawer of his desk, pulling out a shiny black gun.

“What are you gonna do?"

“The usual, Mia Mouse.” He grabs another gun in his hand, checking for bullets before cocking it. “I’m cleaning up your mess.”

Chapter Thirty-One

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

My head whips to the loud sounds coming from the door. The handle turns from side to side, a measly lock separating me from potential killers.

“C’mon, Mia.” A voice comes through the door. “Let’s not scare the Jesus folk. Let’s get you home. Whaddya say?” Dom brings his finger to his lips, crouching below the window. Pointing his gun at the glass, he keeps the blinds closed. “I’ll make it easy for you. We won’t use force. We won’t use violence. Martin Merlo just wants his daughter.”

The entire school knowing who I am is the least of my worries right now. My heart pounds against my chest, Dom ushering me under the large desk. My knees curl to my chest, my eyes on the knob.

Bang! Bang!

“I’m running out of patience, Mia,” the voice says. “Don’t make me be the bad guy.”

“Back away from the door.” Vlad’s voice comes from the other side, a little more distant. “That’s your first and final warning.” Shivers roll up my spine, thinking about Vlad facing these men. If Vlad’s there, Lev isn’t too far behind, but they’re fighters, not shooters.

“Dom," I whisper, but he’s too focused on whatever’s happening.

“Who the fuck is that?” The voice behind the door says. “Don’t be a hero, Church Boy.”

Vlad’s chuckle rolls through the door.

POW!

Dom takes the shot.

My breath stops as blood splatters against the window.

Then shots erupt.

“Dom!” I scream, a body falling against him when he opens the door. He holds it against his chest and exits the room, using the dead man as a shield. My stomach churns, a queasiness bubbling up inside. I’ve seen a dead man before, but seeing Dom go out into another hailstorm of gunfire is a whole other kind of uneasiness.

He's risking his life for me. Again.

I can’t let him die. I can’t let him go away this time.

“Dom!” Pushing off the floor, the room tilts. Fighting the nausea building, I steady myself, my eyes on the door. “Dom!” More gunshots erupt through the school. Moving to the door, my hand shakes as I reach for the knob, the loose metal rattling in my hand.

“Don’t be a wuss.”

With a breath, I swing the door open. But a broad chest blocks my path. So does a lop-sided smirk, a dimple and ocean blue eyes. “Lev?"

“Come on, M&M, let’s get you out of here.” Lev scoops me up from the floor, my body cradled in his arms. The halls are empty when we leave Dom's office, but when I look over Lev’s shoulder, two men fire down another hall. “Wait. What about Dom? And Vlad?”

“They got this.” Lev carries me down the halls, rushing by classroom windows. Some curious eyes see the action, but I’m too shaken up to care.

I caused this.

I did this.

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