Page 9 of Lord of Vice

Then there was silence.

Panting, I covered my head, crouched like some stupid little baby against the wall. I’d reacted when I’d noticed the gun, realizing that the gorgeous man I’d found it difficult not to stare at had been about to be killed. Murdered in a restaurant. That only happened in the movies. I’d reacted without thinking the consequences through, including the fact I could have beenkilled myself. When I’d managed to drive the shooter into the wall, two gunshots going off, he’d acted as shocked as I’d been, but the rage in his eyes had taken over almost immediately.

Everything had occurred so fast that when he lunged for me, I let off a sharp scream.

That’s when the whole world seemed to stop, additional shots fired. I’d dropped like a rock to the floor, struggling to breathe. What had I done? What had happened?

“Go. Go. Go!” a deep male voice screamed from behind me. “There are two more assholes out there.”

“Go after them,” another deep voice bellowed. Boy, the guy was angry. I was completely disoriented, uncertain which way was up or down, but I was trying to reach the door, the fresh air hitting my face.

Suddenly, I was pulled out of harm’s way, sheltered from the door but not from the carnage. Two men raced out the door, the pounding set of footsteps followed by additional gunfire. My body jerked every time I heard the popping sounds. Why weren’t there any screams inside the restaurant? Why weren’t the two or three women crying their eyes out?

Nothing made any sense, including what I’d done.

I couldn’t stop shaking as I heard voices all around, still echoing and tinny because of shots fired at close range.

“Assholes!” someone screamed.

Seconds later, I felt a presence, the electric current rolling through me spiking my blood pressure even more. When a hand was placed on my shoulder, I jerked up my head, locking eyes with the very gorgeous man that I’d saved. Oh, God. Oh, God.I blinked several times, doing my best to focus. Wow. The man was even more gorgeous up close and personal.

He offered a kind smile. “Are you alright?”

No. I wasn’t fucking alright. I’d almost witnessed a murder. “I’m…” Something sticky was covering my arm and when I looked down at it, the shaking became even worse.

Blood. My arm and leg were covered in blood. I lifted my head a second time, issuing a single moan from the sight of the guy I’d shoved aside. He was slumped against the entrance wall, his brains plastered all over the surface like some macabre art.

My dark and handsome stranger gripped my chin with two fingers, forcing me to turn my head. “That’s not something a beautiful woman should see. Come on. Let’s get you up.”

His accent was incredible, soothing yet sensual. My mind was so fried.

“No, I need to go. I…” I managed to stand, my legs shakier than they’d ever been.

“Nonsense. I want to make certain you’re alright.”

He was saying the words with a smile on his face, but they still held a dark and ominous tone.

“No. I can’t.” I managed to jerk free of his hold, almost bolting out the door. The massive man tossed me against a wall as if I was a rag doll, immediately wrapping his hand around my throat.

“I don’t think you understand me,” he said in a gravelly voice. “You’re not going anywhere until I allow it.”

“Who the fuck are you?” I spit out and was rewarded with a tight squeeze of my neck, his brutal actions putting the fear of God into me. What the hell had I managed to walk into?

“I’ll be asking the questions. Do you understand?”

He wasn’t taking no for an answer, wrapping one arm around my waist and guiding me deeper inside the restaurant. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the waiter who’d tried to stop me from leaving glaring at me from the kitchen door.

“What’s your name?” the man holding me asked.

“Fuck you.”

He simply stopped short, giving me an authoritative look.

“Um… Penny,” I choked out.

Dangerous.

Merciless.

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