“Fuck you,” Alessio spat.
We got a few steps away when our retreat was noticed. One of Alessio’s men shifted, looking at us. Maybe he thought he was protecting us, but his movement was the worst thing he could have done.
Alessio glanced over his shoulder, likely expecting me to be right behind him, then frowned and turned to search for me. “Amor?”
It was the wrong move. Giving Michael his back was either an insult or an invitation.
“Al––” That was the only warning I could give as Michael nodded, giving his permission.
Shots rang. I wanted to cover my ears, but getting away was my top priority.
I ducked, gripping Ama’s hand in mine, and pulled her toward the door.
Voices shouted.
Pained cries mixed with curses.
Dozens of bangs as the dozens of guns in the room fired.
Ama jerked. Her hand slipped from mine. I glanced over my shoulder. She was clutching her right upper arm. Wide eyes, a silent scream.
Fuck.
Derek appeared, wrapping his arm around her waist and half carrying her the rest of the way out of the club while I followed.
We burst into the thick night air and stumbled onto the sidewalk. We were some of the first to make it out, but people were soon pushing to get around us.
“Come on.” I led us a few doors away and leaned her against the brick storefront. “Let me see.”
She dropped her hand, revealing a bloody open gash. She’d been shot—grazed technically.
A bullet had touched her. That was too far.
Fuckity fuck!
She needed a hospital.
“I’m going to call for an ambulance.” Derek pressed a handkerchief to the wound.
Her shock wore off enough for her to shake her head. “No, no hospitals. We need to go home. We have a doctor.”
Of course they did. Wandering into emergency rooms with gunshot wounds generally raised questions.
“It’s just the skin, right? It didn’t go through?” she asked.
Did it matter to her? She’d been shot!
But she was too calm.
Almost like she’d been through this before.
Was she more involved and aware of the family business than I’d thought?
This wasn’t the time to think about that.
“No, but it’s bleeding a lot,” I warned.
“Then I just need stitches to close it.” She leaned her head back against the wall and closed her eyes.