Page 48 of His Bride

I drop to the floor, crawling beneath a nearby table. The lace tablecloth offers flimsy protection, but it’s better than nothing. My fingers dig into the plush carpet as I try to make sense of the mayhem.

“Adriana!” My mother’s voice, high and terrified. Where is she?

I peer out, searching desperately. People running. A vase shatters. Another shot.

My breath comes in ragged gasps. This can’t be happening. Not here. Not now.

Who’s shooting? Why? Is it because of Father’s deal? Because of Dante?

Oh God, what if they’re here for me?

A flash of chestnut hair catches my eye. Valentina. She’s looking for me, her head swiveling frantically.

“Val!” I hiss, waving desperately. “Get down!”

She spots me, relief flooding her face. She takes a step towards me–

The gunshot is deafening.

Valentina’s eyes go wide. A crimson stain blooms across her pale blue dress like spilled wine. Time slows to a crawl as she crumples to the ground.

“No!” The scream tears from my throat, raw and loud.

I want to run to her, but my body won’t obey. I’m frozen, horror rooting me to the spot. This isn’t real. It can’t be real.

A blur of motion catches my eye. Enzo. He moves like a panther, all coiled power and lethal speed. In an instant, he’s on the shooter.

They collide with bone-jarring force. The gun skitters across the floor as Enzo tackles the man to the ground. His fist connects with a sickening crunch.

“Stay down!” Enzo snarls, pinning the attacker.

I tear my eyes away from the brutal struggle, back to where my friend lies motionless. Blood pools beneath her, staining the expensive carpet.

“Someone help her!” I manage to choke out, my voice drowned in the chaos.

My paralysis breaks and I rush to Valentina’s side, dropping to my knees beside her. The metallic scent of blood fills my nostrils, making me gag.

“Val?” I cradle her head in my lap, pushing her chestnut hair away from her face. “Stay with me, please.”

Her eyes flutter open, unfocused. “Adri?” she mutters, her voice weak.

Tears blur my vision. “I’m here. You’re going to be okay.”

But even as I say it, I know it might be a lie. There’s so much blood.

“It hurts,” she whimpers, gripping my hand.

I squeeze back, trying to pour all my strength into her. “Help is coming. Just hold on.”

My mind races. Where are the emergency services? Why is it taking so long?

“Remember when we were kids?” I say, desperate to keep her conscious. “And we’d sneak out to watch the stars?”

A ghost of a smile flickers across her pale lips. “You… always got us lost.”

I choke out a laugh that’s more of a sob. “Yeah, but you always got us home.”

Her eyes start to drift closed.

---