Page 41 of His Stolen Bride

“Shh.” He squeezes his forearm against my throat. “Put the gun down, Gianna. You’re going to hurt yourself, and we can’t have that.”

“Don’t listen to him, Gianna.” Renzo’s arm around my neck tightens even more. I reach up with one hand and try to pull it away.

“I could kill her.”

Gianna's eyes fill with tears. “Don’t.”

“You got this,” I tell her, keeping my voice calm. Her eyes lock with mine. The knife slips down my arm enough so that I can wrap my fingers around the handle. She keeps her eyes steady on Renzo, but I know by the look on her face that she’s seen the knife.

“Stop fucking around and drop the gun, you stupid bitch. I’m sick of the games. Keep it up, and I’ll make you watch while I fuck your dear sister here.”

“I don’t think you could handle my sister, Renzo,” Gianna says.

“Definitely not,” I agree as I raise my hand before bringing it back down as hard as I can, the blade embedding in his thigh. He lets out a scream. I drop to the floor, then the sound of the gunshot rings in my ear. Then Renzo is gone. I hear the loud thump before the warm spray of blood hits my neck and back. I turn to look at Renzo, the gunshot right in the center of his forehead.

“Blessed Virgin, that was a good shot.” I smirk at Gianna.

“You taught me well.” She drops her arm down to her side, and I rush over to the bed and grab my gun.

We can hug later. Right now, I need to do my part to protect my family. Because I hear something barreling down the hallway coming right for us. We’ve won this first round, but whatever is coming sounds as though it’s a force to be reckoned with.