Page 43 of His Stolen Bride

She screams and rushes to me. “I didn’t see him.”

I catch her in my arms. “What are you doing out here? Where’s Leo?”

“With Gianna. I can help.” She pulls from my hold and looks at the machinery. “.50 cal.”

“Yes.” I want to tell her to go back inside, to stay safe, but when she grips the back of the gun mount and starts to push, I join her. “You shouldn’t be out here.”

“Why is that?” She grits her teeth as we gain momentum, the gun wobbling as we move across the terrain and around the side of the house.

“Because I love you.”

“I love you, too. So that doesn’t make sense.”

“Too dangerous.” I shove hard so we make it onto the marble patio next to the pool. A few slugs bounce off the front of the gun, but it’s armored. Being back here is the safest place on the estate right now. We push past my injured men, some of them dead.

“Is Fernando still alive?”

“I think so.” I slow as we reach the start of the vineyard, then stop as we pass the stone wall.

I take her arms and push her down behind the centuries-old stone. “Stay here and cover your ears.”

“I can help.” She tries to get up.

“You have.” I kiss her hard as Lucenzo crab walks to us from the other side of the garden. “Lock the wheels,” I order him, then return to my beautiful soul. “Promise me you’ll stay down.”

She bites her lip, then nods. “I promise.”

“Good.” I kiss her forehead, then jump onto the machinery.

These vineyards are older than anything I can remember, but it’s time for something new. The Carrera line is ending right along with the vines in front of me.

“Ears,” I call to Bella, and she presses her palms against them.

With a war cry, I start to fire. The vines shred immediately under the onslaught. Grape juice and blood mingle, watering the soil as I fire relentlessly, mowing down any Carrera man in range. The din is unbearable, the kickback strong enough to break a rib, but I hold on to the rigging and fire until the machine is empty.

When the smoke clears, all is destruction, the vineyards reduced to ruin and bodies littering the rows.

I jump from the gun and sit beside Bella, then wait for the ringing in my ears to stop. Movement at the corner of my house gets my attention, and I raise my gun.

But it’s Cato. He’s brought a small army with him, from the looks of it, and they fan out around the villa.

“About fucking time,” I yell and get to my feet, then help Bella up, careful to guide her behind the safety of the armored gun.

“Did we miss it?” He smirks.

“Asshole.” I grin and embrace him.

I’m about to chide him some more when a scream rips from the house and someone falls from the master bedroom window.

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