Page 37 of Savage Heart

Out of the corner of my eye, I see someone move through the door to the room. I look over and there is Alaric. In his tux, he looks like he fits in here with all these people. I know better, though. He’s nothing like these people surrounding me.

His gaze drifts over me, and I feel my eyes widen as he begins to walk toward where I stand next to Lucius. Frantic at what he plans to do, my heart races. It feels like it's slamming into my rib cage and threatening to explode out of my chest with every step he takes. Why is he coming over here? Is he planning to do something right now?

This can’t be his plan. Oh, God! There are security guards everywhere, and my brother and his guards are nearby.

Please, God. Don’t let this be Alaric’s plan or the two of us might end up dead.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Alaric

Sienna's terrified expression fills my eyes as I stroll past Lucius Angeloni on my way toward the bar. I'm waiting for the exact moment a distraction comes along to set my plan in motion. I know Alexei will create some problem that will work to my advantage. It’s just a matter of time.

But for now I'm forced to stand and listen to this son of a bitch talk about how he intends on possibly having children with the woman I love. And how she makes the perfect hostess for his villa. As if Sienna is nothing more than window dressing. The woman has a four-year degree from an Ivy League school, for fuck’s sake.

Even I can appreciate that, yet this fuck stands there talking to his friends as if she doesn't exist at his side except when he wants to make it clear to all of them that this is his new conquest.

Too bad I don't get to kill this one tonight, but he's Alexei’s, not mine. My fellow hitman has far more reason to be justified in this kill.

I glance over in Gideon’s direction and see him talking to a man and woman who appear to be a couple. She's gorgeous with a great body, long dark hair, and an exotic feel about her. He resembles every other man here dressed in a black tux. He’s nothing special, but he does look like he has money.

The woman stands out in comparison. This is the first I've seen her at this party tonight, but she doesn't look like most of the other women here. She isn't dripping with jewels, and I get the sense she isn’t as interested in the man next to her as he is in her.

The same can't be said for most of the couples here.

I'm on red alert watching for the moment I can spring into action, and a few minutes later that moment finally comes, strangely enough, not from Alexei but because of Gideon. What appeared to be a polite conversation among him, the man, and the woman erupts suddenly.

“Who the fuck do you think you are? Don't talk to me like that,” the man snaps at the woman with him, threatening her.

Every head turns in their direction to see what's going on, and I can see by the look on my cousin's face that he’s instantly uncomfortable. The woman pushes her hands against the man's chest, and a second later, he slaps her hard across the face, sending her tumbling to the ground. I watched stunned as no one does anything, except for Gideon. He steps in between them in an attempt to try to calm things down, but it's no use.

Whatever happened between the three of them, the man is on fire, and he's pissed.

“Who the fuck do you think you are helping her? You don't help her. She's mine. My woman. My property. Mine. If I want to fucking slap her and throw her to the ground, if I want to grind her under my fucking heel, I will,” he screams before he shoves Gideon, who nearly falls back into the woman as she struggles to get back on her feet.

But he doesn't want this fight. It's not his style. Putting his hands up in front of him, he calmly says, “There's no fight here. No fight at all. I'm sorry if I offended.”

As he crouches down to help the woman up, I look around and see everyone watching this scene, even all the bodyguards and security here tonight. When she finally stands back up on her feet, her boyfriend proceeds to slap her again.

And that's what all hell breaks loose.

Although it's not in my cousin's nature, he launches at the man, taking him to the ground. The woman screams. Punches are thrown. And suddenly everyone at the party is focused solely on them, including Lucius and Sienna.

Now is my chance.

I watch as Gideon and the man get up to their feet and their fight spills out into the garden outside. Lucius, Matteo, and all the other guests, including all the security guards, rush out to see the fight, leaving Sienna alone.

Her eyes are wide and filled with fear when she looks at me. She knows this is our opportunity. I grab her and start running in the opposite direction down a hallway I checked out earlier when I was looking for ways to escape.

From outside in the garden someone yells, “Security! Get out here right now!” That's the gift that I've been waiting for with this distraction. We can simply walk out of this villa scot-free.

Sienna clutches my hand tightly as we rush toward the door on the other end of the home. “Oh my God, Alaric! Did Gideon plan that? Did he do that on purpose? Is that what the plan was?” she asks breathlessly.

As we hurry down the dark hallway toward a door that leads to the other side of the estate, I shake my head. “No, he had no part in this. This isn't Gideon style. He’s definitely not someone who starts a fight at a party. Gideon plays it cool. He doesn't brawl like that. I have no idea why he attacked that guy over what happened.”

Maybe he was feeling chivalrous? I have no idea. All I know is I’m thankful for the distraction.

“Well, thank God he did it for whatever reason.” Sienna laughs as the side of that terrible silver dress of hers tears all the way up to just underneath her arm. “Oh my god! I just ripped this hideous dress. Everyone's going to see everything now!”

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