Page 37 of Sins

The four men communicated in Italian, and I kept watching their body language, trying to understand. Vinni raced off as more shots came, they seemed to be closer than before. I screamed as a bullet hit the tire very close to my side. More shots rang out, and Sienna shifted close to me and wrapped an arm around me.

“Who are they?” I somehow asked.

“I don’t know,” she yelped when another bullet got too close for comfort, “but there are a lot of them, and they’re close.”

Squealing tires found their way through the chaos, and a vehicle stopped in front of us. Mr. Hotness crouched and tried to reach up to open the car door, but dropped his hand as the door was sprayed with bullets. Finally, he managed to reach the handle of the back passenger door, it flew open, and we were both lifted off the ground and pushed inside.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

I screamed and tried to make myself smaller even though the car was bulletproof. Vinni wasted no time peeling out of there and around a corner at full speed. I was flung across the car and right into the arms of the hot security guard. He clamped a bloody arm over me like a seatbelt, and I had no choice but to hold on to him.

“Everyone okay?” Vinni called over his shoulder as he fought to keep the car on the road. “Sienna?”

“Yes.” She pressed a hand to her chest and tried to catch her breath. “Kenna?” I nodded in fear my voice would betray how terrified I was. “She’s okay, Vinni,” she answered for me.

I closed my eyes and counted my wild heartbeats. The gunshots echoed in my head, and I fought the fear that tightened around my chest.But it’s supposed to be over!

The car stopped, and I nearly trampled everyone to get out, but when I stood, my head went light. I twisted and reached for the car, only to have Mr. Hotness swoop me up as I lost my balance. Thankfully, I didn’t pass out.

“Sorry,” I whispered.

He looked at me intensely. “Don’t be sorry,signora.” His low voice grounded me.

“Get your hands off her!” Grim barked and pulled me into his arms. I sagged with relief at his familiar scent.

“I want a full report.” Elio threw out orders to the men, and they scattered. He pulled Sienna from the car and checked her over feverishly, then, relieved, he pressed his forehead to hers. He spoke softly to her in Italian, and she nodded and hugged him. He then looked at me, and I gave a small nod that I was fine as well. “Grim, your parents are on their way back. They turned around as soon as they heard the news.”

“Okay.” Grim ran a hand down my back.

I wanted a moment alone and was grateful Elio took Sienna toward the house as they saw his parents run outside.

“Hey,” Grim’s tone was soft, but still carried his normal edge, “what the hell just happened?” I hated that I wanted him to pick a fight because I felt all twisted and rattled inside.

I stepped back and wiped my sweaty forehead with the back of my hand. “Apparently, I have some pretty shitty karma banked, because I can’t even fly halfway around the world without someone wanting me dead.”

“Or maybe they were after Sienna.”

“Well, there were enough bullets for all of us, so…” I raised my hands and dropped them. “God!” I covered my face and tried to push the tears back, but they insisted on coming.

“Just take a breath.” He tried to soothe me, but I felt a flash of anger instead.

“Can’t you just say something prickish so we can fight?” I swiped my cheeks with a hiss, knowing I was being a bitch, but I couldn’t contain my emotions. “Seriously, stop being so damn nice. That’s not what we—” In a flash, he wrapped a hand around my throat and pushed me back into the car door to tower over me in that delicious way he did so well. His chest heaved against mine, and his pupils dilated to let me see the dark predator inside.

“You’d be wise to remember my dark side’s never far from the surface.” He swiped his tongue along my jaw as he breathedme in, and all the fear from before was replaced with a deep ache between my legs. “Don’t mistake my kindness for weakness.” He kissed my pulsing heartbeat. “But I crave you,sweetheart, and if anything happens to you…” he pulled back, and so much darkness flickered from his eyes that I swallowed hard, “it’ll rain blood.” His promise held so much truth goosebumps burst over my skin. He dipped down and caught my lips with his. I had to clench my legs at that moment. “The girls are looking for you, so let’s get inside before I lose it with you any further.”

I pushed him away, but he caught my hand and pulled me back to him with an odd look. “Yeah?”

“Stay away from that guard,” he warned.

I smirked and tilted my head, loving that Mr. Hotness had gotten under Grim’s skin. “For someone who doesn’t care, you sure seem jealous.” I didn’t wait for a response. I headed inside; I needed my girls.

“See, he does want you!” Minnie beamed after I finished my story. She was stretched out like a lazy cat on the lounge chair by the bedroom window.

I shook my head. “No, he craves me physically,” I corrected. I pulled my dress up over my hips, “he’s addicted to our sex. I totally get it because I can’t imagine giving it up either. We’re addicted to each other. It’s amazing, but he doesn’t care for me in the way you think. I can only wish.”

“It’s Grim, Kenna.” Minnie’s face showed she cared. “He’s not a hearts and flowers kind of guy. Some men write poetry, some send you flowers, and then men like Grim threaten to kill anyone who touches you.” She swung her legs around and sat up. “Tess, I think it’s time.”

Tess flipped her hair over her shoulder and ran her fingers through her soft curls. “It’s been long enough since the desert.”

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