Page 88 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 4

He kicked the dead man aside and scouted out the restaurant, looking both ways before grinning at me and nodding succinctly. Then he also re-entered the shootout.

My entire body trembled, likely going into shock, as I clung to the edge of the counter where I sat.

Mamástarted to hum, and then casually went over to a pot on the stove and stirred it. One hand holding a wooden ladle, the other a loaded gun.

What had I gotten myself into? I covered my face with my hands as the tears rolled down my cheeks.

The noises started to lessen, only a couple shots here and there.

My terrified mind went straight to better times.

Meeting Christophe at the auction over thirty years ago.

The view of the Grand Canyon.

Celine’s laughter and smile.

Christophe’s paintings.

The line of little rocks I placed all along the window sill in our ensuite bathroom back in France, reminding me of the places I’d visited that were special.

Rachel and Lewis Myers’ wedding.

Emily’s birth.

Brenden’s first baseball game.

The day Maia tried to steal my bracelet, and I took her under my wing.

Savannah’s wedding.

Hearing that Dakota was having twins.

Julianne’s wedding to Giovanni.

So many beautiful moments I’d been given. None more beautiful than the love I shared with my husband.

“Christophe,” I sobbed into my hands.

“I’m here!” he said as he pushed a bleeding, hobbling Bianca toward a small seating area. She slumped into the chair and promptly passed out, her head against the back of the wall, hand on her protruding belly.

I jumped off the counter and threw my arms around Christophe. “You’re okay, you’re okay, you’re okay,” I chanted, hugging him so tight my arms shook with the effort.

He rubbed his hands up and down my back. “I am fine,mon coeur,” he whispered and placed a series of gentle kisses all over my face.

“We need to get Bianca medical help,” I said.

Mamápointed her gun at Bianca and shook her head. “No! She dies.”

“She’s pregnant with my godson’s child!” I snapped, and shifted so that I was standing in front of her,Mamá’sgun raised to take Bianca out once and for all.

“Bad seed.”Mamáscowled and shook her head.

I held up my hand in a stopping motion. “I don’t care!” I pointed to Bianca’s belly. “That child ismi familia!”

Mamáfrowned.“¿Familia?”

“Sí.”I shuddered. “No kill.”

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