Page 26 of Sinful Wrath

“How?” she calls from behind me.

“It’s business. It’s just a part of the territory.”

“That’s ridiculo?—”

My blood runs cold as Lucia’s voice cuts off. I whirl to find two men have jumped out of the bushes, both dressed head to toe in black.

One goes to lock his arms around Lucia as the other pulls out a gun and points it at her face.

“Lucia!” I yell, but Lucia’s expression turns from one of fear to one of determination. She sends an elbow backwards, knocking the wind out of the guy before he has a chance to pin her down before landing a swift kick to the chest of the second guy, causing him to drop his weapon.

The sound of the gun hitting the floor has my body clicking into action.

I lunge for the gun and without a second thought, Ilodge a bullet into the skull of the first guy, sending him crashing to the floor in an instant.

The sound of the gunfire echoes around us, but I don't care. Right now, my priority is getting Lucia to safety, which means I need to get this taken care of quickly.

Pocketing the gun, I whirl on the second attacker.

He tries to land a punch to my jaw, but I duck, balling my hand into a fist and sending it straight into his gut.

He doubles over, giving me the perfect opportunity to take him by the neck and twist.

He lets out a strangled gasp before his body crumples to the floor in a lifeless heap.

“Where the hell did you learn to kick like that?” I shake my head as I glance over at Lucia.

She simply shrugs, her cheeks flushing pink as she stares down at the two dead bodies.

“There’s a lot about me you don’t know.”

I have so many questions, but right now I need to find out who the hell these men are. I don’t recognize either of their faces, which only makes me more concerned.

Bending down, I begin to check them for ID.

The first guy has nothing on him, so I quickly turn to the second.

I dig around in the inside pocket of his jacket, determined to findsomethingthat will give me an idea of who the hell planned this attack.

My fingers brush against a piece of paper, and I hastily pull it free.

Though the moment I see what it is, I wish I hadn’t.

I curse under my breath.

“What is it?” Lucia whispers.

I flip the picture around to show her and watch as her eyesgo wide.

“Oh, my god,” she chokes, her hand going to her heart as she takes in the photo of herself. “Do you think it was a hit?”

“Yes, but I have no idea who ordered it.”

I gripLucia’s hand in mine as we head toward the car.

It’s only two blocks away, but Lucia is trembling so badly that she stumbles a few times.

I’m tempted just to throw her over my shoulder just to get us there faster, but I know she’ll just try to fight me.