Page 33 of Christmas Vows with the Devil

I drop to one knee, gritting my teeth against the searing heat. I’ve been hit.

Shit.

I press a hand to my side, feeling the warm, sticky blood oozing between my fingers. I don’t have time for this.

I can’t stop now.

Not while they’re still out there.

Not while Gia huddles beside me, fighting to keep her tears silent.

“Dante!” Gia’s voice is full of panic.

“I said stay down!” I bark, clutching my side as I fire off another round.

She doesn’t listen. Of course, she doesn’t.

She crawls closer, her hands trembling as she reaches for me.

“You’re bleeding.”

“I’m fine.”

The pain is worse than I expected, but I can’t let her see that. I can’t let her see me weak. Not now.

Another shot whizzes past us. We’re pinned down, but I know they’ll move in soon. I have to act fast.

I glance around, trying to figure out our next move. The house is too far away. We won’t make it back inside without getting shot. The only cover we have is the tree, but it’s not enough.

Leo and Roman are army-crawling through the snow, using shrubs and boulders for cover, trying to get closer.

We’re in this together.

The Manzos and the Vitales might not be friendly, but tonight, we have a common enemy.

More footsteps. They’re getting closer. I can hear them, moving carefully through the snow.

I turn to Gia. Her face is pale, eyes wide with fear. I can’t protect her from my world anymore.

“I need you to run,” I say, my voice low but firm.

“What? Are you insane? I’m not leaving you.”

“Gia, listen to me.” I grab her shoulders, forcing her to meet my gaze. “You need to get inside. Get Matteo. Lock the doors. Don’t let anyone in.”

Her eyes fill with tears. She nods, yet still she hesitates.

This damn stubborn woman is going to be the death of me.

Then everything goes black.

Chapter Eleven

Gia

The sun hasn’t risen yet and an inky sky envelops the lodge in a velvety softness, creating a false sense of security. But the cold seeps in despite the fire roaring in the hearth, a reminder that we’re not safe.

We’re never safe.

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