Page 101 of Ruined in Vows

With my eyes squeezed shut and my body shaking uncontrollably, I hold Mamma tightly to me. The distress and fear seeping from her, from both of us, is tangible and I am terrified we won't get out of this alive.

Gunfire, screaming, sirens, and loud voices are the soundtrack currently filling the rolled over vehicle.

And I am not afraid to admit that I am frightened of being hit by a stray bullet.

Though the SUV is bulletproof, the glass on every window is shattered, leaving openings for one of us to be shot.

“Fuck, get your asses up here and shoot someone. Or at least hold them off until I can fucking get Allegra and Valentina out of here.” Alessio barks out his orders to Gio and Dario, reloading his gun.

“We are outnumbered. By a fucking lot. It’s suicide at this point,” Gio points out.

Alessio glowers at him. “I don’t give a fuck. This is what you are trained for. We protect thefamigliaat all costs. Even if it is our life that is the price.”

Gio glares, shaking his head. Just as he opens his mouth to speak, a bullet flies through the SUV, catching the side of hishead and grazing him. He yelps out in pain, his eyes widening as he grabs his ear, cupping it to stop the bleeding before he slumps back in the seat.

Alessio grabs Dario by the neck of his shirt, getting right in his face.

“Get up there and shoot. I gotta get them out of here.” He all but screams the demand.

Dario nods, resolution in his steely gaze. He shoots up quickly, firing his gun a couple times before lowering again, then repeating.

Alessio looks at Mamma with a softness entering his eyes, which I have only ever seen when his gaze is on her. He reaches out, taking her hand in his. “We need to get you out of here.” Mamma trembles, her head jerking in agreement. He glances at me. “I’m going to push the seats out. Climb in the back and we will exit via the trunk.”

“But what if there are men waiting for us?” I ask.

“That’s where Dario comes in. He will shoot anyone that gets too close.”

Anxiety and dread swirl in my stomach at the thought of what we have to do. I swallow it down, mustering all the courage I can find. It’s a massive risk leaving the vehicle, but it’s the only chance we have of surviving this ordeal.

“Okay,” my voice sounds shaky, even to my own ears.

Alessio shoots me a look. One that tells me to be strong and not to break right now. I exhale a shaky breath, then inhale a calm one, determination settling in my veins.

I can do this.

Ihaveto do this.

Seemingly reading my inner thoughts, Alessio nods once, then makes quick work of pulling the lever and maneuvering the seat to make enough space so we can climb into the trunk. I don’tknow how he manages it in such a confined area, but he makes it work.

“Go,” he orders me first.

Without thinking, I crawl through the opening, hearing the ripping of material as I go. My wedding dress. Under other circumstances, I would snort at the irony. Ripped and covered in blood, it’s exactly how my marriage would have been had I married Riccardo.

“Two fuckers heading to the trunk.” I hear Dario shout and my heart pounds in my chest.

“Shoot them,” Alessio bites out harshly.

“I can’t. There are too many of them,” Dario growls.

My breath hitches when I hear the handle being lifted. “Alessio. They are here,” I cry.

“Breathe, Allegra. Take my gun.” He shoves his hand through the seat, handing me a gun. “Shoot if they open it.”

“What?” I take it from him. “But I have only ever practiced with Dante. I’ve never actually shot anyone.”

“Well today you will. Use what Dante taught you and fucking focus, Allegra.” Exasperation drips from his tone, as if we weren’t currently in a fight for our life and this is a normal everyday occurrence.

I mean, maybe it is for him, but nothing like this has ever happened to me.

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