Page 82 of Burn for Me

‘All in good time,’ Massimo said, waving me off like a pestering child.

‘Massimo,’ Laura said bluntly. ‘I should thank you for taking me away from that monster, but seeing as you left me for dead last time we met, I’ll not be quick to fall to my knees.’

Massimo’s face cracked into what somemight say resembled a smile. More like a devilish sneer. ‘Let bygones be bygones. I cleaned up the problem of your hateful little family for you, didn’t I?’

Laura pulled her arm from my grip, walking toward Massimo looking far more self assured than I felt.

‘You killed my family,’ she said, anger tingling the words.

Massimo gave a shrug, his gaze fixated on the swaying of her hips, the clip of her heels ricocheting around the hollow building.

Huge machinery surrounded us, oversized chains and big hulking wheels. Must have been some kind of construction storage building. One of the bodyguards stood with his hand on the gun at his waist, the shadow of one of the huge machines casting over him.

I’d have to take two of them out in quick succession if we stood half of a chance. Which meant leaving Laura to distract Massimo.

‘I did you a favour,’ Massimo said at last, ‘you were just a pawn for them. A bargaining chip. Not even the first one, your brother was offered up first in the hopes I wanted a right hand man.’

Laura's shoulders tightened and I made a fist at my side.

‘So what now? You pay off the guy and then what? You finish the job you failed at last time?’ Laura’s voice grew more shrill as anger flowed into her words.

‘That’s up to you.’ Massimo closed the space between them, his fingers reaching out to caress Laura’s jaw. ‘I’ve had a little change of heart in the time you’ve been missing. I’ve fucked my way through half of the mafia princesses on offer, and they are all so fucking dull. But you, well you’re scrappy. A survivor.’

The guards were listening to Massimo, watching as his fingers glided down to Laura’s chest, circling the scar he’d left on her.

‘See, branded as mine.’

I took the moment's distraction to take the bounty hunters gun from my waist, cocking it in one smooth motion. The first guards head exploded like a fucking over ripe watermelon, but the second was quick to react, throwing himself against the machine. The bullet meant for his head clipped his neck, sending a spray of blood arching over Laura’s torso. I hoped it was enough to kill him.

Massimo grabbed Laura, turning her and putting his own gun to her temple.

‘What’s this now?’ He said, excitement filling his voice. ‘Did you mean to double cross me Laura?’

Laura quaked in his grip, one of his hands around her throat while the other pressed the muzzle of the gun to her head.

Fuck.

I kept my gun pointed at him, my heartbeat thundering in my ears.

‘May as well take off the mask,’ Massimo said. When I didn’t comply he pulled back the gun before crashing it against Laura’s skull hard enough for a trickle of blood to mar her pretty skin. ‘Throw the gun down while you’re at it.’

Rage flooded me, clouding my vision as I held steady, knowing that rushing him would just end with either Laura or me dead. He was still under the impression he had back up outside, and I wanted him not to take any chances.

Reaching up, I tore the mask off, tossing it on the floor.

‘Hideous,’ Massimo quipped with a mock shudder. ‘Oh Laura, don’t tell me you bedded that monster. And you think you could come here and win your freedom? There’s no freedom for you. You’ll live your life under my fist, or you’ll be underground next to the worms.’

Laura swallowed hard, her big eyes focussed on me.

‘So what do you say my sweet, wear my ring and live as my pampered bitch, or die lusting for a scarred freak? I’m giving you a second chance at the life you always dreamed about. Yachts, parties, friends who envy you. Carrying my babies until they're old enough for a nanny, then spending your days by my side. You can have everything you always wanted.’ Massimo’s voice took on a sickly sweet undertone, and Laura’s eyes glazed, before she inclined her head toward Massimo.

‘You really want me?’ She whispered, her voice packed full of wistfulness.

My heart broke.

But why would she want someone like me, when she could have someone who could offer her the world. All I’d offered was a pony who loved her anyway and my undying devotion.

I’d been a fool to believe it was enough.

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