Page 15 of Triplets for the Mafia Prince

I take the exit and pull the car onto the shoulder of the road. Glancing at Nic's still form, I take a deep breath and step out of the car and walk to the back of the car. The trunk pops open with a soft click.

I first see my suitcase and remember the phone Ava gave me. I lied to Nic about having one, something I can’t decide is a good or bad thing. He’d probably take it from me, maybe even throwit away like he did his phone. I’m sure no one can track this one, though. Ava would have made sure of that.

I quickly open my case and pull out the phone, deciding I want it with me. For a moment, I consider calling Ava, but I can’t count on Nic staying passed out. What if he wakes up and then decides to kill me for defying him?

Instead, I shove the phone into my back jeans pocket. I close my case and then rummage around the trunk. Sure enough, in the spare wheel well, there’s a white box. I lift the box out, and just as I slam the trunk shut, a shadow falls over me. Nic stands with his gun pointed directly at me, his eyes dark and intense.

I scream and shuffle to the other side of the car, ducking down.

“What the fuck are you doing?”

I peek over the edge of the car, knowing I can’t hide. He’s still standing on the passenger side, his gun pointed in my direction, his other hand on the trunk, as if it’s holding him up.

Anger flares in my chest, mixing with fear and frustration. I hold up the first aid kit. “I was thinking you needed to deal with that hole in your side before you bleed to death.”

Nic lowers the gun slightly, but his expression remains guarded. "I told you not to stop."

"Yeah, well, forgive me for not wanting to watch you die," I snap, surprising myself with the vehemence in my voice. I’ve been bold in my life, but not when my life was on the line. Then again, I’ve never been shot at or threatened with a gun before.

He scowls, swaying slightly on his feet. "We can't afford to stop. It's not safe."

I don’t know what comes over me. I throw the kit at him. “Die if you want, you jerk.” The box hits him in the chest and lands on the trunk. “See if I care.”

I stalk back to the car and get into the driver’s seat. I press down on the accelerator, anger and frustration fueling my actions. The car lurches forward.

In the rearview mirror, I see Nic stagger but stay upright. “Bella! Stop!”

I slam on the brake because I can’t really leave him to die on the side of the road.

He makes his way to the front passenger door. “What the fuck!”

Anger surges again. I step on the accelerator, lurching the car forward before slamming on the brake.

“I could leave you here,” I yell at him.

The door opens and he falls in.

“All I wanted to do was help you, you ingrate.”

He looks really bad as his head falls against the headrest. He hasn’t even managed to shut his door.

I growl in frustration and get out of the car.

“Where are you going?” His voice is weak.

“To shut your door since you can’t seem to manage it.” I walk around the car, picking up the first aid kit and then slamming his door shut.

I return to the driver’s seat. “Now, do you want me to bandage you or would you rather bleed to death?”

“It’s hard to know.”

I glance at him, and I swear I see his lips twitch upward. The wound must be making him delirious if he’s joking.

“Shall we sit here until you decide?”

He shakes his head. “You can patch me up.”

“Good answer.” I open the box and pull out large gauze bandages, tape, antibiotic ointment, alcohol wipes, tweezers to remove the bullet if I can, and pain reliever.

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