Page 10 of Triplets for the Mafia Prince

“Do you know of any abandoned places not used by The Outfit?” he asks.

I shake my head. “You know we innocent women aren’t privy to such things.” I wince at the snark in my tone.

“Any other place you might know?”

I think, and all I can come up with is a friend from high school whose family has a cabin near a ski resort in Michigan. “I know a place in Michigan. My friend’s family owns it?—”

“Are they there now?”

“I don’t think so. I can call?—”

“No calling anyone, do you understand?”

I blink back tears. I don’t want this man to be my only hope for survival.

“How far is it?”

“Two hours or so.”

“Let’s go there. If it’s not available, maybe another place will be.”

I find my way back to Interstate 90 and head east. As I drive, I feel the walls closing in around me, my options disappearing one by one. Go home? Death. Seek help from friends or authorities? Death. Stay with this man I barely know, who's just killed someone in front of me? It seems like my only choice, but it terrifies me just as much as the alternatives.

He opens the glove box and then slams it. “Do you have napkins or tissues or something?”

That’s when I take note again of the dark stain spreading across his shirt. It's much larger now, the fabric glistening wetly.

“You're bleeding. A lot."

He grunts, pressing a hand over his chest like he’s saying the Pledge of Allegiance. "I'm fine. Keep driving."

But he's not fine. His breathing is shallow, his skin taking on a sickly gray tinge. This man, dangerous and terrifying as he is, might be dying right next to me.

"We need to get you to a hospital," I say, panic rising in my voice.

"No hospitals," he growls. "Too dangerous. Just keep driving."

This time, I’m unable to stop the tears, overwhelmed by the impossible situation. I'm trapped in a car with a wounded, possibly dying man who just killed someone. A man I’m terrified of and at the same time feel could be my only protection as it’s clear someone is out to kill us.

5

NIC

Igrit my teeth against the searing pain in my side. I have to ignore the pain and figure out what the fuck just happened. The driver's betrayal leaves me questioning the intent behind the ambush. Did he aim to kill me or Bella? Or was it a setup to kidnap Bella? Each possibility runs through my mind, along with possible suspects.

I press my hand against the wound, feeling warm blood seep through my fingers.

The pieces don't add up. If this was a hit, why target me on Rinella's turf? And why involve Bella? Unless… unless she's part of it. I glance at her, studying her profile. She looks terrified, but is it genuine?

"What do you know about this?" I demand.

Her eyes widen as she glances at me in shock. "Nothing! I swear!"

I want to believe her, but trust is a luxury I can't afford right now.

I have no doubt her father sees her as dispensable. He’d sacrifice her if it was in his interest to do so. But why? Is he making a statement against my father? That seems unlikelyunless he was more pissed about my father’s not making an appearance than I thought.

A chilling thought creeps in. What if this is my father's doing? He's always been threatened by my growing influence in the family business. Could he have orchestrated this whole thing to get rid of me?

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