Page 81 of The Fox

Hearing her talk this way, not as Amelia but as The Fox, forces me to reconcile with the understanding that the mafia is ingrained into who she is. This is second nature for her, as easy as breathing. Amelia continues, her voice deceivingly soft. “I am not in my father’s chair by chance, Ro. I would not still be here if I had laid down and played dead.”

I shake my head, clearing last night from my head. Needing to be focused, I cannot allow fear to have a foothold here. My gaze returns to my target as I inhale deeply.

There is another body in the warehouse; he is larger than Medina, and I notice the second Amelia recognizes this.Good girl, kochanie.I feel the butt of my MK 22 against my shoulder and I keep myself calm. I don’t know if Duncan realizes what is going on, this second man is very adept at keeping hidden.

I can’t hear what Amelia is saying, but I know that she’s pissing Medina off. I peer through my scope, keeping him in the crosshairs. Amelia stalks toward him, confidence radiating from her, and I see her for the mafia queen she is. This version of the woman I love would terrify any other man. It isn’t long before she is closer than I’d like to Medina. Suddenly, her hand is flying from the jacket, and her clutch falls to the ground.

I follow the blade as it hits Medina’s man square in the neck, and he falls to his knees. I pan back to her and see a gun held to her temple, Medina reminding me of a raging bull.

CHAPTER 57

Amelia---Chokehold

The cool kiss of metal pressed firmly against my temple would make any person crumble. I am not most people. My entire existence has been defined by my bloodline. Generations of Mafia men run through my veins, and I will not allow myself to be the weakest link.

“What happened to you, Alonzo? What did I ever do to you?” I keep my voice demure, hoping to make him give me a second of doubt. I can see him from the corner of my eye. He’s furious, red in the face and his entire body shakes.

“Shut up,” he rages, pushing the gun harder against my skin. I know Duncan is nearby, and I keep Medina talking, hoping to stall long enough to give Duncan time to reach me.

“You know that killing me gets you nowhere. The instant I die, the others will come for you.” I turn my head slightly, allowing me to face him more head-on. “Are you prepared for war?” There is no answer as I begin moving my left hand up the side of my body. I nearly reach the blade hidden beneath my dress before I feel his hand on my bicep.

I gasp, the movement startling me. “I do not care,” he says, his front now against my back. “I have nothing left to lose, Amelia Conte. Killing The Fox will be worth the price of death.” His forearm is across my body, pinning me. I feel the corded muscle flex against the base of my throat and I know he’s trying to put me into a headlock.

Duncan should be here by now. I struggle against him, every attempt to reach my blade thwarted. I try to stomp on his foot but he’s too fast, anticipating my movement. Medina has tucked his head against mine, preventing me from knocking my head back into his nose. My voice catches in my throat, the scream dying as Medina squeezes. He spins us toward the large collection of windows, daylight streaming through.

I am running out of options.

“I’ll see you in hell,bambina.”

I close my eyes, allowing a tear to fall as I send my goodbyes out into the world. Sorrow fills me, devastation at the knowledge that I will never be held by Rhodes Alexander again.

I’m so, so sorry. I tried, Ro. Gods, I tried.

CHAPTER 58

Rhodes---Exhale

I don’t have a clear shot.

Amelia is between us, and I will not fire unless needed, not with her in the way. I wait, hoping Duncan flies through the door. When he doesn’t, I tighten my finger on the trigger. Medina grips Amelia’s bicep and pulls her into himself. He has her in a chokehold, rendering her unable to break free. She can’t reach her other blade now. He croons into her ear, his features tight with anger. I see the resignation on her face and I know that there isn’t another way out. Medina laughs, spinning them to face the windows where the cars sit. I see his thumb pull the hammer back on the firearm.

I don’t think.

My finger pulls the trigger.

Medina’s body drops. Amelia stumbles forward, falling to her knees, her breaths nothing more than gasps. It is short lived as she rises, bewilderment on her face. Her head swivels, trying to determine where the newest threat is.

You are the only threat, kochanie.

I clear my rifle, and clamber down, running to the door. I see Duncan fling his door open when I cross his line of sight.Motherfucker.

When I enter the building, the door creaks, making her whirl around toward the sound. Not a second later, a throwing knife lands within a millimeter of my head. “Whoa,” I say, and when it registers who I am, there is relief dancing on her face.

“Ro,” she whimpers, before breaking into a run. Her knees are scraped and there is a mark on her temple from where she was held at gunpoint. None of it matters. I catch her, our bodies slamming into each other, and I fuse my lips to hers. Amelia scampers up my body, clinging to me as if I am her only tether to this life. I hold her to me, smothering her with kisses, and running my thumbs on her outer hips. She becomes heavier as the adrenaline leaves her body, and I feel the moment she relaxes.

“Rhodes. Gods. Oh Gods.” Amelia kisses me again. “I threw a blade at you.”

I pull back, finding her eyes bouncing between mine. “You are okay, baby. I had you. Ihaveyou,kochanie.”

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