Page 102 of Naughty Santa Daddy

“Or she might do something stupid and get us all killed.”

“I’m right here, asshole. Don’t talk about me like I’m not.”

“Asshole?”

“This isn’t the time for either of you to let your stubborn nature take control.” Emilio checks his gun for ammo. “We need to find Gio so we can end this.”

Emilio doesn’t come right out and say the words, but he seems to be on my side, and for that, I’m grateful.

Massimo darts his eyes from me to his brother and back again before shoving his gun against my chest and taking the knife from my other hand. When I look at him with confusion, he rolls his eyes. “I’ll feel more comfortable if you have the better weapon.”

So would I.

I smile despite the situation clearly not calling for it. “Thanks.”

“You can thank me later.”

The sound of a snapping twig has all three of us whirling around. The man I saw that reminded me of Gaspare walks toward us, a rifle pointed in our direction.

“Gio,” Massimo says on a breath, a hint of sadness in his tone.“Mi fidavo di te e tu mi tradisci.”

“Probably shouldn’t have,” Gio says dryly.

“If you’re going to kill us, do it already,” Emilio challenges.

“If I were going to kill you, you’d be dead.” Gio moves closer. My instincts scream at me to back up, but I refuse to give in. “I’m a much better shot than what you saw today. And for the record,” he continues, “Gaspare is my brother.” Gio shifts his focus to me. “I believe you know our employer.”

Puzzle pieces begin to click into place as an onslaught of memories from my childhood assault my senses. “Colton Bernard.”

Years of rage simmer in my blood, and my vision becomes hazy. I lift my hand and point the gun at Gio’s head.

“Go ahead,” he taunts. “But if you kill me, a lot of questions will go unanswered. Gaspare certainly won’t talk.”

Understanding my predicament, I lower my aim and pull the trigger, sending a bullet through the fucker’s thigh. He howls in pain, and satisfaction slowly replaces the rage.

“Load him into the SUV,” Massimo orders his brother. “We’ll take them to the shed.”

“The shed?” I ask, following the men to the vehicle.

Massimo stops and turns to face me. “Hadley, the shed is not the place for you.”

“Why? Because you do bad things there?” When he doesn’t answer, I ask another question. “Is that where you’ve been the nights you came home covered in blood?”

“Yes,” he responds without hesitation.

“Then I’m coming.”

Chapter 18

Angera Allen

Angera Allen

Massimo

“Gesù!” I curse out.

Hadley’s face tightens with anger, “Like I said. I’m going—end of story. I don’t care what you think; this has to do with me, and I’m going. No fucking way—”

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