Page 49 of Naughty Santa Daddy

This has to end today.

Helping him into a seated position, I swiftly check the wound. It’s in his shoulder, not his chest—thank God. He won’t die, but he’s of no use to me bleeding with a bullet in his flesh. Leaving him is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I must.

“Alex, let’s get going.”

Staring up at Enzo, I want to tell him no. Instead, I kiss Papá and leave him to go confront Uncle Carlo.

It takes us only minutes to locate thebastardo. I come up short as I find Uncle Carlo pointing a gun at Dante. My heart is in my throat as I witness him pull the trigger, but I manage not to flinch. That would be a sign of weakness, and I refuse to give this man any power over me. I’m in charge, and he needs to feel my rage, to know I’m taking control of thisfamigliawhen it’s my time. My father, my baby, and Braxton all need me to be strong right now, so I steal my spine. Enzo is on my left, but still, something feels off. “What did you just do?!” I shout as my gut twists with internal panic for my cousin, although my voice has no inflection of the sort.

“He’s a traitor. I’ve doneeverythingto give him your throne.”

“What do you mean everything?” Long-forgotten images flash through my mind. Words said in anger and fear. The realization grips my heart. “You were behind Emily being kidnapped and killed.” I feel sick at the notion. He’s been the cancer to this family for much longer than I’d realized. He’s tried to steal everything from me, all in the name of power. Of selfish greed.

“I sent boys to take care of you when I should have sent men that day. It was the last mistake I made.” Uncle Carlo’s confession has everything becoming clearer. Even when I thought I was safe, I was always in danger.

“You’ve lived your life thinking you were protected, content with my son right next to you,” he tells me through gritted teeth,while his irises shine with hate that I’ve only seen reserved for speaking of enemies. Today I am that enemy.

Multiple quick-moving footsteps from outside make their way to us, telling me Braxton and the Jokers have arrived to take their own vengeance. I can’t let him walk into an ambush. He could get hurt, just like Papá, and I’d never forgive myself. Uncle has lost his mind, as it shows on his face. The years have caught up with him… finally. A momentary glint of sun on metal off to the side catches my eye. Turning toward it, I’m shocked to see the one person I thought would always have my back pointing a gun at my head.

Breathe, Alex, you know what to do. Count, damn it. Stay calm.

The flash of the shot reaches my eyes before the sound echoes in my ear. The cry that bubbles up doesn’t say I’m in control. The burning sting of the bullet causes me to yell. If I’m going to die, I can still warn the others. “Goliath, Carlo’s here!” Screaming as loud as possible to them gives me the distraction I need as I manage to scramble away from Enzo.

Running down the aisle, my heart is thumping so hard I can hear it in my ears and swear it may burst from my chest at any moment. Darting between overturned storage drums and boxes, I manage to find some cover, but now I have to concentrate on my breathing. It’s loud as I gasp, and I immediately suck it in. In the same beat, I try not to completely hold it and make myself panic and pass out. I need to distract myself, to count through the soul-crushing anxiety attempting to slither its way in as I wait for the Jokers. Dropping low, I take a moment to look at my arm. Blood is seeping through the fabric of my jacket. It’s the first time I’ve known the bite of a bullet, and it damn sure doesn’t feel good.

“Alessandra. It’s no use. We’ve got men outside to take care of that country bumpkin you’re mixed up with.”

Enzo’s voice echoes through the building. His words piss me off. Leaning against the stack of old crates, I’m already working out the details of my current situation. I should have known this was more than a simple meet. Blinders. I’ve lived my life with blinders on when it came to those closest to me. Never again will I make the same mistake.

I should have paid more attention instead of letting the sights and sounds of the docks distract me. Had there been something that my eyes saw but my mind missed? It was reckless, especially this close to danger.

A sound to my left catches my attention. Easing forward, I find Papá staring at me, holding a finger to his lips. Nodding, I silently tell him I understand, then watch as he slides a gun towards me. Reaching forward, I grab the weapon, noticing the heavier weight. It belongs to him, and he’s trusting me enough to keep both of us safe.

I’m his daughter. It’s my time. My choice. Signaling to him to stay hidden, I make up my mind to do what needs to be done.

Peering around the crates, I can make out my uncle standing over Dante, who’s sprawled out on the ground bleeding. I can’t believe Carlo shot his own son. Keeping the Smith & Wesson gripped firmly in my hand, I take a calming breath, centering myself. The stale smell of oil and seawater has my stomach rolling, but the adrenaline keeps pushing me forward.

“Alex, there’s no place to hide. Nowhere to go. Braxton has walked into an ambush. He won’t be coming to your rescue, cousin.”

Closing my eyes, my heart is splitting in two. I always knew someone would betray me. Just not the one person I always thought would have my back.Enzo.“I thought you were on my side, Enzo.”

Moving down the row of discarded storage drums and rotten crates, he’s getting closer to me. “That was the mission,Alessandra. To get close to you until it was time to take you out.” His words are laced with hate, not love. It only serves to hammer the betrayal home.

Saddened and angry by what I have to do, it’s Enzo’s treachery that cuts the deepest. Everything I’ve believed in, everything I’ve trusted up until now, is shattered.

Every laugh.

Every tear.

Every first we experienced in our lives is nothing but useless lies.

Noise mere feet away from me gets me moving again. Staying as quiet as possible, I slip around another stack of crates. With Dante on the ground and Carlo near the building’s loading dock, I know Enzo’s closing in on me. I’m now the prey I’ve fought so hard not to be.

Do not be a pigeon, Alex.

With every step I take, the sound from my shoes vibrates in my ears. The soles squeak against the concrete floor, giving me away with each move, making me cringe. Sliding them off, I kick the shoes under an empty box and quickly take off for my uncle’s position. It’s time for a showdown, one that’s been coming since I was born.It’s time to finish this.

Men shouting and more gunfire off to the side let me know that Braxton may not come for me. Not that he doesn’t want to, but that he might not be able to. Resting my gun hand against my forehead, I send up a silent prayer for my man.

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