Page 64 of Untouchable

“Don’t blame us because they decided to commit suicide. We weren’t the ones that lit that match,” Nicholas says, resuming what sounds like his evil villain monologue.

“Good riddance,” Aiden grumbles.

Alessandro’s jaw tightens as he squeezes me tighter. I sink into his touch trying to focus all of my energy into it.

“So, what is all of this really about? You are working with the Vipers against me? Why?”

“They are a very useful resource of mine and I know for a fact that you have dug up some things that could cause a lot of trouble for them and me. I need those files, and the backups. I know that they are at your home, so you are going to save me the hassle and get them. As soon as you give them to me, we will be all square and you and your family will be free.”

A heavy silence echoes through the phone as my father seems to be thinking over Governor Ferguson’s words.

“No, we won’t,” my father says calmly.

Nicholas chuckles. “No, no you won’t.”

Suddenly, the line goes dead, and my head is reeling. My mother, father, Antonio, Mateo, Emilio, Uncle Gio, Aunt Tasha, Eva, Emilia. They are trapped. Clearly, they have the muscle behind the threats if my father was even speaking to them and not tearing them apart.

“Fuck,” Seth grunts as Drew wipes a hand down his face.

Alessandro is quiet, clearly thinking. His eyes look up to mine and I can’t help but notice the fear that is written in them. He is obviously running through the large list of loved ones that are currently in danger just like I am.

“We have to do something,” I say softly.

Alessandro leans his forehead against mine, as if trying to muster the strength to speak as he nods. His eyes open and a new resolve settles over his face.

“We are going over there. I don’t know how many people they have but we have to try. We are going to need a fuck ton of guns and a fuck ton of backup. I am sure whoever is on guard at the house won’t realize what is going down.”

“On it,” Seth says as he grabs his phone and puts it up to his ear.

“We will hit the unit on Ash, stock up on everything,” Drew nods.

“Alright. Seraphina, you stay here. I don’t want you to open that door for anything or anyone,” Alessandro says as he hands me the gun out of his waist band.

I grip the heavy weapon and look up at him with my brows furrowed. “What? No. I am going with you.”

“Yeah, no. Sorry, little flame. That is most definitely not happening,” Drew answers with a serious shake of his head and a hardened look on his face.

Alessandro shoots him a look before he turns to me. “Bella-”

“No!” I shout before taking a deep breath. “This is my family, Alessandro. They would do the same for me. I am not going to stand by and wait around for you guys to go and get the bad guys. It is what I have always done, and I am over it. They could kill them. They could kill everyone. I am not going to sit around and wonder if there was something that I could have done to help. I have to try. I am going.”

Alessandro stares at me with narrowed eyes, seemingly mulling over my words.

“Let her come. She could be a good distraction for the governor’s son,” Seth says as he pockets his phone.

“We are not offering up my reason for existence as bait, you fucking piece of shit!” Alessandro booms.

“No, he is right. Aiden is mad at me, so mad that it probably means he cares. Maybe I can use that to our advantage, distract him or something.”

Alessandro shakes his head, his body language stiff and off-putting. I reach up and rest my hand on his arm as I look into his eyes.

“Please. I can’t lose them.”

“And I can’t lose you,” he says as he cups my face tenderly.

“Where is a safer place for me than right beside you?”

He looks to be biting the inside of his cheek as he looks down at me before he turns away roughly.

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