Page 106 of Promise Maker

He hesitates, her words throwing him because it’sthe truth.

Taking the chance, Solari slinks her head backagainst his nose.

“Ugh! Fuck!” It rattles him so much he moves thegun and groans in pain.

“Down!” I yell to her.

Solari arches at the boat just as Luca raises thegun.

I react faster, pumping several shots into thebastard’s chest. He staggers to the rocks, desperately fighting for air untilgoing still.

Whimpering, Solari slowly glances at Luca’slifeless body. Then she dashes into my arms.

“Domenico! I thought you were gone….” She clingsto my shirt as I hold her tightly. I don’t care that my body hurts. “Ithought…”

“I’m here,tesoro. I’ll alwayscome for you.”

I ease her back and untie the rope to free herhands.

She crushes her lips on mine afterward, kissing megreedily with love and desperation.

There’s a faint metallic taste of blood on herlips.

When the kiss slows to an end, I try to examineher face in the shadows.

Solari flinches at my touch on her cheek.

“Fucking bastard,” I fume through clenched teeth.“I’ll throw his body in a meat grinder.”

She skims my shoulder where blood is seeping throughthe bandage and my shirt. “You’ve been shot!”

“I’m all right,” I insist, but now that I have heragain, pain and exhaustion are flooding me at once.

“Nico,” Rodrigo calls out.

I glance back at him in the trees.

“The place is clear,” he informs. “Signor Martelliis waiting for you.”

“We’re coming.”

He utters Italian words in his earpiece and veersback the way we came.

Draping my arm around Solari, we start for thewoods.

“Oh…” I pull her ring from my pocket. “Here yougo. Great thinking. As for your necklace, I’ll have the band mended.”

Solari sniffs and leans into me after I slide thering onto her finger.

Moving becomes more painful and tiring the closerwe get to the yard.

As we’re walking towards the doors, my legs giveout, and I slump from Solari to the ground.

“Domenico!” she cries, crouching beside me. Tearspool down her face at the sight of my blood drenching my shoulder.

Father and other men rush over.

Solari squeezes my hand, pleading, “Don’t leave mealone. Please don’t leave me.”

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