Page 28 of Promise Never

Shrieks erupt inside the café.

Alessandro grips me tightly at the waist as wehasten back around the wall to dodge the bullets.

“This way!”Runishouts.

We quicken with him and the remaining guards outthe side exit, hurrying down a stone path. We’re almost at the main street whenan assailant swerves from the bend and fires.

Hysteria ensues.

Civilians scream and run for cover.

I lift the gun to shoot back, but Alessandroshoves me aside to shield me, grunting as a bullet grazes his arm.

Runitakesdown the shooter. The others cover our backs as the goons from before gain onus.

An SUV screeches to a stop on the sidewalk, and Ialmost believe it’s more attackers. ButRuniushersAlessandro and me into the back before getting in the passenger side.

I look out the window as the car peels off fromthe curb. The other guards continue the gunfire until their SUV pulls up. Theygrab the man thatRunihad shot and shove him intothe vehicle before taking off as well.

Alessandro groans, and I regard his arm and theblood staining his white shirt sleeve.

He’s saved my life twice now. The act moves me.

“Thank you,” I rasp guiltily. “I’m sorry. It was astupid idea. I thought if I were alone in the bathroom, Zeno would turn up.”

He hisses and shakes his head. “And I thought youjust couldn’t hold your pee for the drive back to Agrigento.” He scoffs. “Thefact that he sent others to kill you could mean he’s truly not in Messina.”

I gesture to his arm and ask, “How bad is it?”

“Just a scratch.” He looks at my throat, eyesmisting with palpable concern. “What about you?”

“I’ll live.”

I lean back against the seat. Our arms aretouching, but I don’t want to shift away.

Oddly, Alessandro is starting to provide the senseof safety his brother stole from me over a year ago.

Arriving at theFattoreresidence, I exit the car and start in the direction of the guesthouse.

Alessandro grasps my hand. “Come with me.”

I follow him into the main house.

Runistallsin the foyer, chatting with the other men in Italian.

Alessandro checks the office before jogging up thestairs with me shadowing him. He turns into a large bedroom and shuts the dooronce I enter.

I look around, admiring the size and traditionalstyle of furniture.

“Here.” He moseys into theensuitebathroom, opens the cabinet next to the towel shelf, and takes out a first-aidkit, handing it to me.

My breath hitches when he backs his shirt off,revealing his firm, desirable body as if it’s the most normal thing between us.

Lowering at the edge of his tub, Alessandroanalyzes his wound. “I need you to clean it for me to avoid an infection.”

I snap out of my drooling and focus on his arm.

Opening the kit, I take out antiseptic and abandage, then wet a rag to wipe the blood away.

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