Page 116 of Brutal Legacy

Trouble. I’d been waiting for the Ravellis to show up, and here they were, but in a greater number than I’d expected.Damn it.

I reached for my phone just as a shot rang out. I whirled Georgia around and covered her with my body, dropping us both to the ground, just behind a hulking boat lift. The shot flew over our heads, and a hail of fire exploded from behind us.

“What the hell?” Georgia gasped, scared. She gripped my arm. “Who is that?”

“My people are following us. I need you to get onto this yacht, go down to the bottom level, and lock yourself in the bathroom. I’ll take care of everything else.”

“Are these Ravellis?” she gasped.

“Yes, they are, and they’re here for you,” I told her, peering over the top of the boat lift. My gun was in my hand, and I was ready to take out the threat.

Georgia’s hand shook in mine, and I glanced at her.

“Don’t be scared. You’re not going anywhere. No power on this fucking planet could take you from me. I won’t let them.”

She blinked at me, the conviction in my voice ringing true. I’d never said anything truer than that.

“Now, when I say go, you go, and you don’t look back.” I was taking her high-heeled shoes off for her as I spoke. I pressed one into her hand, spiked heel facing outwards. It never hurt to have a weapon.

She nodded, letting me guide her to the very side of the boat lift.

“Now, go!” I urged and started to shoot.

I covered her, and she ran as fast as she could, her bare feet slapping the sidewalk. She didn’t draw their fire. So, that meant they were probably instructed to bring her back alive. I didn’t know if Prosecutor Bellisario had done his duty and ratted on the Ravellis yet or not, but it seemed their plan hadn’t changed yet. Get the girl and use her to twist her father’s arm.

Well, it was too fucking late for that.

I was her husband, and no one would get through me.

Four men spreadout in front of me, their movements precise and controlled. Trained fighters. No wasted steps. Four more took off behind me, aiming for my team, already running toward me. I tossed my gun. Covering Georgia had left me out of bullets. I’d have to do this the old-fashioned way.

The first guy struck fast, a sharp jab aimed at my face. I slipped left, feeling the punch rush past my cheek, and drove my elbow into his ribs. He let out a grunt and staggered back, but I had no time to follow up. The second attacker was already closing in, his foot snapping toward my stomach.

I caught his leg midair and twisted hard. His body spun sideways, his balance gone. Before he could recover, I slammed my knee into his chest and shoved him backward. He toppled over the edge of the dock, and a splash echoed in the night.

The third man, a thick-set bruiser, came at me with a heavy swing. I barely ducked in time, his fist cutting through the airabove my head. I countered with a sharp strike to his throat. He choked, stumbling back and gasping for air.

Then I saw the glint of steel.

The fourth fighter, faster than the rest, lunged at me with a knife. I twisted my body just as the blade slashed past, barely missing my side. I flashed my hand out, grabbing his wrist, and with a sharp wrench, I turned his own weapon against him. The blade buried itself in his thigh. His scream tore through the silence.

Behind me, movement. I turned. The first attacker had recovered and launched a spinning kick. I stepped in, cutting off his momentum, and caught him mid-turn. A quick sweep took his legs out, sending him crashing onto the dock.

That left only the bruiser. He stood there, panting, fists still raised but unsteady. I wiped my lip, feeling the sting in my knuckles.

“Still want to do this?” I asked, my voice calm.

His eyes flicked to the bodies around us. He hesitated. Then, slowly, he stepped back. Once. Twice. Then he disappeared into the darkness.

I tore my eyes from the sight of Ravellis fleeing me and my team and nodded to Ettore to give chase.

“Ehi, bastardo! Guardate qui!”

I spun toward the shout just in time to see Georgia, her yellow dress bloodied, her body held against her attacker. Some motherfucker had caught her on the yacht.

“Santori! Stop right now, or she won’t make it to tomorrow. Put your hands up!”

The rest of my security had moved away, chasing down the remaining Ravellis who had made the worst mistake of their lives tonight by showing up at the marina.

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