Page 74 of Phantom Mine

The Armenians are dead before their bodies hit the ground at my feet, a bullet lodged squarely in either one of their foreheads, their eyes frozen in shock as death takes them. The VIP patrons are still hiding as ordered, so no one bats an eye.

No one save Enzo, who rolls his.

When I walk back over to her, Valentina stares at me from her position on the ground. “You killed them?”

“Anyone who shoots at you or tries to hurt you in any way,” I say, bending to hoist her up into my arms, “Dies.”

It’s that simple, really.

My bicep screams as I carry her, but I ignore it. I’ve got practice working through pain.

“What are you doing?” she asks, even as her arms go around my neck.

“Getting you out of here.”

She squirms in my arms as I walk to the doors and kick them open. “Wait, no.”

“I’m not in the mood to argue with you right now. Settle the fuck down,” I snap.

Wide eyes look up at me from the comfort of my arms. “Please, Phantom,” she whispers.

That makes me stop. She’s never asked me for anything. I stare down at her, my galloping heart only starting to settle now that we’re in the hallway away from the crime scene.

“What is it?”

“Au–” She stops. “Capri. My friend Capri. She was in there with me. I need to make sure she’s okay.”

I set her down on her feet, one hand searing her waist to make sure she can stand on her own.

“Stay here.”

“Mat—”

I whirl on her. “If you move even one centimeter from this position, I’ll spank you so hard there’ll be a permanent imprint of my hand on your ass. I’ll get your friend,” I say and storm back inside.

When I emerge minutes later with an unharmed petite woman by my side, the look of relief that crosses Valentina’s eyes nearly undoes me. She throws her arms around her friend's neck and hugs her tightly, whispering that she’s so happy she’s unhurt.

“I’m totally fine.” Capri throws a furtive glance my way. “I managed to hide behind the bar. You?”

“She stood there doing her best impression of a human target sheet,” I interject, anger simmering right beneath the surface. “Perfect marks for trying to get herself killed.”

Valentina crosses her arms over her chest and narrows her gaze at me. “No one asked you to be a hero.”

Capri’s eyes widen at her casual tone. She glances nervously over at me. I give her a stiff smile.

“Can you leave us please, Capri?”

“Sure.”

“Capri—”

“Girl, he askedandhe said please. I’m going to leave you two to it.” She turns towards me and gives me a tentative smile. “Thanks for rescuing me,capo.” With that, she shimmies off.

I watch her go, turning back towards Valentina with a smirk tugging at my lips. “I like her.”

Valentina stiffens. “I can give you her number if you’d like.”

I chuckle, the sound deep and low, and reach for her. My hand closes around her wrist and I tug her towards me. “No, thanks. I’ve already got my hands full with you.”

---