Page 134 of Creed

I want to whimper in terror, but I can’t distract Creed. I need to do whatever I can to keep him safe, just like he’ll do for me.

“I got you, angel,” he promises in my ear, grounding me.

“Can you tell Massimo to let our guys know how to connect with Crispin?” Tag asks Creed.

“I’ll do it,” Andro says.

“Tell Massimo to meet us at the back door. I’ll call Vito.” Creed grips my hand, keeping me close as he goes to the bar. He puts his phone on speaker as he calls Vito. “Vito, incoming threat. We need immediate extraction.”

“On it, baby brother,” Vito replies over the loud music, then starts barking orders as he hangs up.

Creed squats behind the bar, and I watch him open a safe under the counter and start pulling out guns and ammo. He glances up at me, his beautiful eyes like blue fire. “Anything it takes to keep you safe, angel,” he reminds me.

I swallow hard, nodding as he stands and hands a gun and clip of ammo to Tag.

“Her, too.” Tag jerks his head at Severyn.

Creed doesn’t hesitate and gets the weapon for Severyn, along with ones for himself, Andro, and even Miguel and Antonio. I don’t have time to process the full ramifications of that before Creed hurries us to the secret passageways.

We fill the narrow, cramped space and race toward the back door. My breathing is ragged as panic threatens to overwhelm me at the thought of Creed, Antonio, or any of them getting hurt because of me.

Tag speaks to whoever he’s communicating with, and Andro stops us at the back door.

Creed checks his phone. “We have the all-clear.” He turns to me. “Stay close to me, angel.”

Panic burns hot and toxic throughout me, but I force it back.

“Good girl,” Creed rasps, witnessing my resolve, and kisses me hard and fast.

He keeps me behind him as we move toward the door, and I reach behind me for Antonio.

“I’m here, firefly.” He grips my hand.

“We need to move. Now, Creed,” Tag warns, his voice hard and tight.

Creed nods, and Andro opens the door and leads with his gun. Creed mirrors his stance, and I shiver in the cool, crisp night air, realizing how truly lethal Creed could be. And that he’s only falling back into this because of me, to protect me.

We quickly leave the club, and I feel a surge of relief at seeing Massimo, Vito, Gabriele, and Raf emerge through another door.

We’re going to make it. We’re going to be okay.

Then my world nearly shatters as Severyn shouts, “Roof, eleven o’clock!”

Everything happens in slow motion. Miguel jerks Antonio and me, trying to get us to safety. My eyes are fixed on what Severyn has glimpsed on the roof: a deadly-looking machine gun aimed at Creed’s chest.

That opens fire.

Chapter 39

Sophie

“Creed!” I scream.

I don’t think; I just act.

I rip from Antonio’s hand, pulling me to safety, and jump toward Creed. He spins and catches me. A weight hits me like a professional linebacker and shoves Creed and me sideways, and the truck window explodes from the hail of bullets that opened up.

Arms wrap around me tight, but I know they aren’t Creed’s in the frenzy and panic as we tumble across the pavement.

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